Ipl Laser Hair Removal For Asian Skin

Ipl Laser Hair Removal For Asian Skin

Intense pulsed light (IPL) laser hair removal is currently the gold standard in the industry. It uses a concentrated beam of light to disable hair growth at its source. Each session of the process typically lasts around 10 minutes. Those of Asian, Hispanic, and African American descent, among others, may benefit from this therapy. Burns are the most likely hazard if it is not done by an expert.

The treatment is most effective on black or brown hair that is coarse and thick. Because of the risk of permanent scarring, it is not suggested for people with fair skin and fine, naturally blonde or red hair.

Face and neck areas have seen a rise in the use of laser hair removal, making it one of the most frequent methods worldwide. Laser hair removal is popular because it lasts longer than other methods and produces better results. Hair that grows back is typically thinner and paler than the original. Laser treatments can be more challenging on Asians because their skin is thinner and more easily damaged by the sun than that of Caucasians. Read on to learn more on ndyag laser hair removal/laser hair removal asian skin reddit.

Ipl Laser Hair Removal For Asian Skin

Laser Hair Removal can be performed safely on Asian skin types after a successful patch test has been carried out. The treatment is ideal for reducing the amount of unwanted hair growth as well as resolving issues with ingrown hairs.

Here at The Private Clinic we specialise in laser hair removal for Asian skin and darker skin types. Darker skin types have the tendency to be more delicate which is why our skilled practitioners will only use the most advanced techniques  with lasers that are tailored to your  skin type to ensure that you get the best results from your treatment.

Asian and Arabic skin have a history of being tricky to treat which is why many patients of this skin type have previously not even considered Laser Hair Removal as being an option for unwanted hair growth. Many Asian skin types fall into the Fitzpatrick skin type 4 which is the widest skin type range and those in this range tend to have more melanin compared to those with skin type 1-3. Those with skin type 4 are more sensitive to laser treatments due to the higher amount of melanin in the skin.

The Fitzpatrick scale is a numerical skin classification scheme used to determine the skin response to UV light. At your initial consultation, your Fitzpatrick skin type will be discussed to determine the correct method of treatment to suit your skin.

Skin Type	Typical Appearance	Skin Reaction
1	White – Ivory Skin tone Blue or light eyes Blonde or Red hair Freckles	Always burns, never tans
2	Fair – Light beige skin tone Red or blonde hair Blue, green or hazel eyes	Usually burns, difficulty tanning
3	Beige – Light Brown skin tone Darker Caucasian, European mix, light Asian	Risk of burning, gradual tan
4	Olive – Medium brown skin tone Brown hair and dark eyes Mediterranean, Asian, Hispanic, Native American	Low risk of burning, tans easily
5	Brown – Dark Brown skin tone Brown eyes, dark brown/black hair Hispanic, Afro-American, Middle Eastern, Indian	Rarely burns, easily tans
6	Very dark brown – black skin tone Brown eyes, dark brown/black hair Afro-American, African	Never burns, always tans

Our Laser Practitioners have all received specialised training covering laser hair removal or Asian, Arabic and ethic skin types. The best option is to book in for a free laser hair removal consultation to correctly determine your skin type and assess your suitability for treatment.Melanin is what gives skin it’s colour and it is also present in the hair follicle. Laser Hair removal works by targeting the melanin in the hair follicle but some laser can mistakenly target the melanin in the skin too meaning those with more melanin in the skin are at a higher risk of burning and pigmentation. We reduce this risk by using specialist lasers set to the correct wavelength and depth of penetration to allow the heat to absorb the hair follicle but avoid damaging the surrounding skin.

Our Laser Practitioners have all received specialised training covering laser hair removal or Asian, Arabic and ethic skin types. The best option is to book in for a free laser hair removal consultation to correctly determine your skin type and assess your suitability for treatment.

The Problem

Laser Hair Removal for Asian skin can be difficult due to the amount of melanin in the skin. The good news is that we specalise in treating all skin types for laser hair removal.

