Ipl Laser Hair Removal For Face

Ipl laser hair removal for face has grown in popularity as a long-term option for removing unsightly facial hair in both sexes. This treatment’s greatest advantage is its longevity. Ipl laser hair removal for face can permanently reduce the amount of undesirable facial hair, unlike waxing or shaving which only temporarily remove hair.

Ipl laser hair removal for the face has the potential to produce permanent effects with regular and proper application. In order to remove hair from its follicles, a laser must heat up the skin, which can be uncomfortable.

When you want to get rid of unsightly facial hair, one of the most effective hair removal lasers to utilize is ipl laser hair removal for face. If you’re concerned about how you’ll look without hair, here is a helpful guide. They are quick and easy to use, and they do a great job of getting rid of your face hair. All that’s required is a visit to your local dermatologist, where you can schedule a laser treatment to permanently remove the hair from your face. Read on to learn more on ipl hair removal side effects and ipl hair removal.

Ipl Laser Hair Removal For Face

If shaving, plucking or waxing just aren’t cutting it when it comes to hair removal, IPL – aka “intense pulse light” – might be worth a try. It’s the most advanced hair removal method you can use from the comfort of your own home and works by stunting the hair cycle in its tracks to prevent regrowth.

Due to their high-tech nature, these devices tend to be expensive; the good news is that, thanks to Amazon Prime Day, you can now get the best devices out there for a fraction of the usual cost. Not to mention, you’ll make a saving in the long-run too, as you won’t need to spend on trips to the salon or new razors – also cutting down your environmental waste.

To find the very best IPL devices – so you don’t invest in a dud – we asked our panel of testers to try a selection for three months. Here are the ones that tackled unwanted body hair with ease.

What is an IPL device?

IPL is a broad-spectrum light that’s scattered across the skin to help with long-term hair reduction. It directs energy at the melanin (the pigment that gives the skin/hair its colour) in the hair follicle, heating up the hair right down to the root (where most of the melanin is concentrated) to damage the follicle without damaging the surrounding skin and and break the cycle of regrowth.

Don’t expect instant results, but with regular use IPL can help prevent unwanted hair from reaching the skin’s surface. Energy, frequency, skin and hair colour are all determining factors in the efficacy of the treatment.

Most of the best IPL hair removal devices are suitable for the body and face. They work by either gliding over skin, which is best for larger surface areas of the body such as your legs, or stamping (pressing onto the area), which is better for smaller areas where you need more precision.

What’s the difference between IPL and laser hair removal?

Don’t confuse IPL with laser hair removal. Laser treatments use a different light source and target a more concentrated area. The laser method is often more powerful.

You can use IPL devices at home, but if you want laser hair removal you’ll need to have it performed by a trained professional.

Is IPL hair removal safe?

IPL is considered safe to use, providing the device is from a reliable, trusted brand and instructions are followed as advised. Occasionally, some people may experience side effects such as redness, discomfort or, very rarely, blisters or burns. If any irritation occurs, consult a medical professional.

How to use IPL devices

For IPL hair removal to work effectively, some hair needs to be present for the energy to travel down to the follicle from the surface of the skin – but not so much that you run the risk of burning the skin. For that reason, it’s best to shave before your IPL session rather than completely remove the hairs by waxing or epilating.

To fully break the growth cycle of your unwanted hair, regular IPL sessions are required. Each brand advises on how often to use their machine, and when you can expect to see results.

Can I use my IPL device every day?

Although it comes down to the specific brand and model, most IPL devices recommend you use them once every two weeks for the initial four weeks of treatment. Once you’ve mastered this, top-ups can take place up to once a month.

Note that to see the best results, you should stick to the recommended schedule to stop regrowth long-term. Make sure you note down the date you start your IPL journey and set up reminders of when to top up.

Does IPL treatment remove hair permanently?

Whether you’ve banished hair for good depends on your skin and hair type, as well as the area of the body involved.

If you stick to a regular IPL routine, you can expect to see the majority of your hair gone for the long haul. But as an IPL device can only stunt the growth of active hair follicles, it might take a while to remove all hair. This is because some areas will grow back quicker than others. Persistence is key though, and, at the bare minimum, you can expect much slower re-growth.

Does IPL hair removal hurt?

