Do you have unwanted body hair? (Who doesn’t, right?!)
If you’ve ever found yourself wondering what laser hair removal treatment is best for dark skin tones, you’ve come to the right place.
Laser hair removal is currently the third most sought after non-surgical procedure, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). Although this may be true, the technology to treat individuals with African-American, Latin, Asian, or other ethnic skin tones has only just recently been discovered. Prior to this discovery, people with dark skin tones were often discouraged from choosing laser hair removal, due to negative side effects such as skin discoloration.
Having said that, everyone has the right to boost self-confidence by minimizing their unwanted body hair. Ridding yourself of unwanted hair not only boosts confidence, but never having to touch a razor to shave again? Just another added benefit to laser hair removal on dark skin.
Let’s get some insight on the history, side effects, and what to expect when getting laser hair removal on ethnic skin (tips included!).
From the start…
- The United States FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved the first hair removal laser in 1995. To our dismay, this laser proved to be ineffective as hair would experience full regrowth after treatment.
- In 1998, the United States FDA cleared the first hair removal laser designed to target melanin in the hair follicle, for cosmetic purposes. However, this type of laser was only offered to individuals with fair skin. Basically, this laser light was unable to safely target only the melanin in hair shafts. This was due to very little contrast between the hairs color, and darker skin tones. In this case, it left patients who have ethnic skin tones with scarring and discoloration.
Given these points, many darker-skinned individuals have veered away from the laser hair removal trend.
News Flash: Technology has come a long way since that time. Cosmetic hair removal lasers have advanced into precise tools, with the ability to project light in various new ways. This breakthrough in modern machinery has made laser hair removal treatments safer and more appealing to those with ethnic skin.
Exposing Hair Type and Texture
Just like skin tones vary from person to person, so does hair type and texture. These factors are equally important when deciding whether laser hair removal is right for you.
Hairs grow in three separate stages:
- Anagen (active) – Throughout the anagen stage, hairs are actively growing at the root as cells rapidly divide, adding to the hair shaft.
- Catagen (regression) – The catagen stage is when growth slows down for a period of time and the hair root starts to die.
- Telogen (resting) – Telogen is the stage in which the hair has reached the peak of its development. All growth will stop during this phase.
The Most Common Areas Requested for Laser Hair Removal Treatments Include:
- A woman’s underarms
- Legs
- Bikini region
The hair in these areas grow for approximately 4-6 weeks, after which they reside as mature hairs for an additional 6 months. In order for laser hair removal to successfully work, the treatment must be done during the anagen phase. Multiple treatments are required, and recommended every 4-6 weeks in order to produce quality results.
Another key point to keep in mind are the two primary types of hair:
- Vellus hair has little to no pigment, is short in length and fine in texture. Vellus hair is often referred to as “peach fuzz”. Due to its nearly-invisible nature, this type of hair will not work with laser hair treatments.
- On the other hand, Terminal hair is considerably more visible and highly pigmented. This type of hair will grow longer, thicker and more “coarse” compared to vellus hair. Terminal hairs are typically the root cause of embarrassment and frustration for clients. Above all, this is the type of hair that can be successfully removed with laser hair treatments.
Technology Revamp
As I mentioned earlier, progress in the advancement of laser hair removal technology has come a long way. This new tech is the reason individuals of all ethnic groups can now use laser treatment in a safe and effective way. Modifications in laser hair removal equipment should be taken into consideration when choosing the most safe and effective type of treatment.
Side Effects to ‘Shave’ Over
Although laser hair removal is generally classified as a cosmetic procedure, some ethnic individuals may need the medical benefits offered from getting this treatment done. Certain skin and hair conditions may be more prevalent in those with darker pigmented skin. Many of which require a laser hair removal treatment to fix.
Folliculitis
Folliculitis is a skin condition prominent in African-American men.
Some characteristics of this condition include severe razor bumps and patches of skin suffering from constant itch and irritation. Generally, these patches are located on the face, neck and back, often in correlation with shaving.
Folliculitis is the body’s way of fighting back at ingrown hairs. This condition can develop quickly and become chronic. Side effects also include scarring and hypopigmentation on the surface of the skin.
So, what’s the good news?
Thanks to advances in technology and medicine, Folliculitis can now be treated safe and effectively. As well as laser hair removal for darker skin types.
Tips for Laser Hair Removal
Discussions with your doctor regarding expected outcomes, as well as any current conditions, can significantly affect the outcome of your laser treatment. It is important to be upfront and honest when deciding which options are best for you.
Here are some points to keep in mind:
- Every individual is unique, therefore the outcome of treatments will vary from person to person.
- Consider the fact that you will need multiple treatments, up to 10 for darker skin types.
- There is always the possibility of scarring or discoloration as a side effect. This includes hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation.
- Let your treatment provider know about any history of keloid scarring.
- Keep in mind, laser hair removal treatments cannot be given on areas with open lesions or sores.
- If you have tattoos or permanent makeup, disclose this with your treatment provider.
- Anyone taking Accutane® must wait at least 6 months post-treatment to start laser hair removal sessions.
- Avoid plucking or waxing hairs for at least 6 weeks prior to receiving laser hair removal treatments.
- Do not sunbath, and avoid extended sun exposure for 2 weeks or more, prior to receiving treatments.