Have you ever been told that laser hair removal is not safe for you because of your skin type? We hear it every day at Skin Bar. Each week we handle more than 50 telephone calls and website inquiries regarding laser hair removal. And many of those calls are questions regarding the safety of laser for dark skin clients. So, we thought we would take this opportunity to give you the skinny on who can and who can’t have laser treatments. We turned to one of our laser hair removal guru’s here at Skin Bar. The short answer according to Regina Pinkhasova, “is YES!”
Regina is a Laser Hair Removal Specialist at Skin Bar NYC located in Midtown Manhattan. She has eight years of laser hair removal experience and has performed over 100,000 laser hair removal treatments. After hearing from numerous clients that they didn’t think laser was safe and effective for them, Regina sat with us and answered the most common questions that come up regarding laser hair removal technology, misconceptions and expectations.
Is Laser Hair Removal safe for all skin types?
Yes, as long as you have the right technology. At Skin Bar laser hair removal is safe for all skin types because we invest in the most up to date and state of the art laser- The Cynosure Apogee Elite. The Cynosure is one of the most popular, safe and effective lasers used for Laser Hair Removal services.
What makes the Cynosure Apogee Elite Safe?
There are two top of the line technologies that combine laser wavelengths to treat everyone safely. Candela Gentle Max Pro and The Cynosure Apogee Elite are both dual wavelength systems with the Alexandrite (755) for light skin, and the Yag (1064) for anyone with more melanin in their skin. These different wavelengths allow any individual to be treated and to be treated all year around safely and effectively.
At Skin Bar we use the Cynosure Apogee Elite. Not only is Cynosure equipped with both wavelengths but it works in tandem with a Zimmer air cooler, blowing cold air on the area being treated rather than a chemical cooling agent like the Candela.
Does it take longer to get results for darker skin types?
Skin types with more melanin may take a few sessions more than skin types with less melanin because the Yag 1064 has to penetrate a bit deeper into the skin to reach the hemoglobin. The Yag 1064 is the safest way to treat clients with more melanin. The machine is complex enough to understand that if a client has dark hair and dark skin it has to find another way to pick up that hair safely and effectively. It does this by reaching deeper into the skin.
How long does it take for each skin type to see results?
Laser Hair Removal results do not only depend on skin type. Results also depend on the area, the hair thickness, hair growth cycles, the amount of hair on the area and hormones. Only hair in its active growth cycle will be disabled. For hormonal areas like face and neck, it is hard to predict how many treatments it will take. I have had clients who require 10 or more treatments on the face to achieve maximum results. Clients with more melanin, notice a slight reduction between treatments one and three and a significant difference between treatment number four and five. Clients with less melanin notice a major difference between session number two and three. So, it’s important to have realistic expectations and the proper evaluation prior to beginning your treatments.
What are some tips for clients and their skin types- pre and post?
The same pre and post treatment rules apply to all skin types for safety and comfort. You should shave 24 hours before your treatment. This will give your skin time to heal and reduce the ”ouch” factor. No oral or topical antibiotics should be used 2 weeks prior to treatment because most antibiotics cause light sensitivity. Tanning beds, lotions and sun exposure should be discontinued two weeks prior as well. If you are treating your face and you are using facial creams that contain Retinol, Retin-A or Vitamin C please discontinue use 2 weeks prior to your treatment. Last but not least ,any additional heat you add to the area(s) you are having treated can cause an adverse reaction , as a precaution for 24 hours after treatment no gym , hot yoga or hot showers .
Call today to schedule a Free Consultation with one of Skin Bar’s laser hair removal specialists today!