The level of discomfort varies from person to person, but the sensation can feel quite tingly and hot – it’s sometimes likened to being flicked with a hot elastic band. The process is quite quick, though, so the pain doesn’t last long.

Most devices have a range of heat settings to make the process more comfortable too, especially in areas that are more sensitive. It’s important to remember that a lower intensity is also less effective, so keeping it at this setting would require you to use the machine for longer.

If you’ve tried epilating and couldn’t get through it without your eyes weeping, rest assured this is a more pain-free method!

Who can use an IPL hair removal device?

IPL devices aren’t suitable for everyone, as they’re only able to identify and target hair pigment that is a contrasting shade to the skin.

Naturally light blonde, red, white and grey hairs contain little pigment, so IPL typically isn’t as effective on people with these hair shades, whatever their skin colour. Many devices also don’t work on dark skin tones. Typically, those with pale to medium skin and dark hair are the best candidates for IPL.

Note that they aren’t suitable for pregnant women, or those with certain skin/hair conditions, or those undergoing particular treatments. They also don’t work on tattoos or permanent makeup – so always check the small print before you buy.

How many IPL treatments does it take to see results?

Typically, IPL devices should be used regularly for four to 12 weeks, to make sure all visible hair has been treated. Hair should start to appear finer and grow back slower, or not at all.

Top-up sessions can be done where there is any regrowth. Results vary depending on the use of the device and your skin/hair type.

What to consider when buying

• The number of flashes: This is the number of times the device can emit a flash. Most have a minimum of 100,000 but once this runs out, you’ll need a replacement lamp. You can’t get replacement lamps for all devices, while some devices offer unlimited flashes.
• The number of treatment heads: If you plan to use the device on smaller areas, a head that comes with a smaller treatment window is more efficient.
• The level of intensities: This impacts how often you’ll need to use the device and whether you can adapt the intensity to suit more sensitive areas.
• The number of modes: Most devices offer glide and stamp modes, with some also offering a “gentle” mode.
• Speed: The shorter the time between flashes, the quicker the treatment session.
• Automatic skin tone sensor: Some devices detect the optimum intensity and safe settings for your skin tone.
• Corded or cordless: Some devices can be used cordless, for ease of use and transportation.

How we test

Our panel of 140 testers across the UK helped us test a range of at-home IPL hair removal devices for six to 12 weeks.

Testers followed the instructions provided with each device to find out how effective they were at removing hair on legs, underarms, the bikini line and upper lip.

Ipl Hair Removal Side Effects

IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light technology. Home IPL hair removal devices apply very gentle pulses of light to the hair root. This makes the hair go into its resting phase: the hair you have falls out, and gradually your body grows less hair in that area.

That smoothness lasts a long time, too. The result of 14 years of research, Philips Lumea Prestige delivers a whopping 8 whole weeks of freedom from hair after the first four treatments*. It’s not just for legs either: smart curved attachments allow you to reach and safely treat your underarms, bikini area and face. So IPL really can take the place of shavers, wax treatments or epilators.

How does IPL work? 

So that answers ‘what is IPL?’ – now for the details. IPL works thanks to a pigment in hair called melanin: much like a dark sheet on a hot day, the melanin helps the hair absorb the light from the flashes, stimulating it to go into its resting phase. This leaves you with smooth, hair-free skin.

So, how do you do IPL hair removal at home? Using the Philips Lumea Prestige is easy:

1.  Shave, epilate or wax the area to remove the hair. If you choose to epilate or wax, make sure you do it the day before you do your treatment. 
2. Select the right light intensity for your skin tone.
3. Turn the Lumea on, and wait for the ‘ready to flash’ light to come on.
4. Press the ‘flash’ button.
5. Move on to the next spot!

It takes less than 8.5 minutes** to do your lower legs with the Philips Lumea Prestige. Once the hair stops growing back, you can leave out the shaving step and just use the Lumea to keep your skin beautifully smooth.

To see positive results from the get-go, use the Lumea Prestige once every two weeks for the first four treatments. After that, you should only need to do minor touch ups every 4-8 weeks.

Does IPL work on all types of body hair?

You can use the Philips Lumea Prestige to remove hair on your legs, underarms, bikini line and face. It comes with different curved attachments for different body areas, so it’s easy to reach and treat each one the right way. The five graded light settings and SmartSkin sensor mean that you can always make sure that your skin is getting the gentle treatment it needs.

