At one point in time, laser technology had difficulty distinguishing between skin and hair pigment, meaning certain treatments such as hair removal could carry risks for dark-skinned patients such as hyperpigmentation. Now however, most laser devices are safe for all skin types and tones.
Tone still plays an integral part in determining overall skin health, so we consulted experts about which lasers would best serve darker complexions.
1. Nd:YAG
Lasers can target pigment (technically known as eumelanin) in hair or skin, although traditionally they were limited in their scope of effectiveness due to dark hair coloring; for this reason many individuals feared laser treatments as being potentially permanent damage-inducing processes and avoided them entirely.
Newer machines feature longer wavelengths that enable practitioners to distinguish between skin tone and that of hair follicles, according to Davis. With Nd:YAG machines (which stands for Neodymium-Doped Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet), for instance, their longer wavelength allows them to effectively treat dark hair without harming surrounding tissue or damaging surrounding skin tissue.
Tara Garrick, nurse and aesthetic laser specialist at Neinstein Plastic Surgery in NYC says this technology can be an essential helper to those with dark skin who wish to enhance the appearance of their face or body. “[This laser treatment is] the most reliable approach,” according to Tara. This is because its longer wavelength of Nd:YAG device reaches melanin within the follicle more directly and bypasses pigment layers more easily.
Nd:YAG laser light pulses work to break apart red pigment in blood cells (haemoglobin), thus helping reduce unwanted pigmentation, discolouration and unwanted hair as well as spider and thread veins on both legs and face. This laser can help alleviate symptoms associated with discolouration, pigmentation or unwanted hair as well as thread veins on face and legs.
Heat from laser energy is then absorbed by follicles to disable and stop their hair growth. Treatment plans vary according to skin tone and hair thickness; for optimal results it’s wise to consult a provider prior to beginning any course of treatment.
Your consultant will be able to advise on whether or not an Nd:YAG laser treatment is suitable for you and how many sessions it will require in order to see results. To maximize treatment results, it’s essential that any harsh chemicals (makeup, perfumed products and lotions) used on or around the area before and after laser sessions be avoided as much as possible – this includes tanning prior to beginning your sessions.
2. Q-Switched
Q-switched lasers offer more than hair removal; they’re also ideal for skin rejuvenation and reduction of hyperpigmentation. Unlike other laser treatment devices that might lead to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, the Q-switched laser targets pigment directly and destroys it while leaving surrounding tissue undamaged. Furthermore, its heat stimulates collagen production for enhanced texture, tone and smoothness of the skin – plus all skin types can benefit – with dark skin being particularly well protected (fitzpatrick scale rating 6).
Discoloration is one of the chief concerns among dark-skinned patients regarding laser treatment, but this usually won’t be an issue when handled by trained professionals using appropriate laser types. When you visit for your consultation, ask about their experience treating people of your complexion – if they have not worked with many individuals with your skin tone before then consider looking elsewhere for help.
Low-fluence 1064nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser is widely considered the gold standard in treating melasma. Also known as laser toning (LT), this treatment works by selectively targeting melanophores that produce pigment eumelanin without harming other skin cells; depigmentation occurs rapidly – often within several treatments – with most melasma patients seeing improvement within days or even hours!
Low-fluence 755nm Q-switched alexandrite lasers can also be an effective means of treating pigmentation. This laser absorbs more melanin than its 1064 nm counterpart and requires fewer passes per lesion to reach desired depigmentation levels, making this laser suitable for many skin tones including darker tones due to reduced absorption rates and greater comfort levels.
Fractional bi-polar radiofrequency laser therapy is another popular dark skin laser treatment option, which combines radiofrequency energy with microneedling for improved skin tone and texture. The PiXel8-RF device is especially well suited to dark skin as its safety rating falls within the Fitzpatrick scale’s high category (ie 6 = darkest skin tone).
3. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
IPL therapy can be an excellent choice for treating various skin issues, including capillaries, redness, pigmentation and hair removal. But treatments must only be conducted by trained professionals with FDA-cleared devices – and those utilizing Quartz bulbs have significantly longer lasting power compared to xenon flash bulbs; some even feature cooling systems to ensure patient comfort during treatments.
Before booking an IPL treatment session, ensure that your medical professional has experience treating dark-skinned patients, and utilizes an FDA-cleared device with a Quartz bulb. Also ask how many sessions you will need and perform a patch test prior to each appointment in order to assess how your skin responds.
Before scheduling an IPL treatment session, it’s advisable to avoid tanning and any skincare products which may sensitize your skin to light therapy. If you have a higher tolerance for pain, topical anesthetics like lidocaine or cooling gel may help ease any discomfort during the procedure; otherwise many compare the sensation to that of Botox: a slight pinch followed by rapid healing.
Nd:YAG lasers offer safest treatments for dark skin tones, with wavelengths that penetrate deep into the dermis without harming its surface layer or melanin content. They can safely and permanently reduce unwanted hair growth as well as treat large pores, acne/folliculitis/hyperpigmentation/melasma across all skin tones – though results may take a bit longer than other lasers due to potential side effects; just remember to wear broad spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen!
4. Broadband Light (BBL)
Laser treatments resurface skin by selectively “damaging” some cells of the epidermis, prompting your body to produce new skin cells and dislodge any unwanted pigment. While laser treatments are generally safe when performed on darker complexions, certain treatments could increase post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). When treating ethnic skin it’s essential that an experienced specialist and devices specifically tailored for ethnic skin be chosen as these may lead to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).
Nd:YAG laser machines are considered the industry standard for treating dark skin tones safely with laser hair removal. Their longer wavelength allows practitioners to target hair follicles directly while bypassing melanin production in the skin – safely treating up to Fitzpatrick skin tone type V in this manner.
Diode lasers offer another viable option for laser hair removal on darker skin tones: diode lasers feature shorter wavelengths that target hair follicles directly while still bypassing melanin deposits; these lasers can treat Fitzpatrick skin tones up to type 4.
Compass Dermatology offers the world’s most powerful Broadband Light device and was one of the first clinics in Canada to use it. BBL employs different wavelengths that target uneven pigmentation, brown spots, reddened areas and broken blood vessels while stimulating collagen and improving skin texture – it’s noninvasive and painless; ideal for use on virtually all parts of the body including face, neck, arms chest legs.
On your consultation visit, one of our expert laser estheticians will recommend the ideal type of laser for you and plan a course of treatment. Prior to any laser treatments, we advise using a topical numbing agent in order to minimize the slight snapping sensation when light touches skin; avoid sun exposure or self-tanners prior to being treated; additionally discontinue any medications which could interfere with BBL treatments’ results.
