Laser hair removal is an increasingly popular treatment to permanently diminish unwanted hair growth. Studies have confirmed its efficacy across all skin tones and complexions – even darker skin tones.
Laser hair removal treatments may prove especially helpful for darker skin types as the wavelengths of light sent from a laser target the nutrients necessary for hair growth, disrupting them and eventually killing off follicles.
1. Look for an Expert
Laser hair removal has become an increasingly popular method of permanently eliminating unwanted body hair, with success across almost every skin tone. When selecting an expert provider to perform your treatments it is vitally important that they possess extensive experience working with various skin types as this ensures safe and successful treatments – this is particularly crucial for people with darker skin as improper treatments could lead to burns and pigment changes that impact upon quality of life.
People with darker skin often contain more melanin in their hair and skin, which can alter how their follicles respond to laser treatment. Melanin is a pigment responsible for giving skin its color; it also tints hair follicles. Lighter colored follicles tend to respond better because light waves pass easily through them without disturbing surrounding tissue; dark colored ones however can absorb more laser energy, making targeting them harder.
Laser therapy should only be performed at professional medical offices and should never be attempted at home; otherwise it could result in severe burns and permanent scarring. Therefore it is crucial that all laser treatment be undertaken by qualified practitioners in an accredited office environment and not by unregulated devices at home.
Diode and Nd:YAG lasers are two popular choices for laser hair removal; however, your dermatologist may recommend another device which better matches your specific skin tone. In order to get optimal results from treatment with either laser, it is also important to avoid products containing exfoliating ingredients like glycolic acid, salicylic acid, or benzoyl peroxide at least five days prior to appointment – shaving also helps the laser detect pigment of hair faster.
Although hair may return, it should be significantly finer and sparser compared to shaving or waxing alone. Your provider will provide aftercare instructions, and by following them correctly you should see minimal regrowth for years.
2. Do a Test Patch
People of color are increasingly turning to laser technology for hair-free and smooth skin, thanks to laser hair removal treatments. But before beginning treatment with any laser device it’s advisable to have their skin tested and treated by a professional first; this is particularly important when treating dark skin, which has higher pigment levels and can be more vulnerable to side effects caused by certain lasers such as hyper and hypopigmentation.
The Fitzpatrick scale classifies six skin types according to how your body reacts to UV rays; I is the lightest and most sensitive while VI is darkest and most resistant. People with skin tones between IV and V (types IV-V) typically have more tolerance when it comes to laser side effects; however, hyperpigmentation, dark spots or scarring could still arise with using inappropriate laser devices, according to Gmyrek.
To reduce risk and maximize safety and efficacy, it’s wise to work with only doctors or technicians with extensive experience treating darker skin types who understand how to use professional grade lasers designed for this specific use.
Popular at-home laser devices may not be appropriate for darker skin tones as their wavelengths can cause burns and other adverse reactions, while also failing to deliver permanent results like those provided by professional hair removal sessions. Therefore, it is crucial that one only uses devices designed specifically for this use – conducting a patch test first before beginning treatment.
3. Don’t Skip Shaving
Laser hair removal can be a great alternative to shaving, tweezing, plucking, waxing and threading for eliminating unwanted body hair. To ensure its effectiveness and minimize downtime on treatment days, be sure to shave before and after each laser session as otherwise the laser won’t find and extract enough hair to work on. It is also wise to avoid exfoliating skin care products like retinol creams, AHAs or BHAs that disrupt skin surface as these may make targeting hair follicles difficult for lasers.
Before going in for laser hair removal, it’s advisable to apply a topical numbing cream. Many patients find that this helps minimize discomfort during treatment; although you may feel slight irritation afterward (sometimes likened to rubber bands snapping against your skin), most find this experience tolerable and typically only lasts a few minutes at most.
Laser hair removal for darker skin should not be seen as intimidating; in fact, it could save both time and money by eliminating the need for regular maintenance such as shaving, waxing and threading – not to mention reduce the appearance of dark spots and razor bumps on your skin!
Laser hair removal may not be considered permanent, but it will reduce the number of unwanted hairs on your body and when they do grow back they’re finer and lighter compared to what it would cost in terms of razors, shaving cream and waxing supplies. Although laser hair removal can be pricey it’s significantly cheaper than having razors and shaving cream regularly replaced.
4. Avoid Sun Exposure
As with all forms of laser hair removal, one key rule when it comes to laser hair removal treatments is staying out of the sun before and after them; this rule holds particularly true during summer’s scorching sun.
Stay away from tanning at least two weeks prior to treatment and make sure you use a broad-spectrum SPF30 sunscreen (tinted moisturizers don’t count!). Otherwise, the laser may have difficulty distinguishing between your skin tone and hair color, leading to increased side effects or at the very least uneven results.
Before scheduling laser hair removal treatment, it is recommended to discontinue use of products containing glycolic or salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or retinoids such as tretinoin or adapalene for at least five days prior to your appointment. These ingredients could make your skin too sensitive for laser treatment; at worst they could lead to redness and blotches in the treated area.
Finally, when seeking laser hair removal it’s essential that waxing, plucking and electrolysis are avoided as these methods may hinder results. Instead, shaving remains the optimal way to manage unwanted hair between sessions.
5. Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated prior to your laser hair removal appointment can help manage pain tolerance and avoid dryness that could make treatment more uncomfortable. Furthermore, it’s advisable to avoid products which could irritate skin such as exfoliants, scrubs or retinol and instead opt for gentle cleansing products and moisturizing lotions with SPF that you can continue using after each appointment.
On the day of your appointment, it is advisable to wear loose, comfortable clothing. A pillow or towel may come in handy since laser treatments can sometimes be discomforting. Furthermore, avoid direct sun exposure before your treatment to avoid burns and pigmentation issues from developing during laser sessions.
Lasers use light energy to irradiate hair follicles with pigment, disabling their ability to regrow. While this process is generally safe, it may cause some local skin irritation which triggers histamine release and cause minor discomfort; to minimize inflammation it’s best to limit exposure to chemical creams or waxing as much as possible.
As part of your laser hair removal regimen, it is wise to avoid exercising at a gym, sauna and hot showers in the days prior to your appointment in order to reduce sweating and itching that could increase discomfort during laser hair removal procedures. Furthermore, avoid scheduling laser hair removal appointments before or during periods as histamine levels tend to rise and make procedures even more painful.
