For many years we were told that laser hair removal is only suitable for people with lighter skin tones, but the advances in laser technology in the last decade has changed all that. As a result, people with darker skin have been successfully undergoing laser hair removal, with few side-effects. Despite this, many people are still asking – Is laser hair removal safe for darker skin.
Laser hair removal
Laser hair removal is a quick and convenient procedure that uses laser technology to get rid of unwanted hair.
Is laser hair removal safe for darker skin?
Thanks to advanced laser technology, laser hair removal is safe for darker skin. However, success depends on the correct laser being used, and in addition, the medical professional must have the requisite experience and skill in performing the procedure.
Dark skin gets its tone from the melanin present in the skin, which gives it the dark color. Melanin is also found at the base of the hair follicle, and is usually targeted by the laser energy. Therefore lasers used on darker skin must be designed to only affect the melanin in the hair follicle.
Long pulsedNdYAG lasers are the safest and most effective lasers for darker skin, as they have the ability to bypass the pigment on the skin’s surface, and only affect the melanin in the hair follicle.
At the Beaux Arts Institute of Plastic Surgery, we use the long pulsed 1064nm Nd: YAG laser for hair removal on darker skin.
If you are interested in finding out more about laser hair removal, contact Beaux Arts Institute of Plastic Surgery, Lanham, MD, also serving the areas of Washington, DC and greater Baltimore. Call(310) 880-7022today to set up an appointment.