Can Dark Skin Get Laser Hair Removal?

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Last Updated on March 3, 2023

Can melanated skin tones get laser hair treatments? This question is actually not as rare as you might think. Well, the answer is a resounding YES!

Many people with dark skin get laser hair removal treatments done as it is safe to do so under the right conditions. In this article, we explore all you need to know about the treatment so that you can decide whether it’s right for you.

Why Do We Get Hair Removed?

Hair removal is a procedure that different people like to do for different reasons. For some, their reason might be the weather. With warmer weather comes the need to wear lighter and less cumbersome clothing. As a result, many people get rid of body hair so that they can comfortably wear these lighter clothes. For some, it’s a cultural thing. Especially in many modern Western cultures, hair removal has become very fashionable. In some countries, hair removal is even a governmental requirement. For instance, in Tajikistan, only clean-shaven men can apply for a passport.

Besides there being so many reasons why people get hair removed from their bodies, there are also many ways to get it done. The most common methods include shaving, plucking, depilatory creams (for example, Nair), waxing, threading, and laser hair removal.

What is Laser Hair Removal?

Laser hair removal is a cosmetic hair removal procedure that makes use of amplified light. What makes lasers one of the best hair removal methods is the effect that you get from them. They may not exactly be the form of permanent hair removal that they are usually touted to be, but they do have a more long-lasting effect than other methods.

Furthermore, the more sessions you undergo, the more the treatment reduces the number of unwanted hairs in that given area. Also, you can use lasers to remove unwanted hair from just about anywhere: your face, back, arms, under-arms, legs, bikini line, and other areas.

Benefits and Downsides of Laser Hair Removal

The Benefits
  1. It is highly precise. The laser selectively targets hair follicles without damage to the surrounding skin.
  2. It is very fast. The laser can treat an area the size of a quarter every second. Hence, small areas like both underarms can be covered in under a minute and larger areas like full legs would take less than an hour. A Brazilian, which is perhaps one of the most sensitive of all, would take under 10 minutes.
  3. Results are evident after a few sessions. On average, results begin to manifest following between 3 to 7 sessions.
The Downsides
  1. It can be pretty pricey. This is relative to different people’s budgets. Laser treatments can cost between $300-$800.
  2. The risk with dark skin types. Yes, things are much different now than they used to be when laser treatments were a new thing in the ‘90s. Nonetheless, dark skin types still need to be careful to avoid hazards such as scarring.
  3. The ‘pinch’ effect. When the light from the laser hits each hair follicle, you will feel a ‘pinch’ effect. You’ll feel this the most on your first and second appointments, after which it begins to subside. But look on the bright side, it’s miles less painful than getting a wax!
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How Laser Hair Removal Work

The laser light is concentrated into your hair follicles—that is, the roots of your body hair. The pigment in your follicles then absorbs the light which is how the hair is destroyed.

The thing about these laser treatments is that at the onset, there was an absence of inclusivity. The lasers were specifically suitable for lighter skin tones because of the way they work. As it is the dark hair pigments in the follicles that are targeted, the very first lasers could not differentiate between the pigment in the hair and the pigment in dark skin types (melanin). Clearly, this was not an issue for fair or lighter skin.

But today, can dark skin types get laser hair removal?

Again, the answer is a 100% yes!

While it may have been unsafe in the past, technological advancements have led to the development of newer lasers that can safely and precisely carry out laser treatments on dark skin types. The Nd:YAG laser is one of the newer laser technologies that’s been invented as well as the best type so far recommended for dark skin tones. It’s been proven to be one of the safest and quickest laser hair removal technologies too.

In addition to this, laser hair removal is more effective if you have dark brown or black hair. This is because the darker your hair, the easier it is for the lasers to detect the melanin in your hair follicles. Darker hair is often the case for dark skin types, so that’s another reason you’d be the perfect candidate for a laser treatment. Now, don’t you feel like God’s favorite?

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Certainly, this is very good news not only for darker-skinned women but also darker-skinned men! Yes, you read that right. Gone are the days where the only men that removed hair from their bodies were bodybuilders, cyclists, swimmers, and male exotic dancers. Plus, laser treatments for men are best for removing or reducing hair on the chest, stomach, back, shoulders, and genital area.

Laser Hair Removal Tips for Dark Skin Tones

Before Your Appointment
  1. Cease the use of skincare products with harsh ingredients at least 5 days before your laser appointment. Examples of these ingredients include salicylic and glycolic acids, benzoyl peroxide, and retinoids. These ingredients can make your skin more sensitive to the laser, resulting in the procedure being a lot more painful than it should be—which isn’t very painful for starters, not to worry!
  2. Reduce your skin’s sun exposure and avoid tanning. These also increase the sensitivity of your skin.
  3. No waxing or tweezing before your appointment. Again, your skin gets sensitive after doing these. Laser clinicians generally advise to shave 24 hours before an appointment.
  4. Just like with most cosmetic procedures, it is best to seek the services of a licensed and experienced professional, especially one that has extensive experience working with dark skin types. Avoid utilizing the services of an unprofessional or using at-home devices just because they might be cheaper. Doing any of these can be very dangerous, especially for dark skin types.
  5. Do some prior research. For instance, reading this article is a good start. You can also ask family, friends, or your dermatologist for recommendations on the best places to go in your city to get professional laser treatments done.
During Your Appointment
  1. A reliable professional will be transparent about the lasers that they use. Ask your tech what type of laser they will be using on your skin to be certain that the treatment won’t cause you any discoloration (hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation), blisters, or scarring. The best type of laser for dark skin types is the 1064 Nd:YAG. This is also a good tip if you’re fair-skinned and have recently gotten a tan.
  2. Ask your tech to do a patch test on your skin if you suspect you have skin that is sensitive or prone to hypopigmentation.
  3. The best professionals will even have customizable laser treatment plans for the specific skin types and skin tones of their clients. This is something to look out for.
After Your Appointment

Everything should go seamlessly after you follow the above tips. However, in the event of any mishaps, here’s what you should do.

  1. In case of any irritation or redness, ask a GP or pharmacist whether you can apply hydrocortisone to the affected area. Otherwise, your clinician should give you a gel you can apply on the spot and reapply every few hours to prevent further irritation.
  2. Folliculitis is the inflammation of the hair follicles. For folliculitis or any acne-like eruptions, topical antibiotics may work. Do consult a doctor first for review.
  3. For cases of discoloration, ask your dermatologist to prescribe a topical cream.

Laser hair removal for dark skin types has come a really long way. In this article, we covered the pros and cons of laser hair removal as well as useful tips for dark skin types when getting a laser treatment. If you have melanin skin and held any prior apprehension of laser hair removal procedures, we hope that this little informative piece will give you the confidence to book an appointment soon!

TL;DR: Can Dark Skin Types Get Laser Hair Removal? The Answer Is…

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