When choosing a laser hair removal provider, make sure they have experience treating all skin types. As laser light attracts melanin present both in hair and skin cells, darker skin tones (Fitzpatrick types IV-VI) may experience complications if an inappropriate type of laser is used.
As hair follicles are vaporized, you will experience small puffs of smoke with a sulfur-like scent as it vaporizes; this could take anywhere from several minutes to an hour, depending on the area being treated.
Fair Skin
Laser hair removal requires light pulses that can precisely target individual hair follicles beneath the surface without harming surrounding tissue, without reddening or irritating fair skin tones, which tend to experience greater redness and sensitivity to laser treatments, bruise more easily, and sunburn more often than darker types. If this poses an obstacle for you, fair skin tones could present additional challenges as they tend to experience reddening and irritation during treatment sessions than darker types do.
A good laser technician will adapt their settings to suit the skin type of their patients, using techniques designed to limit any side effects. However, it should be remembered that laser hair removal may not always work effectively for people with fair skin regardless of how skilled their provider may be.
Melanin, or pigment, gives your skin, hair, and eyes their distinct hue. Melanocyte cells produce melanin to act as a shield to protect DNA structures within skin cells from UV radiation from sunlight damage and provide darker appearance known as tanning. Melanin also gives skin its characteristic hue known as tanning.
Now more than ever before, technology makes laser hair removal accessible to more people of various skin tones. A knowledgeable medical provider will deliver lasting and beautiful results, which reduce unwanted hair.
At your consultation, be sure to discuss with your provider any medications or skincare products which might cause photosensitivity. This will enable them to better determine if you are suitable for laser treatment and how many treatments will be necessary for you to reach your desired goals.
At least four weeks before your laser appointment, it is recommended that you avoid tanning agents – specifically spray on tans – as well as shaving, plucking or waxing your eyebrows in the area in which laser treatment will take place. Doing this will reduce pigment in your skin and lessen its impact on follicles that could otherwise be adversely affected by its heat.
As part of any laser hair removal treatment, it is crucial that you visit a trained and certified laser technician. They possess the experience needed to adapt laser settings and techniques specifically tailored for your skin tone in order to lower risks of burns or hyperpigmentation.
Medium Skin
Medium skin tones, also referred to as beige skin color or light beige, rose beige or buff hues are among the most prevalent skin tones, offering natural-looking and healthy-looking complexions with in between light and dark skin tones.
People with this skin tone make ideal candidates for laser hair removal, as they are less likely to experience side effects like burns and changes to their complexion. It’s essential for those in this group to refrain from tanning before and during treatment as tanning causes melanin pigment in your hair to absorb laser energy differently than it would if your skin were untanned.
People with this skin type are advised to forego plucking or waxing their hair, as this may interfere with how well your body absorbs laser energy. Furthermore, use of broad spectrum SPF30 sunscreen may help minimize potential side effects associated with laser hair removal procedures.
Laser hair removal side effects for those with this skin type typically include itching, redness and swelling in the treated area. Although these usually only last a couple of days at most for most individuals, some might experience them for longer. If experiencing these side effects try applying a cold compress for several minutes each time for relief.
People with darker complexions should be aware that multiple laser hair removal treatments will likely be required to achieve desired results. Multiple sessions typically result in noticeable hair growth delay or permanent reduction, and may take longer due to darker pigmentation of your hair making it harder for the laser beams to differentiate between it and surrounding skin.
Dark Skin
Until recently, salons weren’t equipped to safely perform laser hair removal for those with dark complexions due to early models of laser machines being unable to differentiate melanin from pigment in hair follicles; thus resulting in severe burns, scarring or hypopigmentation (aka light spots on your skin).
With the development of lasers designed specifically to treat darker complexions – using longer wavelengths, conservative fluences, and cooling devices-laser hair removal for darker skin tones has become more widespread. One such laser is Nd:YAG laser technology used by practitioners for safe treatment of Fitzpatrick skin types 4 and above.
Nd: YAG lasers feature longer wavelengths that enable practitioners to target melanin in your hair follicle directly without damaging surrounding skin, making it the safest laser for dark skin to use. You may also choose diode laser treatments depending on your skin tone; both methods are effective at removing hair from face and body but for those with darker complexions Nd: YAG is typically superior as it’s less likely to trigger hypopigmentation.
Even though dark complexions are now safe and viable candidates for laser hair removal, it is still crucial that practitioners are experienced at treating this skin type. Gmyrek advises clients who wish to undergo laser hair removal treatments on dark complexions to consult a practitioner who has extensive knowledge in treating this skin type. He further states it is especially crucial that pre-laser treatments be avoided because tans could absorb pigment into your skin which would prompt it to react differently with laser. Also avoid products containing chemicals, as these may hinder results.
Hair removal works by sending wavelengths of light into your skin that convert to heat and destroy pigmented follicles, eventually leading to lighter and slower-growing regrowth.
As with any laser treatment, side effects may occur from time to time; blistering is most frequently experienced if melanin-rich skin isn’t adequately prepared for laser therapy treatment. At your consultation appointment, a Fitzpatrick skin type evaluation will take place and advice given regarding how best to prepare for your session.
Combination Skin
Discovering your skin type is essential to effective skincare. Understanding it allows you to target treatments directly at the key areas of your face.
Some individuals find it more difficult to distinguish their skin type, particularly those with more complex complexions such as combination skin. Combination skin is often seen as a blend of two distinct skin types and this can sometimes make knowing which formulas work best more complicated.
Those with combination skin are likely to experience dry or flaky areas while other parts produce excessive oil. Laser hair removal works regardless of your facial oil production as the technology behind the procedure doesn’t depend on whether or not your face produces oil at different rates.
Laser hair removal works by using a focused beam of light to target pigment in hair follicles and “burn out” individual follicles – this process only works effectively if there is sufficient contrast between your skin color and hair color; people with darker complexions tend to experience more complications during and post laser treatment than those with lighter complexions.
As discussed above, laser treatments rely on your body naturally producing melanin and how that melanin interacts with light. Modern laser machines have been specially developed to be safe and effective treatments for all complexions – no matter how dark their skin may be.
Fitzpatrick skin type IV and medium brown hair, for instance, are easily treated using an Alexandrite laser machine. Conversely, people of African descent who possess darker skin tones such as those using the YAG laser can also safely undergo treatments using this laser system.
At the core, what matters is finding a clinic and experienced dermatologist familiar with treating all skin tones. That way, you can have peace of mind knowing your technician can safely and effectively treat you without any complications or side effects.
