When it comes to hair removal options, people with lighter skin tones have had the upper hand for quite some time. The good news is that nowadays there are some great options for people with all skin colors, including people with dark skin. Laser hair removal for dark skin is actually easier now than it has ever been before.   Let’s face it, these days people want to have ways that they can get rid of their unwanted hair more permanently. The problem is that we don’t want to have to take all the time to shave every day, or deal with waxing every few weeks to keep our skin smooth. This is why so many people are turning to laser hair removal.  

How Laser Hair Removal Actually Works

Lasers actually depend on the difference in pigmentation between your skin color and hair color. The laser picks up on the hair, targets it to the follicle, and destroys the hair from the follicle. People with darker complexions typically have darker hair as well, which makes it harder for the lasers to target their hair without damaging the skin that surrounds it. The good news is that even though lasers use this pigmentation difference to help with targeting, there are still ways that people with darker complexions can have laser hair removal. Continue reading to learn more about laser hair removal for dark skin.  

Tips for Getting the Best Results From Laser Hair Removal for Dark Skin

  #1 – Make Sure That You See a Licensed Professional No matter what you do, make sure that you see an expert in the laser hair removal field. This will help to ensure that the process goes smoothly, and it will also cut back on the risks that could be associated. An added plus is that you will ultimately have better results from it too. Leaving it to the experts is highly recommended also because it is just a whole lot safer.   #2 – Consider the Type of Laser that Will Be Used The type of laser used for your laser hair removal procedure is very important. Darker complexions have a higher amount of melanin. This is the pigmentation that gives your skin its color. With that in mind, darker skin has a higher risk of burning with certain types of lasers. The good news is that there have been so many technological advances made with these lasers. That means that there are lasers that can be specifically used on darker hair and darker complexions. Just be sure to discuss the type of laser with your laser hair removal technician or dermatologist.   #3 – Schedule a Consultation First Before you try to have your laser hair removal procedure done, make sure that you schedule an appointment for a consultation. This gives you the opportunity to ask questions and be more aware of the entire procedure. Ask them lots of questions. First, ask them how long they have been performing this type of procedure. You will want someone who has quite a bit of experience doing laser hair removal.   It is also a good idea to ask them about the type of machine that will be used. This gives you an opportunity to do some research on the machine and make sure that it will be suitable for your darker skin tone. In our spa we use Alexandrite lasers and Nd.Yag lasers.   #4 – Consider Having a Trial Run Procedure Done Before you have an entire area treated, it may be a good idea for you to consider testing it out on a smaller patch of skin. They will be able to test the area and see how it will affect your skin. This will also give them the ability to test the laser and see which intensity will be best for your skin to prevent burning or blistering after the procedure. Typically, laser hair removal centers will offer this for those that think that they may have an issue with the procedure.   #5 – Know the Potential Risks There are definitely some risks that come along with laser hair removal. The good news is that these risks are typically not very dangerous. A majority of people who have problems with the procedure will only experience slight pain or irritation in the treated area. Some people, however, may also have some scarring or blistering occur. This usually happens when the laser is too strong.   Others may also experience some changes in the color or texture of their skin, but this is typically not something that will last forever. It usually goes away after a short while, so don’t let this scare you away from this semi-permanent hair removal solution.   #6 – It Won’t Give Maximum Results after One Treatment This should be a given, and is truth no matter what your complexion. You will definitely have to have multiple treatments done. The number of treatments necessary will depend a lot on your hair type and how quickly your hair moves through the three different hair growth cycles. Some people may get optimal results with as little as three to five sessions, but some people need many more than that.   It is also important to understand that you will have to maintain the hair removal over time as well. Start by getting your initial treatments to reach the level of hair reduction you are looking for, and then you will need to go back every few months or so to keep it maintained. This is why laser hair removal is only considered to be a semi-permanent hair removal option. It is not necessarily 100% permanent, although some people do notice that some of the hair never grows back.   It is definitely possible to have laser hair removal if you have darker skin. While this hasn’t always been the case, things have come a long way since laser hair removal was first introduced. If you are considering having this procedure done, just keep these tips in mind so that you can have the best experience possible.