Do you still depend on traditional methods lie waxing or plucking to remove unwanted body hair? Well, that means you still endure a lot of pain, at the cost of not-so-satisfactory results!Laser hair removal in Kelowna offers a better alternative than waxing or plucking to achieve smooth, hair-free skin seamlessly!
However, what you need to know is that the efficacy of laser hair removal depends largely on individual skin types. That’s one of the crucial reasons why you need to determine your skin type before opting for a laser hair removal session.
This article conducts an in-depth discussion on the various skin types so that you can make an informed decision and maximize the efficacy of your laser hair removal session.
A Glimpse on The Fitzpatrick Scale
You might be wondering what the Fitzpatrick scale is, and how is it connected to laser hair treatment, right?
Well, the Fitzpatrick Scale is one of the most invaluable tools that helps dermatologists determine how different skin types react to sun rays and cosmetics! It also portrays the melanin levels of the skin, which shows how variable skin types respond to ultraviolet rays.
According to the scale, six different skin types are represented via Roman numerals (I- VI). Let’s take a look at the different skin types before moving on further ahead-
- Type I
Very fair skin. Burns easily. Doesn’t experience tanning.
- Type II
Fair skin. Burns very easily. Prone to minimal tanning.
- Type III
Medium fair skin. Prone to burning. Experienced gradual tanning.
- Type IV
Light brown skin. Isn’t prone to burning much. Tans easily.
- Type V
Brown skin. Doesn’t burn. Prone to turn dark brown from tanning.
- Type VI
Dark brown to black skin. Doesn’t burn. Experiences tanning.
Individuals possessing lighter skin types (Types I-III) have lower melanin levels. People with these skin types are more prone to sun damage. On the contrary, individuals possessing darker skin types (Types IV-VI) have higher melanin levels and are less prone to sun damage. However, people with darker skin types still require sun protection.
How Does Laser Hair Removal Affect Different Skin Types?
Laser hair removal service makes use of a focused laser light, which damages the hair follicles. This results in a reduced growth of hair, which is far more effective than waxing or plucking!
However, the efficacy and safety of laser hair removal entirely depends on the respective individuals’ skin types. It’s the melanin levels in the skin that affect how the laser ray impacts the skin and the subsequent hair follicles.
Let’s take two instances to understand this concept.
Instance 1: For people having lighter skin types (I-III)
As mentioned earlier in this article, people with lighter skin tones generally have less melanin levels in their skin. This makes them ideal candidates for laser hair removal! Why is that so?
It’s because the contrast between their skin color and hair color makes it easier for the laser to target the hair follicles, without causing any harm to the surrounding skin. But, that doesn’t cut off the risks of burns or pigmentation changes, which is why cosmetic technicians need to be cautious during the process (especially for people having Type I skin).
Instance 2: For people having darker skin types (IV-VI)
People with darker skin tones have higher levels of melanin in their skin. This makes the whole process of laser treatment in Kelowna much more complicated. Why?
It’s because higher melanin levels generally tend to have a darker skin tone. This makes it quite difficult for the laser to separate the hair follicles from the surrounding skin. If not done cautiously, laser treatment can have adverse effects on such skin types and cause skin burns, and even hyperpigmentation.
Advanced Lasers For Different Skin Types
Nowadays, specialized lasers have been developed to conduct effective full-body laser hair removal optimally for various skin types.
For example, Alexandrite laser types are a highly preferred tool, that can safely conduct laser hair removal among fair-skin people with utmost precision, and speed.
On the contrary, for people having brown and dark skin, Nd: YAG laser tools are highly preferable for their longer wavelengths which guarantees a deeper penetration, without targeting the melanin.
Wrapping It Up
Laser hair removal is a revolutionary technology that has made the entire process of achieving silky-smooth skin fast and painless! However, it’s always preferable to determine your skin type before scheduling an appointment at Kelowna walk-in clinics to make the process as effective and safe as possible!