Laser Hair Removal

• The upper lip, chin, beard and jaw line
• Underarms and arms
• Legs and bikini line
• Back and shoulders
• Chest and abdomen
• Nose, neck and ears

Want to understand the difference between Laser Hair Removal and IPL?

The results from Laser Hair Removal can be life changing. You will require a course of treatment to achieve the best results but once complete you will notice a signification reduction in hair growth in the treated areas with smoother skin. During the treatment you will also notice that your hair will appear softer, finer and lighter in colour.

Downtime

• Plucking or waxing the treated area
• Hot showers or baths for 48 hours
• Direct sunlight for 2-4 weeks
• Deodorant for 24 hours (underarms only)
• Exercise/ Sauna for 48 hours

Laser Hair Removal Asian Skin Reddit

Laser hair removal is an FDA-approved treatment for permanent reduction of unwanted hair. It works by targeting the pigment in hair follicles, causing them to shrink and eventually die.

While laser hair removal is safe for all skin types, there are some instances where it may be more suitable for certain skin types. For example, people with dark skin may have a higher risk of scarring or hyperpigmentation after treatment.

In this article, we will examine whether laser hair removal is suitable for Asian skin. We will also discuss how to determine if you are an appropriate candidate for the procedure and what steps to take before undergoing laser hair removal asian skin reddit.

Laser hair removal is a treatment that uses laser energy to destroy the hair follicle, which prevents new hair from growing.

It’s suitable for permanent removal of unwanted hair on any part of the body. The most common areas for laser hair removal are the face and neck, underarms, bikini line (pubic area), legs and arms.

Laser hair removal can be used on all skin types, but you may need more treatments than someone with fairer skin. You may have more redness, swelling or blistering at each treatment session than people with lighter skin colours.

Some people are allergic to the dye that’s used during laser therapy. Laser hair removal isn’t suitable for everyone; talk to your doctor before having it done.

Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy is typically used for hair removal, but it can also be an effective way to reduce skin pigmentation issues. But how does it work and is at-home IPL for dark spots—i.e. the DIY option—a safe solution?

Whether you call them age spots, sun spots or just pesky annoyances, those dark spots on your complexion can be tough to get rid of. They’re caused by pigment-making cells called melanocytes that live under the surface of your skin. As your skin matures, or gets aggravated by sun exposure, those melanocytes get to work, producing melanin that leaves you with the appearance of dark spots.

So how exactly do you get rid of them? While you might have considered using at-home laser hair removal for, you know, actual hair removal—it’s also effective when it comes to erasing dark spots too.

We spoke with several skincare experts to learn more about how (and how well) intense pulsed light treatments help clear up pigmentation issues—and whether it’s something you should try at home. 

WHAT IS AN IPL TREATMENT?

How does IPL therapy work, then?

“IPL uses light energy at different specific wavelengths to treat many skin concerns,” explains Dr. Robert Morrell, M.D., founder and director of Medical Rejuvenation Centre(opens in new tab) and Di Morelli Skin Care(opens in new tab). 

“It’s used for many therapeutic purposes due to the broad spectrum of wavelengths in IPL treatments,” he says. More specifically, IPL can be used to treat pigmentation, rosacea, veins, acne and hair removal, too. 

HOW DOES IPL HELP REDUCE DARK SPOTS?

As Dr. Morrell explains, “IPL works to fade dark spots by selectively heating up the brown color with a band of light specific for brown pigment. Typically, these spots will become coffee-like granules that will shed off on the surface of the skin in five to seven days.”  

When the light penetrates your skin, the targeted heat zaps only the spots with excess melanin, and leaves the rest alone. It works to eliminate the pigmentation that you see toward the surface of your skin so that you can naturally slough off or exfoliate those cells.

Unfortunately, IPL doesn’t permanently stop or remove melanocytes from producing melanin, so your dark spots will likely return in time. However, a lot of women see significant reductions in visible dark spots after professional treatments.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF USING AN IPL LASER AT HOME?

