| There is a myth that people with dark skin can't | | | | Some doctors may try to lighten the skin before |
| benefit from laser hair removal. While that used to | | | | the procedure. This can be as simple as a patient |
| be somewhat true, advances in laser technology | | | | with a deep tan staying out of the sun as much |
| means anyone seeking hair removal in Philadelphia | | | | as possible to allow skin to lighten. There are also |
| should consider the procedure regardless of skin | | | | creams that can temporarily lighten skin several |
| type. | | | | shades. These techniques take weeks to work so |
| Why Is Dark Skin a Problem? | | | | patients are advised to seek a consultation as |
| In the early days of laser removal, doctors | | | | early as possible once they decide on hair |
| discovered that the lasers reacted with the | | | | removal. Other procedures help protect the skin |
| melanin in people's skin. Our body uses melanin to | | | | from damage. For example a doctor might cool |
| protect us from potential sun damage, and this | | | | the skin with a chilled plate or a spray to protect |
| defense mechanism reduced the usefulness of | | | | it during the procedure. |
| the laser treatments. It not only made it difficult | | | | What Can Patients Do To Get Optimal |
| to perform hair removal effectively but patients | | | | Treatment? |
| also ran the risk of skin damage. | | | | Hair removal on patients with dark skin requires a |
| Since those early days, a number of advances | | | | degree of finesse and experience. One of the |
| have been make that allow a wider range of | | | | best steps patients can take is to shop around |
| patients to benefit from permanent hair removal | | | | and find a clinic with experience treating all skin |
| techniques. New types of lasers have been | | | | types. This is particularly important for patients of |
| developed that can treat a variety of skin types. | | | | African or Middle Eastern descent since they are |
| Doctors have learned techniques that improve the | | | | likely to have the darkest skin tones. |
| effectiveness of lasers used on dark skin and | | | | Since doctors have to approach the procedure |
| reduce the chance of skin damage. The | | | | more carefully to avoid damaging dark skin, these |
| techniques and laser used will depend on the | | | | patients typically require more sessions than a |
| individual patients. | | | | lighter-skinned patient would. Ask your doctor |
| New Technologies Expand Treatment Options | | | | how many sessions will be required so you can |
| Longer wavelength lasers are less likely to interact | | | | budget your time and money accordingly. This |
| with the melanin in the patient's skin. This makes it | | | | procedure in Philadelphia is easily available for |
| easier for the doctor to direct the laser to the | | | | patients of any race or skin type. Find a physician |
| hair's root where it needs to go. These hair | | | | experienced with treating dark-skinned patients |
| removal lasers still will interact with the skin to | | | | and enjoy the benefits of permanent hair |
| some extent, but are safer for a wider variety of | | | | removal. |
| skin tones. | | | | |