What Laser is Best for my
Skin Type?

However, this guideline can be vague at times. For this reason, the Fitzpatrick scale (also called the Fitzpatrick skin typing test, or Fitzpatrick phototyping scale) was developed to determine whether a skin type is suitable for certain treatments, and to determine how a certain skin type may be handled.

The Fitzpatrick Skin Type Scale

Commonly Treated Areas

Women usually opt to treat the legs, arms, underarms, bikini line, Brazilian area, and the face. These areas are most popular as the presence of hair is often embarrassing and bothersome.

For men, the areas of choice include the back, chest and shoulders.

The only areas where laser hair removal is not recommended are inside the ears, inside the nose, and the eyebrows, in order to keep your eyes safe.

How Laser Hair Removal Works

Regardless of those factors, though, body hair grows in three phases from follicles in the skin’s dermal layer, and the science of laser hair removal remains the same.

The Anagen Phase: Hair is actively growing from the follicle. Laser hair removal is effective on hair that is in the anagen phase, as this is when the follicle is richest in melanin.
The Catagen Phase: Follicles reduce in size, which stops hair growth.
The Telogen Phase: New hair growth begins pushing old hair out of the follicles, and the process begins all over again.

The amount of hair in the anagen phase at any given time varies, but is usually around 85%. Because not all follicles are always in the same growth phase, multiple laser hair removal treatments are necessary to target all the hair in all its growth phases.

Appointment Timing is Critical

For laser hair removal on the face, you must wait four to six weeks between sessions. For other body areas, the waiting period is usually six to eight weeks.
By sticking to a regular treatment schedule, you’ll see smooth, permanent results much more quickly.

Our Approach to Darker Skin

However, the melanin present in skin does the same thing. The high concentration of melanin in darker skin may absorb too much light, diverting it from the hair, making the removal process less effective. In addition, diverting the light from the hair can be harmful to the skin. The generation of heat may burn skin, causing discomfort, burning, blistering, scarring and skin discoloration. This is why, traditionally, laser hair removal has been more ideal for those with lighter skin.

However, taking some precautions can make the procedure just as effective for darker skin:

Wavelength: Melanin is absorbed by shorter wavelengths of laser light. By using slightly longer wavelengths, the laser light is able to surpass the melanin in skin and target the melanin in the hair shaft and follicle. This is one of the reasons we prefer to use an Nd:YAG laser for patients with darker skin.

Cooling: Because laser light works on hair by generating heat within the follicle to destroy it, this heat must be managed so it is effective where it needs to be, without being harmful where it doesn’t need to be. To manage this, we cool the skin before and after each laser hair removal treatment by applying a cool glide gel or other cooling devices. This is especially necessary on darker skin as the higher concentrations of melanin in darker skin tones will generate more heat when exposed to laser light.

Number of Treatments: To play it safe with darker skin tones, we conduct laser hair removal more gradually by using a lower intensity wavelength over a higher number of sessions. This destroys the hair follicle gradually, without harming the surrounding skin. As a result, more sessions may be needed for patients who have a darker complexion, but the treatments will be much safer.

Other Considerations

Sometimes, there may be a combination of the two melanins in the hair. If your hair is any of these colors, your aesthetician will discuss other hair removal options with you.

Sensitive Skin
If you have extremely sensitive skin, we recommend that you have a patch test done before committing to treatments in order to determine whether laser hair removal will be a viable option for you.

Sensitive skin may be treated in a similar fashion to darker skin, even if it’s not dark, in that more intense cooling methods, longer wavelengths, and more frequent sessions may be implemented.

Tattoos
A tattoo is created by permanently inserting high concentrations of pigment into the uppermost layer of skin. As with darker skin, this high concentration of pigment will absorb laser light, causing discomfort or burning, and may even ruin the tattoo. Furthermore, the damage to skin may make the skin unsuitable to further tattooing in that region. Remember, lasers are also used for tattoo removal.

Some patients who have had laser hair removal performed over tattoos claim to have experienced extreme discomfort, blistering, and sometimes infection. To avoid damage and negative side effects, we recommend not performing laser hair removal over a tattoo. But the procedure is safe to perform around it, provided the laser light makes no contact with the tattoo.