So if getting IPL done in a professional setting works well on dark spots, can we try at-home IPL for dark spots? Using this kind of advanced technology at home sounds like risky business—and, according to the experts we consulted, it is.

“In the last few years, there has been a rapid increase in home light devices that have had very little testing,” says plastic, reconstructive, and cosmetic surgeon Dr. Simone Matousek(opens in new tab). “Home IPL devices are unregulated and should not be used for management of pigmentation, or any skin problems,” she advises. 

Both doctors noted that these DIY devices aren’t really strong enough to produce significant results. In fact, they can actually cause “darkening of pigmentation, as the intensity of home IPL units is too weak,” says Dr. Morrell. “And, if the intensity is stronger, there is a possibility of burns.” 

So, zapping your skin with an at-home IPL device might actually worsen your unwanted dark spots, by making them even darker.

“Even in the hands of trained medical practitioners, an IPL device can cause side effects,” adds Dr. Matousek. Clinical trials(opens in new tab) have found that these can include redness, rashes, blistering, swelling, and hypopigmentation—patches of skin lightening—in addition to dark spots. If powerful IPL technology is misused, it can even lead to eye injuries and scarring. 

AT-HOME IPL VS PROFESSIONAL IPL 

If you’re comparing at-home IPL devices against professional-grade equipment, the latter will always be safer and more sophisticated. 

“The more high-end IPL devices that are operated in medical practices are more tunable, have more precise targeting of skin problems, and are safer in darker skin types. Medical-grade broadband light is one such device, and is more effective and has inbuilt cooling to make it safe,” explains Dr. Matousek.

She continued, “At-home devices will likely be too weak to have any real impact, as any manufacturer would be worried about the potential of being sued. The machines that will actually have a real impact on skin problems are way more powerful than is safe for any consumer to use.”  

Moreover, despite how easy at-home IPL for dark spots might sound, managing pigmentation concerns isn’t as simple as zapping your skin a few times. According to Dr. Matousek, “It requires correct topical medication before and after such treatments; some of these can only be prescribed by a doctor.”

So, if an at-home IPL product promises to clear up dark spots in no time—without any medical oversight, topical treatment, or training—it’s probably too good to be true.

HOW TO USE IPL TO TREAT DARK SPOTS

If you want to proceed with an IPL treatment for dark spots, “You should always go see a professional; do not try it at home,” advises Dr. Morrell.

The price tag for professional treatment might be higher, but experts advise against trying a DIY device as a way to cut costs on skincare. 

As Dr. Matousek suggests, “Going to a trained plastic surgeon or dermatologist, having a proper skin assessment and treatment plan, and getting effective, evidence-based therapies is a far better use of time and money than buying a home device. There’s a reason the best lasers and light devices cost hundreds and thousands of dollars; they require precise engineering and regular checkups and tuning to keep your skin safe.”

CAN I STILL USE AN AT-HOME IPL FOR HAIR REMOVAL?

So, what if you’re already using an at-home IPL device for hair removal? Is that still safe?

These at-home devices aren’t suitable for treating skin pigmentation concerns, but they can be useful when it comes to hair removal.

Gia Jurosky, director of influencer marketing and brand strategy at RoseSkinCo(opens in new tab), a brand that makes an at-home IPL handset, notes that they are not intended as a treatment for your complexion. “While IPL can be used to treat acne scars, melasma, and other concerns, we recommend the devices for long-term hair removal,” she says. “Someone looking for an IPL skin treatment should consult a physician beforehand.”

Ndyag Laser Hair Removal

The neodymium-YAG-laser emits light pulses, which is absorbed by the endogenous dye melanin, which is contained in hair. The melanin transfers the light to the hair root, where it is converted into thermic energy and the hair cells and follicles are destroyed sustainably. This results in a stop of regeneration of hair.

