According to laser hair removal information-- the most important considerations with laser hair removal treatments are the patient's skin type, hair color and the degree of contrast in color between the two. The differential absorption of melanin in the hair follicle and melanin in the skin epidermis determines the amount of laser energy that can be safely used for various methods of laser hair removal. The ideal patient has light skin with black hair (i.e. a very sharp contrast with lots of pigment in the hair but very little pigment in the skin).
Shorter laser light wavelengths, such as from the ruby laser hair removal with a wavelength of 694nm, and alexandrite laser @ 755nm, must be used with caution in darker skinned patients, because of the risk of pain, blistering, and hypopigmentation. Dark hair absorbs laser light better than blond or red hair, and therefore laser hair removal works better for this type of hair. However, most patients with blond or red hair also have lighter skin and this allows for the safe use of higher laser energies. No currently available laser hair removal treatment device works well in patients with grey hair (canites) because of the absence of melanin.
Precautions with laser hair removal
Before undergoing laser hair removal treatment it is advisable that any underlying cause for the excess hair, if present, is corrected first. These causes may include endocrine abnormalities and medication effect, including minoxidil, steroids, oral contraceptives, and some immunosuppressive agents.
A patient with very dark skin with white or grey hair would have little if any response to laser hair removal and the laser hair removal treatment will not do any good in such case.
Latest laser hair removal treatment for darker skin types
The long pulse Nd:Yag laser is the newest laser hair removal treatment available with professional laser hair removal clinics for the darker skin types. Since the 1064nm infrared beam is poorly absorbed by skin and pigment, this laser hair removal method can be used safely in all skin types, including patients with tanned skin or moderate pigmentation. The laser light can be applied to the skin in a large spot size. This, along with a fast repetition rate of energy application allows large areas of skin to be treated quickly. This in fact is the biggest advantage of using this type of laser hair removal treatment.
As a laser hair removal treatment, the Nd:Yag laser delivers two different wave lengths of light. The first wavelength is an invisible infrared light used for deeper penetration to reach deeper into the skin and into the hair follicles. The second wavelength, a green light, is used for treating hair follicles closer to the skin's surface. In both cases, the Q-switching device emits rapid bursts of laser light to the treatment site.
There are also some disadvantages of using the Nd:Yag laser. The disadvantage of using this laser hair removal includes more discomfort during treatment and less effective clearance of fine and light hair as compared to the other hair removal lasers.