For the longest time, the only way to remove unwanted hair was to shave, wax, or pluck it off the skin. But that often meant dealing with the pain, irritation, discomfort, and short-term results that came with it.
But then technology came in to save the day.
While shaving and waxing are still popular today, patients have the option of bypassing all that pain and discomfort – and it’s all thanks to the recent advancements made in laser hair removal (LHR, for short).
So, what is laser hair removal, exactly?
As the name suggests, laser hair removal uses a concentrated beam of light (also known as a laser) to damage and destroy the hair follicle by targeting the pigment (melanin) that gives your hair its color.
It’s an effective treatment for the face, leg, chin, back, arm, armpit, bikini line, and other areas.
With that said, laser hair removal is still a rather new concept in the grand scheme of things – and that means there’s still a widespread amount of confusion on what it’s capable of and who can benefit from it.
But don’t worry – we’re going to debunk some of the most pressing myths surrounding LHR today.
Myth 1: LHR Doesn’t Work on Darker Skin Tones
Truth: New Technology Makes LHR Available for All Skin Tones
When the FDA first approved laser hair removal in the late-1990s, it was only effective for those with light skin tones because the lasers couldn’t differentiate between pigment in the skin and pigment in the hair.
As a result, patients with darker skin tones ran the risk of burning their skin.
But that was more than 20 years ago – that was then, and this is now.
Today, doctors have newer, more advanced lasers that use longer wavelengths that penetrate deeper into the skin tissue, making it less likely to impact the superficial melanin pigment surrounding the hair follicle.
And because of that, laser hair removal for people of color is now both safe and effective – so long as the proper laser is used. At Cynthia Salter-Lewis MD, that means using a high-tech 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser.
Myth 2: Laser Hair Removal for Dark Skin Is Permanent
Truth: LHR Is Long-Lasting (Not Permanent)
One of the biggest misconceptions about laser hair removal is that it permanently removes hair from the body – but that’s not true. In fact, it’s more of a ‘hair reduction’ technique since it only affects existing hair.
That’s why many doctors aren’t fans of the term ‘laser hair removal’ – it’s not entirely accurate.
With that said, the results from LHR last much longer than traditional methods (shaving, waxing, plucking) – and most patients can expect to maintain their results for months, even years, after the initial treatment.
But for those who want the best results, multiple treatments are needed – usually spaced a month apart.
Myth 3: LHR Causes Hair to Grow Back Thicker
Truth: If Hair Does Grow Back, It’s Usually Lighter & Thinner
We now know that laser hair removal isn’t permanent, but there’s a growing misconception out there that LHR treatment causes hair follicles to not only grow back, but grow back thicker, darker, and quicker.
In fact, this is a common misconception with most hair removal techniques – including shaving.
With LHR, new hair follicles will continue to grow – but when they do, they often grow back lighter, thinner, and at a slowed or delayed rate. So, even when it does grow back, it won’t be as noticeable as before.
There is, however, one instance where hair might grow back thicker or darker, but it’s a rare condition known as paradoxical hypertrichosis – and it only tends to affect untreated and/or adjacent areas.
Cynosure Apogee Elite: Two Wavelengths, All Skin Types
At Cynthia Salter-Lewis MD, our medical professionals are always looking for new and improved ways to give our patients the results they’ve always dreamed of – and laser hair removal treatment is no different.
That’s why we use the one-of-a-kind Cynosure Apogee Elite system.
Cynosure Apogee Elite is a state-of-the-art, dual-wavelength system that’s both safe and effective at removing hair on all skin types (including patients with melanin-rich or dark skin) and most hair colors.
- The 755nm Alexandrite laser has a high melanin absorption rate, making it a safe treatment option for those with lighter skin tones (Fitzpatrick skin types I-III), but not for darker skin tones.
- The 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser has a lower melanin absorption compared to the Alexandrite laser, but has a higher absorption by hemoglobin and water, making it effective on darker skin types.
Between the two lasers, our medical team can help just about anyone reduce (if not eliminate) the need for shaving, waxing, and plucking – though a consultation is needed to confirm you’re a good candidate.
Cynthia Salter-Lewis MD: LHR Has Never Been So Inclusive
Are you tired of having to wax, pluck, or shave every few days to maintain a hair-free body? Have you been told that you’re not a good candidate for laser hair removal because of your melanin-rich skin?
If you answered ‘yes’ to either of those two questions, then don’t worry – we have a solution for you!
Welcome to Cynthia Salter-Lewis MD – the Marlboro, NJ community’s No. 1 laser hair removal clinic.
We understand how much time, energy, and effort people spend on their day-to-day skincare and hair routine. That’s why we’re excited to ease some of that weight (or, in this case, hair) off your shoulders.
Contact us today at (732) 724-1294 or schedule an appointment online to see if you’re a good fit for LHR!
