Ipl Laser Hair Removal For Pubic Hair>Getting rid of pubic hair with ipl laser is a terrific way to save time and money compared to other methods, such as shaving or waxing. Ipl Laser Hair Removal For Pubic Hair is excellent solution of unwanted hair in ladies, and it’s also safe and effective for removing other types of unwanted hair. As it is more effective than other methods like waxing and shaving, this method is becoming increasingly popular.
The pubic region is an ideal candidate for ipl laser treatment, while it can be utilized anywhere unwanted hair is a problem. This is because its unique wavelength selectively targets coarse or black hair without causing as much harm to the surrounding skin as other lasers might.
Private area hair removal with IPL works best when the skin is hair-free, and only when the device is in direct contact with the skin. Hair removal cream is not advisable as a pre-treatment, as it is more likely to cause skin irritation. Read on to learn more on how to use ipl on bikini area/can i use ipl on anus.
Ipl Laser Hair Removal For Pubic Hair
Why isn’t IPL suitable for darker skin tones?
Since dark skin contains more melanin, it could absorb more than the safe, recommended amount of light energy which may cause discomfort.
Do I need to stay out of the sun before IPL?
If your skin tone got darker due to artificial or natural tanning and your skin does not suffer from any irritation the Braun Silk-expert Pro device can be used as it will automatically adjust the energy level to the safest and most efficacious level and it will also tell you should your skin have become to dark for treatment.
Is it suitable for men to use?
Men can use Braun Silk-expert Pro from the shoulders down (chest, back, arms, stomach, legs). It should not be used on the face, neck or genital area. Use on male beards or facial hair may lead to uneven results.
2. Starting treatment – How to best use Silk- expert Pro
Is IPL suitable for intimate areas?
IPL is safe for use on the bikini line, but it isn’t suitable for the genital area where the skin may have a darker colour and where there is a greater hair density, which would absorb more light energy and may cause discomfort.
Can I use IPL on my face?
Braun Silk-expert Pro is safe for use on the face below the cheekbones. It shouldn’t be used near the eyes and along the forehead. It works effectively on the upper lip, chin and jawline. We recommend doing a patch test before use.
3. After treatment
How long will it take to see results?
The typical hair growth cycle varies between individuals and could take up to 18-24 months, depending on body area (underarm, lower leg and bikini area can take the most time). Since only hairs in their growing phase are susceptible to treatment with light, it is important to do multiple treatments to achieve continuously smooth skin. For this reason, we recommend a start-up phase of 4-12 weekly treatments to achieve optimum results. If you no longer see hair growing, you do not need to complete the full 12 weekly treatments. You can switch to maintenance treatments.
How often will I have to treat to maintain the hair removal results?
After completing your start-up phase, you can continue to treat according to your needs. Retreat on a per need basis.
How should I care for my skin after IPL?
We recommend avoiding exposure to artificial light sources, such as tanning booths or solariums. Avoid any activity or skin products that may irritate your skin for 24 hours after treatment. This includesusing hot tubs or saunas, wearing tight- fitting clothing, using bleaching creams, perfumed products or peeling products. The above may cause irritation, such as itching and redness, in the treated areas.
Do I need to stay out of the sun after IPL?
After treatment, we recommend using sunscreen SPF 15 whenever treated areas may be exposed to the sun.
Can Silk-expert Pro be used by women who are pregnant or teenagers?
As the product has not been tested among these groups it should not be used.
Do I need to use gels or buy replacement lamps?
Braun Silk-expert Pro works without the need of additional lotions or gels and there is no need to purchase replacement lamps like with other devices.
Do I need to wear goggles?
There is no need to wear goggles when using Silk-expert Pro. The skin contact sensors ensure that the device can only be triggered when in contact with the skin and the light visible during treatment is perfectly safe.
Can I Use Ipl On Anus
IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light – it works by concentrating a beam of light onto hair follicles, heating them up and stunting regrowth.
One of the best things about IPL devices is that they are easy to use at home and can cut down on trips to the salon. You should also note that IPL devices can usually only be used on fair to medium-brown tones and with hair ranging from natural blonde to dark brown / black – so be sure to check whether they are suitable for you.
