For those of you with darker skin tones, there are a few things in life that may seem like roadblocks preventing you from looking the best you can be, like finding the right shade of foundation, the right skin treatment – and in the case of today’s topic – the right hair removal method.
We feel you! Nothing is as frustrating as unwanted body hair! And that is why you can count on us to find ways to help you out.
In this article, we’re putting an end to your frustrations by letting you in on an effective hair removal treatment for dark skin: Laser Hair Removal. The best part is, you need not look far to get one for yourself!
Here at Lovoir Beauty, we offer a Laser Hair Reduction treatment that will finally lay those pesky hairs to rest.
And to quote our favorite queen of dark-skinned beauty, “I talk like this cause I can back it up.” And we can certainly back it up! With impressive technology and loads of satisfied customers, of course.
But more on Beyonce later. Let’s start with the basics!
Risks of Hair Removal for Dark Skin
For the longest time, people with dark skin tones had to settle for shaving, waxing, depilatory creams, and other traditional methods to remove unwanted hair.
When laser machines were first popularized in the 80s as a novel way to remove unwanted hair, dark-skinned customers were left begging to get in on the action! But to no avail.
Back then, laser hair removal was strictly promoted for people with fair skin and dark hair. Anyone who fell outside this category had to take a back seat and watch the magic from the sidelines.
The simple explanation was this: It just wasn’t possible before! The laser technology at that time relied on contrasting colors to get the job done.
Picture this: Pigments called melanin are the masterminds behind the color of your skin and hair – more melanin leads to darker colors, while less melanin leads to lighter shades.
When a laser device is used for hair removal, it emits light energy into the hair follicle, where it is absorbed by these pigments. And once the energy reaches your hair’s pigments, it is then converted to heat, which ultimately destroys the hair follicles and minimizes (sometimes, completely stops) hair growth.
In the case of people with dark skin and dark hair, old-school laser machines had a hard time distinguishing between skin pigments and hair pigments, which meant the light beams could target the skin accidentally. Such a mistake can lead to skin damage like scarring, burns, irritation, and discoloration. Yikes!
Now before you lose hope, here’s the good news: Fast forward to today, advancements in laser hair removal technology have allowed devices to cater to dark skin tones with less safety risks. Hooray!
So with that problem out of the way, you’re probably thinking – wait, is Laser Hair Removal the same as IPL Hair Removal?
Not quite! Here’s why.
IPL Hair Removal vs. Laser Hair Removal
Both Laser and IPL (short for Intense Pulsed Light) are popular terms in the world of hair removal. And sometimes, mistakenly interchangeable!
Now, sure, both make use of light waves to stop the growth of hair follicles, but they have a notable difference that determines the way they approach hair removal: Laser devices use a single spectrum of light, while IPL devices use multiple spectrums of light.
While IPL Hair Removal is technically able to target a broader area (and therefore, more hair follicles and pigments), using a broad spectrum of light may lead to unfocused energy around the hair and skin. As such, energy is sometimes wasted and absorbed less by the hair follicle. Long story short: A higher chance of less effective hair removal.
Moreover, using broadband light may also increase the potential for side effects, especially for IPL devices without integrated cooling. That means: Possible skin burns, ouch!
With Laser Hair Removal, on the other hand, the single spectrum of light is able to target specific hair follicles, thus leading to faster, more precise, and more effective hair removal per session!
All that said, if you are considering either Laser or IPL for hair removal, a crucial first step is to consult your skin clinic about their machine’s ability to treat dark skin. And that’s where we come in!
Laser Hair Reduction with Lovoir Beauty
Lovoir Beauty takes pride in using innovative, up-to-date technology in all our beauty treatments – hair removal included!
Our Laser Hair Reduction treatment uses a Triple Wave Diode Laser with integrated cooling, one of the latest in light-based hair removal.
Our Triple Diode Laser is an upgraded version of the original laser devices, with the ability to emit a range of wavelengths – triple to be exact!