Fortunately, the reverse situation is not an issue. A tattoo can safely be applied to skin previously treated with laser hair removal, provided the treatment are complete, and that area of skin will not receive any further laser treatments.

Laser Hair Removal vs. Electrolysis

First electrolysis is extremely time-consuming. The procedure requires inserting an extremely thin electrode needle into each and every hair follicle. An electric shock is sent into the hair follicle, destroying the root of the hair.

Just as with laser treatments, the hair follicle will need to be in the growth phase in order for this to work and so multiple sessions may be required to treat each area, regardless of how small the area is. It’s a long, painstaking process.

However, electrolysis may be indicated for certain clients who do not meet the requirements for laser hair removal, or who may not respond well to it, such as patients with blonde, red or gray hair.

It may also be recommended for patients who wish to get permanent hair removal over a tattoo, as laser and IPL are not recommended over tattooed skin. It may also prove safer in areas where laser is particularly risky, such as the eyebrows. And some patients simply feel more comfortable with electrolysis over laser or IPL.

Laser Hair Removal
Question & Answer

• When will I see results?

  The results are cumulative, so after your first session, you will see the hair shed in a few days. With each subsequent treatment, you’ll see further reduction in hair growth.

  Because each hair follicle will be in a different growth stage, you will see some hair return after a few weeks. Your next session will target the new hairs that are in the ideal growth cycle. This is why it’s so important to maintain a regular schedule of treatments until final results are acheived.

• Is laser hair removal permanent?

  You will never be able to remove 100% of the hairs in any treated area, but you will see significant reduction, and very slow regrowth, if any. Most patients will need a “touch-up” session once or twice a year to maintain carefree, smooth results.

• Does laser hair removal work for everyone?

  Treatments do not work on hair that is blonde, red or gray, due to the lack of melanin within the hair follicle. Alternative treatment, such as electrolysis, may be available.

• Why can I only shave before my sessions?

  The laser works by targeting the darker pigmentation of the hair in the hair follicle. If you wax prior to or in between laser treatments, you are removing the hair from the root, thereby removing what the laser requires in order to be effective.
  We recommend shaving a day before your treatment. Shaving is recommended so that the laser doesn’t target hair above the skin, potentially causing burns. With a clean shave before your treatment, the lasers will be able to easily locate your hair follicles without wasting energy on hairs that have already grown out. You can leave a patch not shaved, then the aesthetician can see the result and improvment of your previous session.

• Does laser hair removal hurt?

  There are certain areas of the body that are more sensitive than others, such as the bikini area. These areas may be a bit uncomfortable during the treatment. A topical numbing cream can be applied beforehand. Treatments are usually quite tolerable on most other areas of the body.

  To help reduce discomfort you can try shaving closer to your appointment time. The less hair on the surface, the less discomfort you will feel. Also, for women, if you are in your menstrual cycle, your sensitivity to pain in general may be increased. Booking your appointments when you are not on your period will help.

• How long will a session take?

  The length of each session depends on the size of the area to be treated. For tiny areas on the body, such as the upper lip or chin, sessions can be done in a matter of minutes. For larger areas, such as the back or legs, a session can take up to one hour. For patients who decide to treat their entire body all at once, this can take from two to three hours.

• Can I get laser hair removal on my genital area?

  Yes. You can have a full Brazilian laser treatment.

• Which skin types are most suitable for laser hair treatment?

  The SP Dynamis Nd:YAG laser we use is suitable for the broadest range of skin types. Whether pale with lighter hair, or dark skinned with dark hair, this laser hair removal device will work for you.

• Are there any side effects?

  Laser hair removal side effects may include redness and irritation in the treatment area. This typically subsides within a couple of days. A cooling gel or cream, along with the application of a cold compress, can alleviate this.

• Are there any laser hair removal risks?

  Because laser hair removal is non-invasive, the risks are minimal. Risks most often occur when patients do not prepare for laser hair removal, or follow post-procedure instructions. In these cases, the risks of scarring, burning, and hyperpigmentation increase.

• At what age can I start having laser hair removal?

  As long as parental consent is given, treatments can be performed on people under the age of 18.