Laser hair removal for dark skin is a popular technique which many thousands of people across the world decide to invest in. The reason for this is that many people wish to get rid of unwanted or unsightly body hair, and traditional methods such as shaving, waxing and plucking simply do not cut it in the long term.
Everybody knows that the more you shave your hair, the quicker, stronger and thicker it grows back. This makes body hair an ongoing issue for many people across the world, including both men and women.
When did it begin?
When laser hair removal was invented, some people were sceptical. Some people thought that it would be unsafe but the FDA cleared the first laser for hair removal in 1995. The traditional machines that were used and the technology that was part of the light treatment was only available to people with light skin tones. This is because the laser beam itself could only differentiate between what was hair and skin by the light and dark of both elements. It would target the dark hair from the light skin so in order to be truly effective lighter skin tones were the only ones treated.
How did laser hair removal for dark skin develop?
However, as advances in laser and light-based technology improved, various different skin types could also be treated with the laser. This included ethnic skin tones as well as darker skinned individuals. For these people, the laser would need longer wavelengths and pulse widths in order to treat the hair and technology began to include this.
What can you expect now?
Nowadays, it is important that if you have darker skin, you are not put off by the idea that the laser might not be able to treat your particular ethnicity. This is now a common myth associated with laser hair removal. Many different clinics will be able to treat different kinds of skin tones now, but it is important to go for a full consultation to see what your chances of success with the laser hair removal machine actually are.
Visiting the clinic:
In the consultation, you will be asked about whether you have any issues with your skin, whether you have any skin infections, or whether you have any tattoos. The technician will compile a file which will evaluate your effectiveness with the laser machine and your expectations. For example, you might want a small area treated or you might want a very large area of skin treated.
Experts developed the Fitzpatrick skin typing scale as one way to classify different skin colours and how they react to UV light. The skin tones are divided into types 1 to 6, which gives technicians and professionals the ability to determine the best technique required for that specific client with their particular skin tones. This also allows the clinic to provide a safe and effective treatment for the client.
The Fitzpatrick skin typing scale:
| 1 | Very White or Freckled | Always Burns/Never Tans |
| 2 | White | Usually Burns/Sometimes Tans |
| 3 | White to Olive | Sometimes Burns/Always Tans |
| 4 | Brown | Rarely Burns |
| 5 | Dark Brown | Very Rarely Burns/Moderately Pigmented |
| 6 | Black | Highly Pigmented |
One clinic which has vast experience in treating people with Laser Hair Removal for Dark Skin is the premier laser clinic. The premier laser clinic has special technologies, including the GentleYAG laser system, which is perfect for treating people with darker skin.