Vascular lesions

• Spider and thread veins in the face (cheek, temporal region, nasal dorsum, forehead) and legs.
• Vascular birthmark (capillary vascular malformation)
• Varicose veins
• Facial veins (telangiectasia)
• Haemangioma (a vascular tumour)

The laser light pulses target red pigment (haemoglobin). Typical settings employed for the treatment of facial veins include a 50 milliseconds pulse duration, and fluence (ie output energy) of 150¬250 J/cm² (measured in Joules per centimetre squared).

Pigmented lesions

• Nd:YAG laser can be used to remove brown age spots (solar lentigines), freckles, naevus of Ota, naevus of Ito, lumbosacral melanocytosis, Hori naevus, and café-au-lait-macules.

Light pulses target melanin at variable depth on or in the skin.

Hair removal

• Nd:YAG laser may be used for hair removal in any location including underarms, bikini line, face, neck, back, chest and legs.
• Nd:YAG laser is generally ineffective for light-coloured (blonde/grey) hair, but effective for treating dark (brown/black) hair in patients of Fitzpatrick types I to III, and perhaps light-coloured type IV skin.
• Extreme caution is recommended in tanned or darker-skinned patients, as the laser can also destroy melanin, resulting in white patches of skin (leukoderma).

The longer-pulse (millisecond) 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser system has been shown to be more effective in safely removing hair than has the Q-switched (nanosecond) Nd:YAG system.

Light pulses target the hair follicle, which causes the hair to fall out and minimises further growth. Typical settings employed include pulse durations of 2 to 20 milliseconds and fluences of 10¬40 J/cm².

Tatoo removal

• Blue, grey and black tattoos can be removed with a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm wavelength).
• The colour of the tattoo and the depth of the pigment influence the duration and the outcome of the laser treatment.
• Laser treatment involves the selective destruction of ink molecules that are then absorbed by macrophages and eliminated.

Typical settings are pulse duration: 10 nanoseconds, output energy: 300¬500Mj.

Onychomycosis

• Onychomycosis is a common nail disorder caused by fungal pathogens.
• Several laser devices have been granted FDA marketing approval for the treatment of onychomycosis.
• The first two lasers that were sanctioned by the FDA for the treatment of onychomycosis (PinPointe™ FootLaser™ [Cynosure, Massachusetts, USA ] and Cutera GenesisPlus™ [Cutera, California, USA]) are both flashlamp-pumped short-pulse Nd:YAG 1064 nm lasers.
• These lasers emit 100– 3000-microsecond pulses with an energy fluence of 25.5 J/cm² for a 1 mm spot size.

Other uses of neodymium YAG laser

Nd:YAG lasers have also be used to improve wrinkles in photo-aged skin.

What does the laser procedure involve?

It is important that the correct diagnosis has been made by the clinician prior to treatment, particularly when pigmented lesions are targeted, to avoid mistreatment of skin cancer such as melanoma.

• The patient must wear eye protection (an opaque covering or goggles) throughout the treatment session.
• Treatment consists of placing a handpiece against the surface of the skin and activating the laser. Many patients describe each pulse feeling like the snapping of a rubber band against the skin.
• A topical anaesthetic may be applied to the area but is not usually necessary.
• Skin surface cooling is applied during all hair removal procedures. Some lasers have built-in cooling devices.
• Immediately following treatment, an ice pack may be applied to soothe the treated area.
• Care should be taken in the first few days following treatment to avoid scrubbing the area, and/or use of abrasive skin cleansers.
• A bandage or patch may help to prevent abrasion of the treated area.
• During the course of treatment, patients should protect the area from sun exposure to reduce the risk of postinflammatory pigmentation.

Are there any side effects from neodymium YAG laser treatment?