Just think: Three wavelengths – 755 nm, 810 nm, 1064 nm. Sure, they may sound like a bunch of random numbers to you, but for us beauty geeks, they make all the difference!
With a Triple Wave Diode Laser, hair removal is done through a specific spectrum of light that is safe for dark skin, getting deep into the hair pigments without damaging the surrounding skin. Along with nD:YAG lasers, it is considered the best laser hair removal machine for dark skin tones!
Sounds complicated? Trust us, it is! That is why certified technicians are the best people to handle the job. You may find a variety of at-home IPL or laser devices being sold in the market, but it’s best to trust a professional to perform the treatment for you.
In that regard, while Diode is a safe and effective method for dark skin, we always recommend that our customers consult our technicians before booking any treatment with us. We love getting to know you first so we can give you exactly what you need. After all, care for our customers is another asset we proudly flaunt!
On that note, we’ll end by saying this, “how you gonna upgrade me?” See, we told you we’d bring Beyonce back! You can trust the queen to know a great deal when she sees one. So now that you can rest assured that you’re in safe and capable hands, we’ll leave you with this guide on everything you need to know before you book your treatment with us.
Book our Laser Hair Reduction here!
What to Expect from Laser Hair Removal
- One session takes between 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the area you want done and how much hair growth needs to be targeted.
- It is a generally low-discomfort procedure with minimal to zero irritation, which makes it safe for all skin types.
- You can use it on any part of the body, including the sensitive areas like facial hair, the upper lip, even the bikini line.
- There is no downtime post-procedure. Feel free to hit the gym (at least for a gentle exercise!), or the club, or both!
- You will experience permanent hair reduction and slower hair regrowth as you progress through sessions. For best results, you will need 6 to 12 sessions, with a break of 4 to 6 weeks in between. It may sound like a handful, but it’s a no-brainer compared to other hair removal treatments that require more sessions. It will be worth it in the end once you’re left with hair-free, smooth skin!
- Hair regrowth will be significantly reduced, and for some people, completely stopped. If you ever do experience a few strands here and there, they are very fine and hardly visible. Nothing like those pesky ingrown hairs! You can easily pluck them with tweezers, or schedule a touch up with us. We have customers who go through years with only a few follow-up sessions in between.
What Happens During the Procedure
- Before the procedure begins, make sure to thoroughly shave your target area no closer than 12- 24 hours before you come in to get your treatment. Please avoid waxing, sugaring, or using depilatory creams. We need your hair follicle to be intact for the procedure to work.
- The process starts once you put on your protective glasses. Since we will be dealing with light energy, this is needed as an added safety measure.
- Our trained technician will then apply gel to your area with hair growth. We will start using the Diode device. It will emit pulses of light, which means the wavelengths of light energy are entering your hair follicle.
- We will continue this throughout the area with hair. As we mentioned, it is a relatively low-discomfort procedure. But if there is any pain to be expected, it can be compared to a rubber band snapping on your skin.
- Once we’ve covered the entire area, we will end the treatment by applying a soothing lotion. This will calm the skin and minimise any possible side effects.
- And it’s as easy as that! Enjoy the rest of your day, and we’ll see you in your next session!
Tips After Getting Laser Hair Removal
- Do not use makeup, lotion, or deodorant for the next 12 hours. Although it may not feel like it for some people, your skin will be sensitive post-treatment.
- Handle your skin with care. You can proceed with your usual skincare routine after 24 hours, just make sure to cleanse gently.
- Use a high-SPF sunscreen daily, especially if you had the treatment on your face or visible parts of the body.
- Do not use other hair removal methods apart from shaving. This will get in the way of achieving best results.
- And lastly, you will notice dead hair shedding days or weeks after your treatment. Don’t panic, that’s a good sign! Just let them do their thing!
Excited to start your journey to fuzz-free skin?
Book our Laser Hair Reduction here!
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