Unwanted hair is a problem that affects everyone, regardless of age, race, or gender. While laser hair removal has been effective for fair-skinned individuals for years, it hasn’t always been accessible to darker skin types.
Several myths and misconceptions about laser hair removal for dark skin tones still exist, even though technology has advanced in recent years.
LASER HAIR REMOVAL FOR DARKER SKIN TONES: COMMON MYTHS
MYTH: LASER HAIR REMOVAL IS PAINFUL AND DAMAGES YOUR SKIN
Men and ladies are shocked to discover that laser hair removal is really pain-free! While patients may be given a topical anesthetic, the procedure appears to be fast and painless without it.
When performed by a professional, laser hair removal is considered safe. There will be no side effects or damage to the skin surrounding the area being treated, and you won’t have to miss work or school for recovery time afterwards.
MYTH: YOU ONLY NEED 1-2 TREATMENTS
Depending on the area being treated and the growth stage of the hair, you may need between six to 10 laser hair removal sessions.
Hair typically goes through three growth stages:
- The anagen (or growth) period is the time when hair grows during each stage of its life cycle.
- After the plating, your nails are in a catagen stage: a time when they transition from growth to loss.
- When the hair shaft is broken, it moves down to the resting stage. It is called telogen when space for new hair growth opens up in the anagen phase.
Laser hair removal works best during the anagen stage, so multiple treatments are required to ensure that all of the follicles are targeted throughout this period.
MYTH: HAIR CAN GROW BACK THICKER
Hair removal using lasers is similar to electrolysis: It destroys hair follicles, which are responsible for new hair growth. The laser light converts to heat as it absorbs pigment from the hair. This procedure damages the hair follicle and prevents or delays future hair development.
Since the process is painless and non-invasive, most people are quite satisfied with the results. Not only does it eliminate regrowth, but it also causes less severe and lighter-colored regrowth than before, making it much less obvious. One of the most long-lasting hair removal techniques available today is laser hair removal.
MYTH: LASER HAIR REMOVAL DOESN’T WORK ON ALL HAIR TYPES
If your hair follicles contain melanin, a type of pigment that give color to the hair, skin and eyes, then laser hair removal will be effective for you regardless of what type of hair you have.
If you have light hair including blonde, gray, or red, treatment may not be as effective. Your Medical Provider will review how laser hair removal works with your skin type and the results you can expect during a complimentary consultation.
MYTH: ONLY WOMEN GET LASER HAIR REMOVAL
Though it is commonly faced by all genders, unwanted hair remains a top concern for many women, men, transgender, and non-binary people.
For anyone looking for an effective solution to this problem, laser hair removal provides a popular option that removes the hair without causing any pain or harm to the surrounding skin area.
When treating transgender patients, common areas of treatment usually include the full face, chest back legs arms bikini line and buttocks.
MYTH: LASER HAIR REMOVAL WON’T WORK ON DARK SKIN
Older versions of laser technology couldn’t tell the difference between hair pigment and skin pigment. This made laser hair removal unavailable as an option for people with darker skin tones.
Though the technology has changed, most people still prefer to apply bleach to their light-colored locks. LHC is a cutting-edge laser technique that may now be used on all skin tones and effectively cures dark hair follicles, regardless of skin tone.