Laser Hair Removal Tips For Dark Skin
If you have dark skin, then you may think that it is impossible for you to go through laser hair removal since the laser light targets dark and pigmented areas to burn away the hair follicles. Fortunately, you can receive the treatment just like fair skinned individuals. To make the most out of your removal, consider the following tips.
Invest In The Right Treatment
Laser hair removal is completed by shining a beam of pulsing and concentrated light across the skin. This light is used to target the dark pigments located within the hair follicle. The light is then absorbed by the follicle. This kills it and keeps hair from growing out of the follicle in the future. Since this entire process relies on the pigmentation of the follicle, the laser treatment is effective when hair is dark and the skin is light. When skin is dark in color, the melanin can start to absorb the light from the laser. Not only does this scatter the light and reduce the chance that the follicle will be burned properly, but the skin will become sore and irritated. This means that you should not opt for traditional laser hair removal. You should instead look for a facility that offers deep penetrating laser hair removal.
Deep laser hair removal uses wavelengths of light that penetrate the skin and focus on pigments beneath the epidermis. This helps to target the hair follicles without targeting the pigments in the skin. If you do want to invest in deep laser hair removal, you should opt for a patch test before your first appointment though. This will allow the hair removal specialist to find the right wavelength and depth of light that is optimal for your hair and skin. This is the best way to prevent a failed session and to also reduce the chances of lesions or burns forming on the skin.
As with other types of laser hair removal, six or more long wave laser hair removal treatments are likely needed. Also, one session will likely be scheduled every four to eight weeks, and you will likely see hair thinning out across the body after about two sessions.
Stay Out Of The Sun
After you go through a patch test and schedule your first laser hair appointment, it is a good idea to stay out of the sun. This is important because the patch test is completed to find the right laser depth and wavelength for your skin. If your skin suddenly becomes darker before the appointment, then this can lead to burns across the skin as the darker pigments absorb some of the laser light. While your skin may not always seem to appear darker in color, olive and lighter brown skin tones will produce more melanin to protect the skin from UV rays. Even if the skin does not darken, like if your skin is dark brown in color, you will still experience sun damage. Damaged and dry skin is likely to become far more irritated during the laser hair removal process.
To prevent issues with darker and sun damaged skin, make sure to wear sunscreen every day between your hair removal patch test and your hair removal appointment. To keep your skin from looking chalky, consider opting for a micronized sunscreen or a clear variety.
If you have dark skin, then you can receive successful laser hair removal treatment. However, you will need to find a clinic that offers long wave laser hair removal. You will also need to do things like stay out of the sun to make sure that laser wavelengths are accurate for your skin tone. To learn more about the treatments that are right for your dark skin, contact a laser hair removal specialist in your area, such as those at Jordan Valley Dermatology.
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