Aftereffects of Laser Treatment on Black Skin

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By Dana George
eHow Contributing Writer

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Laser treatments on black skin can be a bit of a problem, especially when the facility doesn't specialize on darker tones of skin. This is because different skin colors--all skin colors--react to laser treatments differently. You must be sure you're working with someone who knows what she's doing and know how to work on black skin, because there are different laser treatments more appropriate for different skin tones.

Discoloration

When someone has darker skin pigmentation--from olive to black and even tanned from natural or artificial UV rays--there can be a certain amount of discoloration to the area subjected to the laser treatment. This change in pigmentation can last awhile, sometimes up to 9 months after the laser procedure has been performed. Your doctor will give you some indication of whether your skin will react to laser treatment in this way.

Burning

Depending on the concentration of melanin in your skin, you may experience some burning due to a laser treatment. What happens is, the melanin absorbs the light emanating from the laser. The darker the skin, the more melanin will be present and the more light will be absorbed. This increases the chances of burning to the area in which the laser treatment is being applied. Talk with your doctor about the possibility of burning when getting a consultation on any sort of laser treatment.

Blistering

Much like the potential for burning, black skin can also suffer a certain amount of blistering as a result of laser treatment. This aftereffect works much the same way, in that the more melanin you have in your skin, the more light will be absorbed. This can prompt blistering to those areas of the skin where the laser has been administered.

Infection

There's also the potential for a skin infection to set in after a laser treatment. However, this isn't something exclusive to black skin, and it can affect a person of any skin color. Because the skin will inevitably be tender from a laser procedure, it will be more susceptible to germs. When bacteria finds their way into a small opening, infection can easily set in. It's always recommended to monitor the condition of your skin after a laser treatment, as well as follow your doctor's recommendation of care following the procedure, to avoid this situation.

Scarring

Sometimes, a laser treatment may cause a person to scar in those areas where the laser has been administered. This isn't exclusive to black skin. If there's a great deal of damage to the skin from the laser treatment, a scar can form. This may be a relatively small scar or quite a large blemish. It all depends on the severity of the damage.

Healthier Skin

Of course, not all aftereffects are negative. More often than not, your skin will appear healthier and smoother after a laser treatment. You may even find a certain glow about you after the procedure, or a far more even pigmentation to your skin.