When it comes to hair removal, in modern times, there are so many ways to go about it. Whether you choose to stick to a traditional razor or venture out into the world of lasers, making the choice that is right for you is vital.
As a woman of color, considering laser hair removal may make you feel uncertain, but Dr. Rosemarie Ingleton spoke with 21Ninety and provided a few tips for having a successful laser hair removal experience.
1. Do Your Research
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Luckily for you, we did a bit of that for you! Even though everyone’s experience may be different, you still want an idea of what you’re getting yourself into, right?
Let’s start with the basics. Laser hair removal, according to WebMD, is a cosmetic procedure which uses a highly concentrated light that beams into the hair follicles. When the pigment in the follicles absorbs the light, it assists in destroying the hair. Seems simple enough, but when you have a darker skin tone you could be susceptible to laser burns.
“Lasers work by zapping the melanin in the hair strand and hair root, and if the laser is not specifically designed to treat darker skin it can zap away the melanin in the skin, cause burns and leave white spots,” Dr. Ingleton explained.
2. Find the right technician
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After making the decision to try this method of hair removal, you need to figure out who you want to work with. This choice is crucial to your experience because you want to make sure the person you select not only knows what they’re doing, but how to do it for your complexion.
“Always go to board certified, experienced dermatologist or laser hair removal specialist, who not only knows how to use the devices, but that is also familiar with skin of color and the nuances with laser hair removal in more darkly pigmented skin,” Dr. Ingleton began. “I recommend you have a pre-treatment consultation and discuss your needs with your dermatologist first.”
3. Be Prepared
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You chose the location and the person who will administer your treatment, you made an appointment, and now are waiting anxiously for your first session (or follow-up session). In order to properly prepare, Dr. Ingleton suggests trimming or shaving the hair, but be careful about using any potentially irritating products or performing any procedures that may irritate the area. Some of those procedures include scrubbing, waxing, using a depilatory, etc.
4. Post-Treatment
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The treatment is done and you are heading off on your merry-way! To protect your skin, especially if you have melasma or dark spots, Dr. Ingleton stresses the importance of sunscreen!
“I suggest avoiding the direct contact with the sun as this can worsen your hyperpigmentation. You should always protect your skin no matter the season. Especially folks of color, I strive to break the stigma around the importance of sunscreen. We need more awareness on how to prevent hyperpigmentation especially after having cosmetic skin treatments, and sunscreen is a pivotal tool in helping prevent this…you must wear sunscreen on the area you choose at all times.”
In terms of cleansing the skin post-treatment, you want to use products that are gentle on the skin while getting the job done.
“My go-to are the Dove Body Washes, as they double as a body cleanser, especially the Shower Foam. It’s foaming, airy lather is formulated with gentle cleansers and nourishes skin, leaving it clean and smooth.”
And just like in the prep-stage, you want to avoid plucking, waxing or using depilatories in the treated area because Dr. Ingleton says the laser will not work for you if you do this prior or after.
5. Maintenance
According to Dr. Ingleton, it can take between six to ten sessions to fully remove the hair from your desired area. Typically, treatments are spaced out four to six weeks apart. To maintain the results, one to two touch-up sessions are recommended every 12-24 months.
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