I’m not here to tell you that you should or shouldn’t remove your body hair—I support whatever you want to do. But if you’ve decided you want less of it and you want a removal option that’ll last longer than a few days, laser hair removal is the way to go. Yes, it’s an investment (sessions can range from $30 to $100 depending on the area), but after getting Brazilian waxes for about 10 years, it definitely made more sense for me to pay more upfront for more permanent hair reduction and spend less time trying to mediate in butterfly position while someone ripped hard wax off of my vagina.

As I began researching laser hair removal options, I noticed that in general, useful information is scarce—and useful information for people with melanin-rich skin is even rarer. So, after doing tons of research, embarking on my own “journey,” and chronicling my experiences on Instagram Stories, I figured there needed to be a more permanent and visible place for others to get all the deets on laser hair removal for dark skin.

This guide contains all the information I wish I had before committing to laser hair removal with tips from myself and most importantly, from board-certified dermatologists who specialize in working with melanin-rich skin.

How laser hair removal works

“Laser hair removal is the process by which we use a laser light source to essentially almost destroy the hair follicle,” says Carlos A. Charles, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of Derma di Colore. Laser hair removal works by targeting a specific medium, such as melanin, pigment, or a hair follicle, he explains. “In the case of doing laser hair removal, primarily the type that we do in darker skin, the laser goes after melanin or pigment at the bulb of the hair.”

Although laser hair removal has been found to drastically reduce hair growth, “It’s important to emphasize that laser hair removal is really like permanent hair reduction—it’s not going to get rid of everything,” says Dr. Charles. In other words, it will diminish the amount of hair you have, but it may not remove it all for good.

Up until recently, laser hair removal wasn’t considered safe for people with melanin-rich skin because early models of lasers weren’t created to differentiate the melanin in the skin from the melanin of the hair follicle. Because of this, people with darker complexions were at an increased risk of experiencing burns, scarring, hypopigmentation (aka light spots on your skin), and other adverse reactions when treated with a laser. However, with new lasers created with melanin-rich skin in mind, specifically lasers with longer wavelengths, longer pulse durations, and more efficient cooling devices, this is changing.

The benefits of laser hair removal

Not only does laser hair removal reduce unwanted hair on the body, but as a result, it can also be used to treat common skin concerns such as razor bumps, hyperpigmentation (darkened areas of skin), and hypopigmentation. Because the laser targets the hair follicle and reduces hair growth, it prevents the follicle from becoming inflamed. Plus, as the hair on your body decreases, it eliminates the need for shaving, which is often the culprit behind razor bumps and the dark patches associated with them. For those who have discoloration or bumps caused by hair growth, over time laser hair removal may also improve the texture of your skin.

The best laser for dark complexions

If you tried to get laser hair removal on a darker complexion in the early 2000s, you were probably turned away because old lasers weren’t created to work on these skin types. But now, newer lasers can distinguish between the pigment of the skin and hair follicles, making it possible to safely and effectively treat melanin-rich skin.

According to Dr. Charles, laser hair removal is “incredibly effective” for people with darker complexions when performed with a laser that provides a 1064 nanometer laser wavelength of light. Lasers such as the Nd:YAG have a 1064 nanometer wavelength, and this long wavelength bypasses the melanin found in the skin and solely targets the melanin, or pigment, of the hair follicle.

“This particular wavelength is safest for skin of color because the wavelength penetrates the skin deeply enough to destroy the hair follicles without destroying the surrounding melanocytes [which are the cells in your skin that produce pigment],” says DiAnne Davis, MD, FAAD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist located in Dallas, TX. This is important because the destruction of the melanocytes can lead to pigmentary alterations such as hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation, she adds.

According to Dr. Charles, laser hair removal is very safe with minimal side effects, “assuming that the person doing it is using the right laser and understands the mechanics of treating darker skin,” he says.

The biggest issue when performing laser hair removal on dark skin comes from the heat that the lasers produce, says Dr. Charles. The intensity of the heat can potentially heat up melanin and harm the skin, leading to pigment changes like post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation. This is why it’s imperative to use a laser that will solely target the pigmentation of the hair follicle and not your skin, and get services from people who have experience working with skin of color.

When looking for a provider, “The brand of the laser is not as important as the specific wavelength of the laser,” says Dr. Davis. Instead of simply booking a session at the location your favorite celebs frequent or your friends swear by, make sure first and foremost they have a laser that’s safe for your skin.