Side effects from Nd:YAG laser treatment are usually minor and may include:

• Pain during treatment (reduced by contact cooling and if necessary, topical anaesthetic)
• Redness, swelling and itching immediately after the procedure that may last a few days after treatment
• Rarely, skin pigment may absorb too much light energy and blistering can occur (this settles by itself)
• Changes in skin pigmentation. Sometimes the pigment cells (melanocytes) can be damaged, leaving darker (hyperpigmentation) or paler (hypopigmentation) patches of skin. Generally, cosmetic lasers will work better on people with lighter rather than darker skin tones
• Bruising affects up to 10% of patients. It usually fades on its own
• Bacterial infection.

How many laser treatments can I expect?

Vascular lesions

• Treatment time depends on the form, size and location of the lesions as well as the skin type.
• Small red vessels can usually be removed in only 1 to 3 sessions.
• Several sessions may be necessary to remove bigger veins and spider veins.

IPL hair removal is one common option, which offers a more lasting result than shaving or even waxing. (In fact, it was one of the top five most popular minimally-invasive procedures in 2020, according to the most recent Plastic Surgery Statistics Report from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons [ASPS].) While you may associate the treatment with med spas, numerous at-home IPL devices have hit the market, promising an alternative for people who’d rather take matters into their own hands. If you’re wondering whether the ability to use the tech from your home is too good to be true, here’s the full scoop.

What are at-home IPL devices?

IPL stands for intense pulsed light, the form of scattered light that these handheld tools give off. “These are devices that emit a wide spectrum of light to treat the skin,” says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. The technology is similar to but different from laser hair removal. “Technically [IPL devices] are not lasers since lasers emit only a single wavelength of light,” while IPL emits multiple wavelengths, explains Dr. Zeichner. (Related: Everything You Need to Know About Trying Laser Hair Removal at Home)

IPL can be used to treat brown spots or broken capillaries and redness in addition to its application in reducing hair production. “Different filters are used to limit the light that is delivered by the device to offer a customized treatment that addresses your particular need,” says Dr. Zeichner.

“[IPL] uses a big [dose] of light to capture certain targets in the skin,” says Azadeh Shirazi, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at La Jolla Laser Dermatology. “In terms of hair removal, the target would be melanin.” (Reminder: Melanin is a natural pigment in your skin and hair.) When the goal is hair removal, IPL devices are filtered to emit light at a wavelength of 600 to 700 nanometers, which can selectively heat and destroy melanin without heating the surrounding skin, she explains. When the light heats the melanin in a hair follicle, that causes the strand of hair to fall out and kills the hair follicle, thereby decreasing regrowth. (Although it takes multiple sessions to achieve full results, which only ever amounts to a reduction of hair growthrather than permanently eliminating new growth, according to Dr. Shirazi.)

Home IPL devices — e.g. Kenzzi, SmoothSkin, and Braun IPL devices — use the same technology at lower energies compared to what the pros use, according to Dr. Zeichner. Of course, that comes with a tradeoff. “The IPL devices in the office are obviously going to be a lot more powerful and hopefully are being used by trained professionals, whereas the IPL devices at home are going to be much weaker in terms of the amount of energy that they’re able to deliver so the results aren’t going to be as good,” says Dr. Shirazi. That said, a small study on at-home IPL devices published in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology reported a 78 percent reduction in amount of hair at the one-month mark and a 72 percent reduction after three months, with participants receiving biweekly treatments with an at-home device over the course of six weeks.

What are the perks of using at-home IPL devices?

You can use at-home IPL devices on any area of the body where hair is found, whether that means treating your facial hair or giving yourself a full Brazilian, according to Dr. Shirazi. Investing in an at-home IPL device can also save you money compared to in-office treatments. Home IPL devices typically cost around $150 to several hundred dollars, while the average cost of a single session of professional IPL cost roughly $412 in 2020, according to the ASPS report. Most people need six to 12 IPL treatments to achieve full results, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

Then there’s the convenience factor. Switching to using an IPL at home will save you time if you normally shave. To give you an idea, Braun recommends using its Silk Expert Pro 5 once a week for four to 12 weeks, then every one to two months for maintenance. Taking matters into your own hands also eliminates any awkwardness you might feel around having a stranger treat your bikini area while you attempt to make small talk. (Related: How to Shave Your Bikini Area Without Causing Irritation)

What are the downsides of trying IPL at home?

