Years ago, having dark skin meant being excluded from one of the most effective and permanent methods of hair removal: professional laser treatments. Now however, thanks to advancements in laser technology and an emphasis on inclusivity, there are various great options available that may suit your complexion better.
Before booking your initial treatment, ensure you understand everything there is to know about laser hair removal for dark skin.
How Does It Work?
Laser hair removal involves emitting a light beam that targets melanin pigment found within hair follicles, in order to destroy and stop future growth of that particular follicle. In order for a technician to successfully target an individual follicle precisely, it was traditionally important for them to recognize differences between skin tone and the color of hair follicle. Unfortunately, older-generation laser devices were often incapable of distinguishing these differences, leading to burns or hyperpigmentation on darker skin tones as a result of targeting melanin pigment within hair follicles causing them destruction while targeting their specific target hair follicle.
Major advances in technology and an increased emphasis on inclusivity have completely revolutionized how we view laser aesthetics. Now, most skin colors and tones can safely receive laser hair removal as well as facial rejuvenation or tattoo removal treatments without fear of complications from any laser treatments or aesthetic procedures.
Finding an experienced practitioner specialized in treating skin of color and equipped with safe laser technology is the key. Starting off by consulting your primary care doctor or dermatologist can lead to referrals of aestheticians with expertise treating dark skin types.
If you’re ready to give up razors, plucking, and waxing for good, switching over to laser hair removal has many advantages for dark skin. In addition to less maintenance required for regular upkeep, laser has also been shown to decrease ingrown hair risk; those with curly or afro-textured hair especially have a greater risk of them developing painful red spots known as ingrowns; laser therapy should help prevent these from developing further while using GentleMax Pro laser can even treat current ingrowns!
Laser hair removal for dark skin offers another advantage over more traditional methods: reduced discomfort. Your practitioner will apply a cooling spray directly before firing the laser pulse; additionally, modern lasers have intelligent software that adjusts its intensity according to your skin tone for an ideal treatment experience.
What Are the Side Effects?
Laser hair removal can be a safe and effective alternative to more traditional techniques like shaving and waxing. While most people do not experience long-term side effects from laser treatment, there may be potential risks you should know about before booking an appointment to have their hair removed.
Laser hair removal often leads to temporary irritation and changes in skin pigmentation, as the device emits a beam of light that targets melanin pigments found within hair follicles, turning into heat that damages or disables them and thus no longer producing hair growth. Therefore, it’s wise to limit sun exposure prior to an appointment, and use products suitable for your skin tone for maximum effectiveness when getting laser treatments done.
As with any medical procedure, selecting a trusted healthcare professional with experience providing laser treatments on patients of your skin tone is also paramount. Search for medical specialists specializing in laser procedures and ask to see before-and-after pictures of their work before selecting your clinic of choice. It is also wise to confirm they possess the appropriate type of laser for you.
According to dermatologists Shereene Idriss and Michelle Henry, diode or Nd:YAG laser devices could be your ideal choice. These types of devices tend to work well with most skin tones – even those that have darker hues.
If you have lighter skin tones, considering using a TRIA or Alexandrite laser may be ideal. These devices tend to be safer for darker complexions due to operating with longer wavelengths that won’t damage deeper layers of your skin as easily.
Before your laser hair removal session, it is also wise to forego using any products containing harsh chemicals like glycolic or salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide and retinoids as these can make the skin more sensitive to heat from the laser, potentially diminishing results of treatment.
Once your treatment is over, you’ll enjoy a smoother, hair-free complexion. To finally free yourself of razors, creams, and waxing strips for good, book an appointment at a spa that provides laser hair removal for dark skin – they may apply a cooling spray before beginning so as to keep the area cool and comfortable during treatment.
How Long Will It Take?
Laser treatments for hair removal typically involve multiple sessions spaced about six weeks apart, typically lasting six to eight sessions before seeing results; though results may take as many as ten. The number of laser sessions depends on your skin type and hair thickness/color/thickness; those with darker skin tones tend to require additional treatments as their laser light source cannot distinguish between hair pigment and their own tone as easily.
Lasers were once dangerous for people with darker complexions as their laser light couldn’t distinguish between dark skin pigment and hair pigment, increasing risks significantly for these individuals. At times, older technology could even burn their epidermis due to incompatible ultraviolet lights being used on them. Today however, newer laser technologies have advanced and are now safe for most skin tones; “today’s lasers emit wavelengths which bypasses epidermis to target melanin pigment directly within hair follicle,” states dermatologist DiAnne Davis – “today’s lasers emit wavelengths which bypass epidermis for best results; more advanced yet advanced and effective lasers include Nd:YAG lasers which are deemed safe for dark complexions.
Electrolysis, which utilizes an electrical current to destroy hair follicles and prevent future hair growth, may also prove effective for those with tight, curly afro hair textures – this method may reduce painful ingrown hairs that often arise as a result of tight coils of locks.
To ensure a safe and effective laser session, avoid sun exposure or tanning beds in the weeks prior to receiving laser treatment. Also shave any areas on your body that will be treated so as to create a clean canvas for laser application. If unsure, ask your practitioner for details and recommendations regarding preparations for treatment. To maximize results post-treatment apply broad spectrum sunscreen along with broad spectrum UVA/UVB filters for best results – visiting an experienced practitioner such as a dermatologist that specializes in treating all skin types will allow them to help you achieve desired results more quickly than doing it alone!
Will It Work for Me?
Women of color used to have few options available when it came to hair removal: waxing, hair removal creams and electrolysis were their main options; at one time laser hair removal wasn’t considered safe or effective for darker skin tones; thanks to technological advances and an increase in inclusivity however, laser hair removal now considered effective and safe treatment for all.
To make laser treatments safer for dark skin tones, the key lies in selecting a wavelength-specific laser device. “Treating with devices without suitable wavelengths could result in burns and discoloration,” according to dermatologist Shereene Idriss MD. Alexandrite devices, for instance, may cause blistering and scarring if you have dark skin tones.
Now, however, newer laser machines capable of distinguishing between light and dark pigments while penetrating deeply into melanin hair follicles are being employed. One such advanced device from Candela called GentleMax Pro specifically targets all skin tones; its two wavelengths–755nm wavelength for lighter pigments and 1064nm wavelength for darker ones-target both without damaging surrounding tissue.
ELOS technology, which combines radio frequency (RF) and pulsed light to reduce complications while treating more pigmented areas, further lowers risks. Because this method can target multiple layers of skin simultaneously and block hair growth at deeper epidermal layers where traditional wavelengths cannot reach.
GentleMax Pro offers additional comfort reduction with its cooling spray that is applied milliseconds before laser treatment begins, helping you relax and enjoy your experience. In order to make this even more relaxing and pleasurable for you, we also advise avoiding exfoliating in the days prior to coming in for your appointment and shaving the areas which will be lasered before making an appointment.