Good candidates for laser hair removal

Before you invest in laser hair removal it’s important to find out if you’re a good candidate to receive treatment. According to Dr. Charles, no matter the amount of melanin in your skin or how light or dark your complexion is, you can get laser hair removal. “But the people that tend to do the best have coarse, thick hair and darker hair, and that’s because the light source in the laser tends to see that hair the best, so it picks up the hair and it really zaps it,” he says.

People with dark brown or black hair tend to see the best results with laser, adds Dr. Davis. If you have light brown, grey, or white hair, unfortunately, you aren’t considered a good candidate for laser hair removal as the laser won’t be able to detect the melanin of the hair follicles.

Most people will see success with laser hair removal, but there are areas, such as the upper lip, which are harder to treat because that hair tends to be finer. Most professionals will still treat this spot, but because it tends to be resistant to treatment (and because excess hair growth in the area can sometimes be caused by hormones), you may not see drastic results and will likely need to do multiple sessions to see any results at all.

Things to keep in mind before your first laser hair removal treatment

There are a few things you’ll want to be aware of before you book your initial session. First, you’ll want to take stock of your skin-care routine and consult your dermatologist or laser provider. If you use products that contain ingredients like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide on areas you plan on getting treated, professionals may recommend you stop using them altogether, or at least press pause on them for a few days before and after your treatment. According to Dr. Davis, this is because they can cause increased sensitivity of the skin and in conjunction with laser hair removal, you run the risk of irritation or more serious issues such as your skin peeling off and scarring.

Dr. Charles doesn’t stop his patients from using topicals on treatment areas, but he doesn’t recommend using retinol or retinoids immediately after getting treated. “That said, it is ok to start your skin-care regimen a couple of days after treatment assuming that all went well with the treatment,” he says. For those on Accutane, Dr. Charles doesn’t recommend getting treatment, as the skin can respond unpredictably.

And if you’re pregnant, it’s also advised that you hold off on treatment, as studies haven’t evaluated the safety of laser hair removal during pregnancy.

How to prepare for a laser hair removal session

“Before your laser hair removal appointment, you will want to have a consultation with your board-certified dermatologist to review your medical history and discuss goals you want to achieve so you can be fully educated on exactly how the treatments will work,” says Dr. Davis.

Before purchasing any sessions, I highly recommend setting up an appointment to spot test the areas you want to get laser on. First, you’ll be able to get a feel for the practice and whether or not you like it and your provider, and most importantly, you’ll be able to find out if you’ll have any adverse effects to the treatment. My biggest fear was getting burned on my vagina and having permanent scars (and wasting my money), so in my opinion, it’s worth the caution and extra appointment.

“Avoid waxing, avoid plucking, avoid electrolysis to the area [being treated] for at least three or four weeks” prior to your sessions, adds Dr. Charles. But if you’re adamant about removing hair in between sessions, “shaving is the best thing to do,” he says.

You’ll want to avoid waxing, as it removes the entire hair follicle, and in order for the laser to work, you need a little bit of hair as the laser detects the pigment of the hair follicle. Most providers recommend shaving a day or two before your session for best results, but this varies by technician and location, so make sure to speak with your provider to find out their specific recommendations and guidelines.

In my experience, shaving two days prior to your session is the best, especially if you always miss patches of hair. I find that the first shave gets most of the hair and the second shave allows you to go over any spots you initially missed. Worst case scenario, your provider will shave any missed areas before the fun begins.

What to expect during your laser hair removal session

For those who have begun their research, you’ve probably heard laser hair removal providers or friends who have gone through with it say that it’s painless. And to that, I call BS, respectfully. While we all have different pain tolerance levels, I think it’s safe to say that laser removal is uncomfortable. In my opinion, it feels like heated rubber bands getting snapped against your skin. I know that description sounds horrible, but the silver lining is that the discomfort only lasts for a split second.

I haven’t gotten laser all over my body, but can attest that there are definitely areas that are way more sensitive than others. For example, the vulva. There are no words to describe what that feels like, and I recommend going to your happy place, taking deep breaths, and squeezing the shit out of the stress balls.

To help manage the discomfort of getting a full Brazilian, I like to use numbing cream ($17). I apply it about an hour before I need to leave home, let it stay on for at least 20 minutes (the longer the better), and it drastically reduces any discomfort. That said, I recommend speaking with your provider to see what products they do and don’t recommend.