IPL can be moderately painful. It also comes with potential side effects, which is one reason why Corey L. Hartman, M.D., F.A.A.D., a board-certified dermatologist in Birmingham, Alabama, finds the idea of putting the technology in the hands of non-professionals unsettling. When used improperly, IPL can cause “blistering, redness, scarring, discoloration, hyperpigmentation, pain, oozing, or crusting,” says Dr. Hartman. “IPL devices are not casual.”

“I’ve seen some terrible burns and terrible scarring from IPL done in the office and done at home,” echoes Dr. Shirazi. “It’s tricky because you’re playing around with energy and heat and if the skin absorbs all of that, you can certainly get a burn.”

Additionally, both IPL and laser devices have the potential to do the exact opposite of what you want. “If you use conservative settings or low energy settings of light to try to remove hair,” you can actually stimulate growth,says Dr. Shirazi. “You could end up with a condition called paradoxical hair stimulation from laser treatments. The low energy is not enough to chill the hair follicle, but it’s enough to stimulate the hair follicle to grow.” That’s why you may have heard of low-level laser-emitting caps designed to promote hair growth.

Another major downside? IPL isn’t well-suited to dark skin tones or light-colored hair. “IPL is high-risk for people with dark skin tones,” who naturally have more melanin, according to Dr. Shirazi. “What happens, as the light passes through it’s going to capture the melanin on the surface of the skin. The more melanin there is on the surface of the skin the more likely it is to absorb all the energy, and then you can end up with a burn.” IPL device brands often provide charts on their websites indicating which skin tones should avoid using their products altogether.

All in all, is at-home IPL worth trying?

The experts interviewed for this story were divided on whether at-home IPL is worthwhile or even okay to try. If you buy an at-home IPL device, you can assume that it uses lower energy than professional devices, making it safe to use at home, says Dr. Zeichner. “The biggest potential risk associated with using IPL devices is the development of hyperpigmentation,” he says. “This risk is very low with at-home devices because of the safety measures put in place that allow them to be used without professional supervision.”

Not everyone gives at-home IPL devices a thumbs up. Any IPL device will be either be able to “really do some harm” or they’ll be ineffective, and that there’s no in-between, says Dr. Hartman. “I don’t understand at-home IPL devices,” he says. “I’m scared of them. I do not recommend.”

IPL technology is better suited for treating brown spots, redness, and sun damage than hair removal, he adds. When his patients ask him about IPL for hair removal, Dr. Hartman steers them toward laser hair removal instead. More specifically, Nd:YAG and alexandrite laser hair removal are ideal for dark and light skin tones, respectively, he says.”They just work better, and they have more science and studies behind them,” says Dr. Hartman. (Related: I Was ~This Close~ to Lasering Off My Pubes for Life—Here’s What Stopped Me)

Finally, IPL is fine to try at home provided you a) don’t have a dark skin tone, b) have read up on IPL, and c) have managed your expectations, in Dr. Shirazi’s opinion. “I always recommend that people do a test spot, wait a day or two and make sure that your skin is not reacting in an adverse fashion,” before using one of the devices on a large area, she says. Another pointer: “You have to be really careful around going around curved areas, so particularly around the bikini or contours of the face it’s really important to have good contact [between your skin and] the device, because if you’re at an angle or you don’t have full contact of the light with the skin you could just be delivering pure heat rather than the light,” preventing the device from functioning properly, she adds.

If you’re after a dramatic reduction in hair growth, it’s probably best to visit a pro, since they’ll use a much more powerful device, says Dr. Shirazi. “I think [at-home IPL] is fine to use as a maintenance treatment but it’s really not going to work as effectively as in-office IPL.” And IPL in general is “much weaker” than lasers for hair removal to begin with, she adds.