How to Get Laser Hair Removal on Dark Skin

It's very challenging for a practitioner to perform laser hair removal on someone with dark skin. That's because the melanin pigment, on the surface of your skin or epidermis, absorbs light. So, it can actually steal the laser light from getting beneath the epidermis to the real problem area. The laser may also injure the skin. You must have a highly skilled practitioner.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Find a practitioner with experience performing laser hair removal on people with darker skin. You need someone who is skilled at using different lasers-- the Diode laser, Alexandrite laser and the Nd:YAG laser.

2. Discuss the procedure during a consultation. Talk to the practitioner about your skin. Have him prove his ability to choose the right laser with the right energy.

3. Protect the skin's surface by cooling it before using the laser. The practitioner can use a contact cooling method and apply a chilled plate or a spray to your skin.

4. Use lasers with the longest wavelength of light. Skin with melanin will absorb short wavelengths, so the doctor needs to use a longer wavelength to get through the epidermis. The skin may still absorb the light, but not to the degree of short wavelengths.

5. Alter the laser's pulse duration during the treatment. The practitioner may use longer pulse duration for thicker hairs and leave the light on for a shorter period of time to remove thinner hairs.

6. Have at least three treatments for the best results. Your practitioner will set up your personal treatment plan.

7. Apply a cold compress after treatment to soothe the bumps or redness that may appear.

Tips & Warnings

• Use just a little makeup and moisturizer following treatment.
• Exfoliate your skin afterwards because hair will continue to shed.
• Use sun block with at least SPF 25 following laser hair removal.

Resources

• Hair removal journal
• FAQ's on hair removal