At the end of the day, you will more than likely experience some level of discomfort, and instead of abiding by the “suck it up” mentality, let your provider know so that they can give you a break or decrease the intensity of the laser.

What to expect after a laser hair removal session

After your session, you may experience minor bumps on your skin due to inflammation of the hair follicles, “but those typically go away within a day or so,” says Dr. Charles. He adds that redness is also common, and he tends to give people a mild topical steroid to use for a few days following the session in order to reduce it. Speaking from personal experience, providers typically offer aloe vera gel to soothe the skin immediately after performing treatment on each area.

You should avoid sun exposure and use sunscreen or moisturizer with SPF to prevent burning, as your skin will be more photosensitive than normal. This is because the laser has damaged the hair follicle which can initially cause redness and irritation to the treated area, similar to when you get a skin-care treatment on your face, making you more susceptible to damage from UV rays.

How long does it take to see results from laser hair removal

After feeling like you’ve been popped with thousands of rubber bands, you may be wondering how long it will take to see results. “You’ll typically see anywhere between a 50 percent and 90 percent reduction of hair with the first treatment,” says Dr. Charles, adding that it usually takes around five sessions to see major differences.

I didn’t believe this was true until I started experiencing moments where 20 to 30 pieces of “dead” hair would fall out onto my washcloth as I washed my body and into my hands as I applied lotion. This may seem odd at first, but it’s a good indicator that your sessions are working and aren’t being done in vain.

You should also expect to see less hair growth after a few sessions. At times, it may look patchy, because your hair grows in different phases and some areas tend to be more stubborn than others. “It is important to adhere to a consistent, monthly routine when starting laser hair removal,” says Dr. Charles. This is because your hair typically grows in three phases: the growth phase, the resting phase, and the regression phase.

“Different portions of the hair will enter a growth phase at different time points after the laser hair removal treatment, while other areas will be in a resting or regression phase. Therefore, it is crucial for the success of the treatments to follow up with monthly treatments to capture new areas undergoing growth,” says Dr. Charles. And although this is anecdotal, I’ve found from my own experience that being consistent with your sessions reduces the level of pain from treatment to treatment.

It’s worth mentioning again that though laser treatments can make a big difference in the amount of hair on your body, it’s not considered permanent hair removal. Because factors like hormones can continue to impact your hair growth, you’ll still need to go in for maintenance sessions even after you’re “done.”

With all of that said, laser hair removal is definitely a time, emotional, and financial commitment, so before you book a session, make sure that you’re confident in the provider and ready to commit to at least six months of consistent treatment.

Ipl Hair Removal

• pain, discomfort or tenderness.
• red skin that may last for some time.
• crusting, blistering, bruising or swelling of your skin.
• lightening or darkening of your skin.
• scarring.
• burns from the laser’s heat.
• bacterial infections.

This light source heats and destroys hair follicles in the skin, which disrupts hair growth.

Common areas to treat are the face, chest, legs, arms, underarms and bikini line.

What to think about before you have laser hair removal

Laser hair removal may have side effects, it has limitations, and it can be expensive.

Safety

Laser hair removal is safe, but it can occasionally cause side effects, such as pain and discomfort, and red skin that may last for some time.

It may also not be suitable for everyone, including pregnant women and people with certain skin types.

There’s no evidence to suggest that laser hair removal causes skin cancer.

It’s important to make sure the person doing your laser hair removal is experienced and suitably qualified.

Check they’re on a register to show they meet set standards in training, skill and insurance.

Avoid practitioners who have only completed a short training course.

It’s not permanent

You’ll need regular sessions to keep hair from regrowing.

How often sessions are needed varies for each person. For example, you may need a session to remove facial hair every 4 weeks, and for body hair every 6 to 8 weeks.

There’s no guarantee laser hair removal will get rid of all the hair.

It does not work well on dark skin

Laser hair removal works better on people with pale skin and dark hair.

It’s not as effective on tanned skin or hair that’s been bleached by the sun. If you’ve got a tan you’ll need to let it fade before having treatment.

Cost

The cost of laser hair removal depends on the area of the body being treated and the number of treatments needed.

