Laser Treatment Safety For Dark Skin Tones
It seems that people of color have always been told to steer clear of laser skin treatments because they are harmful. Traditionally, laser treatments, like those that reduce redness, brighten dark sports, and remove hair, have been known to have adverse effects on those with darker skin tones. Instead of having the intended effect, laser skin treatments would leave behind discoloration, burns, or blisters.
Thankfully, there have been many advances in science and technology that make certain laser treatments completely safe, even for those with highly pigmented skin.
Before you make an appointment to get laser skin treatment, it’s important to do you research so you can know what to expect. Here, we have compiled all of the information that you need to know about laser skin treatment for dark skin tones so you can make the absolute best decision.
What is laser treatment?
Laser treatments, although they may have different intentions, all work essentially the same way – by concentrating light and energy into a small area of the skin. In the case of lasers that remove hair, for example, they work by heating up the hair follicle enough to completely destroy it, effectively disabling hair from being able to grow back.
Can lasers be used on dark skin tones?
Unequivocally, the answer is yes! Lasers can absolutely be used on darker skin tones as long as the instrument is of good quality and the person administering treatment has been properly trained and certified.
That being said, certain laser treatments are, in fact, less risky than others. This mostly has to do with the severity of the treatment and not the skin tone of the recipient.
Which laser treatments are safest for those with dark skin tones?
The least aggressive type of laser treatment is going to be laser facials. Because the skin on your face is quite sensitive to begin with, the treatment is designed to have a lower energy concentration and less recovery time.
For redness – Vbeam lasers are the best bet for those with medium to dark skin tones. Experienced estheticians will be able to dial back the temperature and speed of the laser in a way that is safe but effective.
For scars and marks – The pico lasers have been found to be the best at treating skin types 4-6 on the Fitzpatrick scale.
For hair removal – traditional hair removal lasers are best for those with dark hair and light skin because they target the darker pigment of the hair. When used on highly pigmented skin, the laser gets confused and can damage the skin. Newer models, like 1064-nanometer Nd:YAG lasers (Cutera Excel HR 1064 and Sciton Joule 1064), target hair follicle to safely treat patients with any shade of skin.
What laser treatments should those with dark skin stay away from?
If you have dark skin and you’re interested in getting a laser facial, or a laser hair removal process, it’s recommended that you do not use IPL (intense pulled light) as the type of light it uses has the potential to compete with skin pigment for energy and result in burns, blisters or discoloration.
If you’re in Accara, Ghana and looking for safe laser treatment for dark skin tones, come visit our facility. Our estheticians are highly trained, properly certified, and have experience treating all shades of skin tones. If you have any questions or would like to make a trial appointment, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
