4 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LASER HAIR REMOVAL IF YOU HAVE DEEPER SKIN TONE
For many skincare aficionados, lasers are seen as miracle workers. In addition to removing unwanted hair, they can help correct several issues including redness and rosacea, dark spots and photoaging, scars, hyperpigmentation (such as melasma), and, of course, fine lines and deeper wrinkles. But as appealing as all those benefits sound, lasers tend to come with one big caveat for some — the fact that they can damage deeper skin tones.
To be more specific, lasers can be problematic for complexions that fall between Type IV (moderately brown skin that burns minimally, but always tans well) and Type VI (deeply pigmented dark brown to darkest brown skin that never burns) on the Fitzpatrick phototyping scale.
The downside of that characteristic is when skin is dealing with an injury or trauma — such as laser treatment — it can lead to uneven pigment or discoloration known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) Some technology in particular, namely intense pulse lasers (IPL), are especially harmful to darker skin. They can cause burning; scarring and hyperpigmentation can last for months or even become permanent.
Fortunately, there are still great options for those with deeper complexions. The key to ensuring that skin of color isn’t affected by lasers is to choose an Nd:YAG device like the laser system at Defy Nature. This is the most effective option for darker complexions unlike a diode, ruby, or Alexandrite laser, which could be harmful. The Nd:YAG features a 1064 wavelength that bypasses the top layer of skin where damage often occurs. Other lasers can be associated with complication rates as high as 60 percent, as compared to less than two percent for 1064 Nd:YAG lasers.. That’s why it is so essential to pick a qualified provider — seeing an experienced technician could help reduce any complications. The method used to cool the skin during the procedure is also important to consider for complexion-compatible treatments. Defy Nature’s Gentle Max offers contact cooling instead of air-based cooling systems, as the latter can sometimes cause the skin to turn very light or dark for months. The safest laser hair reduction system for SOC [skin of color] is a 1064 Nd:YAG with contact cooling.
Whether you’re looking to remove unwanted hair, need help with razor bumps, facial and spider veins, have pigmented lesions, age spots or reduce your fine lines and wrinkles to build new collagen, Defy Nature has the laser solution for you.