For example, for single treatments it may cost around:

• £85 for the upper lip
• £110 for under the arms
• £130 for the bikini line
• £270 for the arms

What laser hair removal involves

You’ll need to shave the area of skin the day before your appointment.

On the day, you’ll wear specially designed goggles to protect your eyes.

The practitioner usually applies a cool gel or cooling air spray to the area of skin.

They then press a handheld device to your skin and trigger the laser. This may feel like an elastic band snapping at your skin.

Each session may take between 15 minutes to over an hour.

The number of sessions needed depends on the area to be lasered and the system used.

Afterwards

The affected area may be red with a raised rash for a few hours to a few days.

Regularly holding an ice pack to the skin may help (try a pack of frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel).

Your skin will be more sensitive to the sun after laser hair removal. It’s best to avoid exposing the treated area of skin to sunlight until after the treatment course has finished.

Regardless of the weather, use sunscreen (minimum SPF30) for at least 4 weeks on exposed areas that have been treated.

Rarely, laser hair removal can result in:

• pain, discomfort or tenderness
• red skin that may last for some time
• crusting, blistering, bruising or swelling of your skin
• lightening or darkening of your skin
• scarring
• burns from the laser’s heat
• bacterial infections.

Laser hair removal is a godsend for those who want to eliminate fuzz permanently, but it can be complicated for people of color. A common misconception is that laser hair removal is not safe for skin with high levels of melanin. I personally never thought I could benefit from laser hair removal. I was told by two facilities that they could not accommodate my skin tone because the advancements in the industry had not been updated to serve people of color. This was in 2009. According to Christian Karavolas, the owner of Romeo and Juliette Laser Hair Removal in NYC, and Andrea Young, the founder and owner of Beam Laser Spa, the laser game has significantly changed since then.

Karavolas reiterated that a number of his patients have assumed laser was not safe for people of color. Young added that the myth stems from a time when patients of color would be treated with the Alexandrite laser and would encounter adverse reactions and side effects—like hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation—from being treated with the incorrect wavelength.

Here, Karavolas and Young break down what to look for, how to prepare, and the perfect lasers for all people of color, including multiracial and albino individuals.

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What to look for in your laser hair removal provider:

People of color should look for a certain laser called the Nd:YAG. “For women or men of color interested in doing laser hair removal, the most important thing is to make sure they are getting treatments with a YAG laser,” says Young. Karavolas explains that the laser operates differently to make it safe for people of color. “Nd:YAG lasers have a long pulse wavelength and bypasses the epidermis. Since it bypasses the epidermis, it does not hurt the epidermis, meaning it does not burn the skin,” explains Karavolas. “With that laser you are able to effectively disable the reproductive cycle of the hair within the follicle meaning you can effectively remove hair without hurting the skin.”

A good specialist will test your skin tone:

When in doubt, get tested. Because skin tones can differ from person to person, it’s important that the setting is chosen specifically for your skin tone. Karavolas at Romeo and Juliette Laser Hair Removal uses the Fitzpatrick skin typing test to determine the patient’s skin color and the appropriate laser. The patient will receive a score from one to thirty-six to determine what wavelength laser to use.

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The results of the Fitzpatrick skin test decide which laser to use, but it’s also important to notice the settings. “Once you decide which laser to use, obviously the darker the person you have to make the settings a little gentler to not burn the skin,” says Karavolas.

Prepare your body for laser:

Just like any treatment or procedure it’s important to prep the area that’s about to get blasted. “Make sure the area that will be lasered has not been waxed, threaded, plucked or used any other method of hair removal that pulls out the root for at least 8 weeks,” Young notes. “Abstain from using any harsh products on the area to be lasered for at least two weeks before getting lasered and subsequently after the treatments. These include retinols, alpha, beta and glycolic acids, or topical acne medications.”

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What about albino and multiracial individuals, are they candidates?

“On albinos, on somebody who has discoloration or hyperpigmentation, light therapy like an IPL treatment are recommended to bring the pigment up,” explains Karavolas. “We do treat albino clients but we do test patches and wait a few days to make sure they react well.”

A special process also exists for multi-racial candidates. “We have a lot of biracial clients who have mixed parents, Italian mother, African American father from Kenya, Uganda,” Karavolas says. “The cooling of the skin is very important because if you don’t cool the skin, no matter what the energy is, you might give somebody a temporary burn which would resolve itself but it’s best to avoid that and take precautions like we do.”