We’re nearing 2022, and we can all agree the world has changed drastically in the last decade. In some ways for the better—think Rihanna’s inclusive Fenty Beauty line for all skin tones, and Singaporeans calling out acts of racial discrimination more vocally.
But even with inclusivity being the buzzword of our time, our local beauty industry has much catching up to do.
For women and men of colour here, navigating the dozens of clinics and salons for the right laser hair removal services can be severely frustrating. It’s also been found that Asians carry the EDAR gene1, a protein that affects hair thickness. Which means hair removal is tougher for Asians, but even more so for dark skinned Asians.
Do you have excessive facial hair growth? You may have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Hair removal treatments still do not cater to individuals with richer skin tones
Most laser hair removal for darker skin tones don’t work. The exclusivity the industry displays towards light skinned individuals, plus the overall inexperience and ineducation surrounding hair removal techniques for melanin rich individuals has resulted in endless horror stories amongst countless victims of clueless practitioners:
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Some of these burns take up to six months to properly heal, and even when those scars fade off, a heavy mental note remains: If I am a dark-skinned girl, I simply do not have reliable options when it comes to removing my unwanted body hair. This can’t be further from the truth.
Why many hair removal treatments do not work on darker skin tones
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When it comes to laser hair removal for lighter skinned women in Singapore, there are plenty of big names that immediately come to mind. The market is heavily saturated, and the technology works. Sadly, the same can’t be said for similar services for dark skinned women.
Why exactly does laser hair removal for darker skin tones seem to work so badly in Singapore even with a whole myriad of options such as IPL and Er:YAG? Here are a few key reasons:
Usage of the wrong equipment for richer skin
Old tech such as IPL, AFT and SHR are not able to differentiate dark hair from dark skin. It is quintessential that a laser is able to identify what to target and what to leave alone, otherwise it could easily hurt the skin.
Unthorough screenings
Even if your skin is a 3 on the Fitzpatrick scale, it could react to laser treatments like a 6. Factors such as ethnicity and UV protection habits are not always considered by hair removal practitioners.
Inexperienced operators
Unfortunately, a severe lack of local knowledge and experience when it comes to treating darker skin means that many melanin-rich individuals are not treated efficiently or safely. Not with us though – we specialise in laser hair removal for rich skin tones and our operators are experienced in using laser devices on dark skin.
Our team’s Quantum Dots Technology is Asia’s first technique for treating richer skin
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Supersmooth exists to give darker skinned women the treatment they deserve. We specialise in helping richer skinned clients who have suffered from ineffective, even painful IPL, SHR, AFT treatments, and specialise in helping them gain the smooth confidence they desire. Many arrive at our doorstep skeptical or desperate, and fortunately for them, our technology does the job.
PS. Our technology was engineered right here in Singapore.
PPS. An added benefit of laser epilation is that side effects of conventional hair removal such as pseudofolliculitis barbae and post inflammatory dyspigmentation2, both of which are more commonly seen in skin of colour, respond well to the laser. Say goodbye to razor bumps and irritated skin.
If I have darker skin, why should I choose Supersmooth?
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As we’ve mentioned, the colour contrast between your skin and hair follicles is what enables a laser to pick out what to target and what to leave alone. Older technologies like IPL, AFT and SHR, are simply not designed for hair removal from dark skin. And while there are exceptions in the market that are safe for both light and dark skin, we believe that in order for a laser to really work for darker skin, it needs to be created specifically for darker skin. This is why we use OLED.
OLED laser technology targets the hair root while completely bypassing the skin, which makes procedures pain-free and preferable for clients with skin conditions such as sensitivity and eczema. OLED is also great for removing fine hair follicles from more delicate skin regions, including the face, neck, and private areas.
Our practitioners utilise special tools with the utmost diligence to treat our clients’ more delicate areas. We prioritise giving our clients unparalleled satisfaction. Also, it isn’t enough to only get the tip of the equipment in contact with an area of skin when it comes to hair removal for certain parts of the body.
Tip: shave the night before or the morning of your appointment. Any hair on the skin will absorb some of the laser energy – the objective is for the laser energy to go to the root of the hair. If you aren’t shaved, the laser energy is wasted travelling down the hair shaft.
Equally important: Find an operator with experience treating melanin-rich skin
Owning the best technology is not quite the same as knowing how to use it. Can you imagine putting a two-year-old into an F1 car and asking them to win a race?
What we’re saying is: If the salon or spa you’re considering has little to no experience with dark skin, you should seriously reconsider. Similarly, if your provider really cares about their clientele, but is using inefficient technology, it would prove to be a frustrating and potentially harmful experience for you.
With our OLED Technology, which can remove a full beard or a brazilian with zero to little discomfort, our team serves with delicate attention and the knowledge needed to serve you. That’s right, numbing cream is not even needed.
Are you a melanin queen who’s ready to start your hair removal journey?
Remember to do your research, read those Google reviews, and choose right. And in case you didn’t know, we’ve got a juicy referral program that you and your pals might want in on.
References
- Fujimoto, A., Ohashi, J., Nishida, N., Miyagawa, T., Morishita, Y., Tsunoda, T., Kimura, R., & Tokunaga, K. (2008). A replication study confirmed the EDAR gene to be a major contributor to population differentiation regarding head hair thickness in Asia. Human genetics, 124(2), 179–185. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00439-008-0537-1
- Battle E. F., Jr (2011). Advances in laser hair removal in skin of color. Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD, 10(11), 1235–1239.
