On Which Type of Skin Does Laser Hair Removal Work Best?
Laser hair removal is a quick and easy way to rid yourself of unwanted hair growth anywhere on the body. However, not all lasers are created equal; some work better on folks with darker skin, while others work better on folks with lighter skin. The lasers work by targeting the pigment in hair; they destroy the follicle and spare the surrounding tissue. Light colored hair, such as blonde or white, doesn't usually contain enough pigment for the laser to target, making laser hair removal more difficult. Further, the laser used for people with light skin (Alexandrite) isn't as effective on people with dark skin. For those who have dark skin, the NDYAG laser is very effective. Gentle Touch has both an Alexandrite and an NDYAG to be able to help with many different skin colors.
How to Categorize Your Skin Tone and Hair Color
The skin’s reaction to ultraviolet light is important to consider before getting laser hair removal. Luckily, there’s a handy-dandy way to categorize your skin tone by using a little tool known as the Fitzpatrick Scale. Developed by Harvard-trained dermatologist Thomas B. Fitzpatrick, the Fitzpatrick Scale generalizes various skin tones into 5 types based on their reaction to UV light. Those types are:
· Type 1: Light or Freckled: Never Tans/Always Burns
· Type 2: White: Sometimes Tans/Usually Burns
· Type 3: Olive: Always Tans/Sometimes Burns
· Type 4: Brown: Rarely Tans/Rarely Burns
· Type 5: Dark: Very Rarely Tans/Very Rarely Burns
Determining where you sit on the scale can help identify the intensity of the laser required to remove your hair. Those who possess a light skin-tone and dark hair are ideal candidates due to the high color disparity between the pigments in their skin and hair. Those with very light skin and very light hair may have difficulty since there may not be enough pigment in their hair for the laser to target, while those with darker skin and hair may experience burns on their skin if the wrong laser is used.
If you have additional questions or concerns regarding laser hair removal in the Grand Rapids area, give us a call at 616-447-9393 or stop by our website at agentletouch.net. We look forward to hearing from you soon!