Laser Hair Removal for Blacks
Treating dark skin with lasers is problematic due to the large amount of melanin in dark or black skin. The melanin, by design, absorbs light Since the light is absorbed by the skin, the laser is sometimes unable to treat a problem that may be below the skin's surface, such as hair removal. Does this Spark an idea?
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Protecting the Skin's Surface
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The first step to combating the possibility of skin damage is to cool the skin before treatment. This cooling can be done by touching the skin with something cold, or by using a liquid coolant on the surface of the skin. According to Laser Hair Removal.org, the lighter the skin color, the less chance there is for the skin to be damaged by the laser.
Longer Laser Wavelengths
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Many professionals use a longer wavelength when treating darker skin. Since melanin absorbs light, it is easier to reach the surface below the skin when the wavelength is longer, thus allowing the hair follicle to be treated without damaging the outer surface.
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Types
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According to Laser Hair Removal Review, there are various types of lasers used in hair removal. Pulsed Light (IPL) can deliver the widest range of light. Length ranges from the shortest at 1 millisecond to quite long at 1200 milliseconds. This type of laser responds best to dense hair areas.
The Diode is the most recent system of hair removal laser as of June 2010, and seems promising for all skin types, according to Laser Hair Removal Review.
The Nd: Yag with a wavelength of 1064nm, is said to be very painful and is not known to produce long-lasting results. However, it is reported to be useful on all skin colors, including blacks.
The Ruby and the Alexandrite are not recommended for black skin as they have shorter wavelengths than other systems and have been known to produce side effects such as major skin pigment changes in all skin types other than extremely white.
Choosing a Doctor
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When selecting a practitioner, be sure that he or she is experienced in laser hair removal of darker skin patients. Ask to see photos and check patient references. A skilled practitioner is able to manipulate the laser properly, and is also able to adjust the wavelength to properly reach the hair shaft for successful removal of unwanted hair on black skin.
Costs
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It is impossible to give an accurate estimate of the cost of completely removing hair with a laser. However, you should talk to your doctor about the costs involved and the number of treatments he or she recommends for successful hair removal. Though it is possible for one treatment to run under $100, rarely is only one treatment required.
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References
- Photo Credit sexy black woman image by MAXFX from Fotolia.com