IPL is an affordable hair removal method and easy to do yourself with our guide.
How does IPL work and what are the benefits?
IPL is a progressive treatment that offers full body hair removal – but you can use IPL to treat separate areas, such as your arms, legs, or bikini area, depending your individual needs. When using IPL, you’ll hold a flashgun device that delivers a spectrum of light to the skin. These rays of light target melanin, which helps it reach the hair root and disable key areas within the follicle.
Not quite convinced yet? See below for some of the main benefits of using IPL , compared to other hair removal methods:
- You can undergo IPL hair removal in the comfort of your own home, applying these gentle flashes of light around your desired body areas after shaving.
- IPL results in your hair becoming thinner and less noticeable, as it naturally sheds and regrows at a much slower pace.
- With epilating or waxing, you’re advised not to shave for a few weeks before treatment, which can lead to stubbly body hair during that in-between period – not ideal if you want to hit the beach and try out that new swimsuit! You won’t have to worry about this with IPL, as you’re actually advised to shave before treatment. Shaving before your IPL hair removal treatment helps the light beam to focus in on the hair root.
- When using IPL, you’ll need to shave less and less as your treatments go on. As the hair follicles will be empty, you’ll notice fewer ingrown hairs and less stubble ‘shadow’.
- IPL treatment helps to smooth out the texture of your skin, whereas waxing or threading can cause inflammation
Not all IPL devices deliver the same results. You may have to undergo treatment for months with some IPLs, whereas the Braun Silk Expert Pro 5 takes just 4 weeks to achieve visible hair reduction, with smooth skin up to 6 months.*
It’s been especially designed with a skin sensor to automatically detect the tone of your skin, so that it is always adapting the flash intensity, which is safer and removes hair more efficiently.
Does IPL hurt? Separating myth from reality
It’s a common assumption that IPL isn’t a pain-free method of hair removal, due to the fact it uses beams of light to heat up the hair follicle. The truth is that you’ll barely feel a thing when using Braun IPL devices, which benefit from a range of comfort modes, so you can safely and gently use it across your body. You might feel a light flick during flashes, but never anything close the pain you’d experience when waxing or threading.
Busting other myths about IPL hair removal
1) It won’t work on dark skin tones
When there is more melanin present in the skin, the IPL needs to adjust the intensity of light to avoid the beam from focusing on the skin, instead of the hair follicle. When IPL was new to the market, most devices were unsafe or ineffective for darker skin tones, as there wasn’t yet technology available that could adapt the IPL intensity to a person’s skin tone. Nowadays, there are IPL devices that can automatically adapt the light intensity to match your skin pigmentation, whether you have fair, olive, or dark skin – though it’s important to read the label carefully, to ensure you’re buying the best IPL for you.
2) IPL hair removal isn’t permanent
While IPL doesn’t get rid of every follicle of hair on your body at the same time, it can progressively deliver permanent hair reduction. As hair grows in stages, not all follicles will be ‘full’ with hair when you undergo an IPL treatment. Since only hairs in their growing phase are susceptible to treatment with light, it is important to do multiple IPL treatments to achieve long-lasting, continuously smooth skin.
3) IPL devices are expensive and require maintenance
Using IPL at home means you can remove hair across multiple body areas and only spend on one treatment. While multiple trips to the salon can add up and become expensive, you can save money in the long run by using the Braun Silk-expert Pro. There’s no need to buy replacement lamps or lotions to use with the device – and best of all, its average lifespan is 15 years, which means you’ll be saving more and more as time passes.
4) You cannot IPL in summer
It’s perfectly safe to IPL during the summer months, though you should take extra care to wear sunscreen of at least 30 SPF to avoid burning. If your skin has become darker and tanned from the sun, your Silk-expert Pro IPL can detect this and adjust the light intensity accordingly.
Can IPL be safely used around sensitive areas?
It’s important to note that some areas of the body may be more sensitive than others and require a gentler form of hair removal: such as the bikini line. The Silk-expert Pro has been designed with a range of comfort modes, including an extra gentle setting especially designed for treating sensitive areas, which will help to reduce the chance of ingrown pubic hairs.
That being said, you should avoid using your IPL on extra-sensitive areas such as the genitals, nipples, or anus, as this could cause inflammation.
