Laser hair removal for darker skin tones are known to be uncomfortable, painful, and futile. As a facility that specialises in hair removal for this demographic, we know firsthand that laser hair removal CAN be comfortable, pain-free and VERY successful — just ask our portfolio of clients.
Yet, why do people of colour still find this method of hair removal risky, even though we’re approaching 2022?
That’s because most lasers weren’t made with melanin in mind and work the safest for individuals with fair skin and dark hair follicles. Unfortunately, they’re still used in many clinics in Singapore today — hence the horror stories of severe burns, scarring and discolouration.
But as mentioned, laser hair removal for rich skin can work. We know how. Keep reading to find out more.
Which laser machine is best for dark skin?
There are a few types of laser machines in Singapore; the common ones include IPL, Er:YAG, Alexandrite and OLED. We get that choosing the correct option can be hard for individuals with darker skin tones, given that each service provider claims theirs is the best. To figure out which laser works best for you, it’s important to understand how lasers for hair removal work.
Firstly, the contrast between the colour of your skin and colour of the pigment in your hair follicle is what enables the laser to pick out what to target. As you can imagine, it’s much easier to differentiate dark hair from fair skin than dark hair on dark skin — older technologies like IPL, AFT and SHR were not designed to perform the latter function.
In general, IPL and Alexandrite lasers work better for lighter skin types.
Read to find out the difference between IPL and laser hair removal.
An exception, though, is the Cynosure Apogee. The Cynosure Apogee is an excellent dual-wavelength alexandrite laser that uses one wavelength for lighter skin types and a separate wavelength for darker skin types. From an operator’s standpoint, it makes economic sense to bring in such a versatile laser. Except we don’t.
You see, in order for a laser to really work on dark skin tones, it HAS to be created specifically with dark skin in mind. The OLED laser is such.
OLED laser technology bypasses the skin and specifically targets the hair root, making the procedure painless and even suitable for clients with certain skin sensitivities and conditions, such as eczema. It’s also especially effective for removing fine hair follicles on sensitive areas with thinner skin, including;
- Face
- Neck
- Groin
At Supersmooth, we offer none of the Nd:YAG or Alexandrites, only the OLED. And we’re proud to specialise in hair removal for even the darkest Asian skin tones, which no other provider can lay claim to.
Does laser hair removal work on dark skin?
So we’ve established the importance of a good laser — what’s more important, though, is the operator’s experience with the laser and with clients who have similar skin tone as yours. So do your research and read reviews on the practitioner and facility, ask for before and after photos, how many patients they’ve treated with a darker skin type, and how satisfied those patients were.
Make sure your practitioner does a thorough screening as any professional would, including your ethnicity, because regardless of skin tone, different ethnicities react differently to certain lasers. For example, even though your skin type may be a 3 or 4 on the Fitzpatrick scale, it could react to the laser as a 6 would.
You should also avoid UV exposure during the month of your treatment, or at the very least load up on UV protection (especially important in Singapore!). Laser light is attracted to pigment; the darker the pigment, the higher the risks. So even if you’ve had the slightest tan recently, be sure to inform your operator so they can tweak the laser settings accordingly or reschedule the treatment.
What is the cost of laser hair removal for dark skin in Singapore?
Yes, laser hair removal might be expensive compared to your IPL and waxing counterparts, but now is not the time to be stingy or look for coupons on a discount site.
The operator and their expertise in treating dark skin matters, and this usually comes with a premium price. But it’s worth it — darker skin types tend to be more sensitive and hence are more prone to side effects, so it’s essential to invest in an operator who knows what they’re doing.
Are laser hair removal treatments worth their price? Read to find out more.
Your skin, your choice
Lasers for dark skin have been around for a few years now — the key is finding a facility that has spent the time and money to buy the right equipment and familiarise themselves with said equipment.
Do you have any questions? Feel free to ask away and we are more than happy to answer them!
References
- Arsiwala, S. Z., & Majid, I. M. (2019). Methods to overcome poor responses and challenges of laser hair removal in dark skin. Indian journal of dermatology, venereology and leprology, 85(1), 3–9. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijdvl.IJDVL_1103_16
- Raulin, C., & Greve, B. (2000). Temporary hair loss using the long-pulsed alexandrite laser at 20 milliseconds. European journal of dermatology : EJD, 10(2), 103–106.
