Raechele Cochran Gathers, MD Did you know that a growing number of Black women are choosing laser hair removal? Advances in technology have made laser hair removal in darker skin both safe and effective! Unwanted body hair can be annoying, a nuisance, and completely embarrassing. Shaving your legs and underarms alone can be a major chore. And let’s not even get into having to pluck embarrassing chin hairs, or wax a little ‘stache, or shave your bikini area! Removing body hair can be a grind and a burden!
Western culture prizes smooth and hairless skin in women. And, let’s be honest—this can be a pain! Figuratively, and certainly literally. If you’ve ever had a Brazilian wax, you know what I’m talking about! Vogue Magazine published an article about how some women are even rebelling against the notion of ‘hairless-ness,’ and proudly sporting leg, underarm and bikini hair. And who can blame them? Ardently keeping your body hairless and smooth can be a tiring burden, and can seem oppressive at times.
Hair Removal Options
For those of us that want to remove hair, there are many options. Waxing, shaving, depilatories and threading are all great hair removal options. And for unwanted facial hair, prescription creams like Vaniqa can be very helpful as you wage your war against stubble. If you’re tired of having to remove hair every couple of days, and you’re looking for a more permanent hair removal option, you might want to consider laser hair removal.
Relatively permanent in most areas of the body, laser hair removal is a great option for those of us that want hairless skin, without the grind of shaving and waxing week after week! Thanks to newer laser technology, laser hair removal in darker skin can be done safely and effectively.
Courtesy: Alice S. Pien, MD
What is Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal uses a concentrated and powerful beam of light. The energy from this beam of light is converted into heat, and is absorbed by the pigment (melanin) in your hair follicle. This energy works to damage the hair follicle so that it is difficult for it to regrow hair again.
7 Crucial Things to Know About Laser Hair Removal:
1. Don’t go for the Cheapest Deal
Ads for laser hair removal are everywhere: newspapers, commercials, website pop-ups. But be careful. Don’t go for the cheapest deal or most eye-catching ad. Laser hair removal is serious business. In fact, your laser hair removal should be done by a board certified dermatologist. This is not the place to cut corners. You must find someone that is an experienced board certified specialist in treating the skin, and who is well aware of the best practices for keeping you safe! Complications of laser hair removal done by an untrained individual can include infections, blisters, scars, discoloration and even disfigurement. You don’t want that.
2. Darker Skin is More Sensitive
Don’t believe the myth that those with skin of color can’t get laser hair removal! Laser hair removal is possible for those with skin of color. However, skin of color can be more prone to developing pigmentary or scarring problems after laser therapy. Done incorrectly, laser hair removal in darker skin can leave unwanted hyperpigmentation (dark spots), burns and scars on your skin. To avoid this complication, you need to choose a physician that is an expert in performing laser procedures in skin of color. Make sure you ask your doctor what type of laser she plans to use.
3. Men Get Laser Hair Removal Too
Does your man want a little ‘manscaping’ done? Well, laser hair removal is growing in popularity for men too. Some men use it to treat unwanted chest or back hair. For men that get razor bumps or who want a more defined and clean beard area, laser hair removal can be helpful too.
4. It’s Not a One and Done Deal
Wouldn’t it be nice if you could go get laser hair removal once, and then never have to worry about it again? Well, unfortunately, that’s not the case. Because the hair cycles at different rates and times, multiple session of hair removal are needed. How many is multiple sessions? It can take six sessions or even more. Also, laser hair removal on the face, in women, is often not permanent, owing to the action of our hormones on the hair follicles here.
5. It Won’t Work on Gray Hair
Yes, you read that right. So it you have unwanted hair and it’s gray, laser hair removal is probably not going to be your answer. Similarly, blond, white and red hair is may respond well to laser hair removal. Remember, it’s the pigment that absorbs the laser energy!
6. It’s Not Painful…Exactly.
While few would describe laser hair removal as excruciatingly painful, it isn’t a Sunday afternoon walk in the park either. Most people liken the feel of it to being snapped repeatedly by a rubber band. Unpleasant and annoying—yes, but not likely to make you scream out! Laser hair removal is generally a tolerable discomfort. Also, your dermatologists can use a topical anesthetic to lessen any discomfort that you may feel.
7. Get Test Spot First
Besides seeing a board certified dermatologist experienced in doing laser hair removal in darker skin, you should also be sure that you get a test area done first. It’s important to see how your skin reacts to the laser before going all in!
Conclusion
In trained hands, laser hair removal in darker skin is usually a safe and effective way to wage your war against unwanted body hair. Lasers have come a long way, and now there are lasers that can treat those with darker skin tones. Seek out a board certified dermatologist with experience in doing the procedure on your skin type!
Featured Image: Alice S. Pien, M.D.