Using your IPL Safely: Before and After Treatment
Before your treatment
- Avoid tanning booths, sunbeds, spray tans and tanning creams
- Ensure there are no open wounds, broken skin, or enflamed areas on the skin you’re planning to treat
- Avoid intense exfoliation treatments, such as microdermabrasion, as this increases the risk of inflammation and side effects after your IPL hair removal
- Shave the area you’re planning to treat 12 to 24 hours beforehand
After your treatment
- Don’t wear tight-fitting clothes after treatment, this can irritate your skin
- Don’t use skin products that may irritate your skin, such as perfume, cleansers or exfoliators, for 24 – 48 hours after treatment.
- Avoid hot showers, steam rooms and saunas
- Wear sunscreen with a high SPF to keep the skin protected
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.
How To Use Ipl On Bikini Area
After you’ve determined that it is indeed the bikini line treatment you’re seeking; the first step is to go and hop in the shower. Wash away any sweat and dirt from the day’s events. You can also assess the area you will be targeting with the laser. If the hair is any longer than stubble, we suggest you shave.
Use a fresh, never-before-used razor for the most effortless experience. Your bikini line does not be utterly bare before treatment; it may be easier to find the right starting point if there is a bit of a “guide” to show you. It is also essential to:
- Be sure you don’t wax or pluck hairs; only shaving is safe.
- Dry the area thoroughly before starting.
- Avoid applying any products to the area after showering.
- Do not use the laser hair removal machine on tattoos.
STARTING THE PROCESS
Bareskin’s IPL hair removal device is straightforward to use. If there is any confusion, refer to the provided manual that comes with every unit for further clarification. Otherwise, the first thing you should do is find your protective eyewear and a comfortable position by an outlet to plug in your machine.
Before turning it on, apply the head of the device at a perpendicular angle against your bikini line, with the head lying as flat as you can manage. Then you can get started. If this is your first time using Bareskin’s IPL device, or if it is your first time using it in this particular area, start your machine on its lowest setting. Move the device in small, circular motions as you follow along your pre-determined path. Please do NOT go back over a segment of skin once it has been treated.
These at-home sessions are typically free of pain, but every experience with an IPL device is different from the person using it. If you or someone you know is having trouble with a stinging or burning sensation, they should use a lower setting. However, if you are already using the lowest setting and there is still significant irritation to the skin, then there are a few things you can do to help.
Even if you aren’t experiencing any post-treatment pain, keeping the area clean and as comfortable as possible is highly recommended. Avoid no clingy clothing, genital care products, or tanning after using
the device.
It would be best if you also remembered that:
- Darker skin pigments are more prone to burns.
- IPL hair removal works best with lighter skin and darker hair.
On a side note, the Bareskin device does not burn or cause any harm. We have never had one complaint about burning or pain when using the device or after using the device.
After finishing up, you won’t have to worry about doing a treatment again for a while. It would be best to use the Bareskin device three times per week for the first two months during your first two months. After that initial period, you’ll only have to do it once every month. As each session comes and goes, you should slowly work up the intensity scale. Setting five is the highest setting.
This way, you can observe which setting works best for both your skin and hair removal. Soon your sessions will fly by with minimal hair growth between treatments. To get to these results, however, you must follow the steps above every single time and do not stray from your schedule.
Getting to this point with your Bareskin IPL hair removal device will take time, dedication, and luck. It’s true that not every skin type can achieve this goal regardless of the effort they put in, but these same people can have thinner, slower growing hair with these steps:
- Take a shower; scrub the bikini area you are treating.
- Shave the bikini area with a sharp, clean razor. No waxing or plucking.
- Let the area dry completely. Do not apply cosmetics or other products to the skin.
- Set up your laser hair removal device in a comfortable part of your home.
- Place the device at a 90-degree angle with the head against the bikini area.
- Turn on the device, starting with the lowest intensity and working your way up.
- Move the device in small, circular motions; do not pass over an area more than once.
- Keep the treated skin clean and clear of irritants after your session.
- Observe hair growth and reactions of the skin and plan the subsequent treatment accordingly.
- Repeat once every two weeks for two months and then once every month afterwards.
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.”