Best Laser Hair Removal for Dark Skin
My friend mentioned she got a great Groupon deal for hair removal. I asked her what they were using for their laser. She said “it was an IPL, and holy crap did it hurt. Do they all hurt like that?”
Let me clarify something, my friend is from the Philippines, so her skin is on the darker side. I just about lost my shit. Why is someone using an Intense Pulsed Laser (IPL) on a darker skinned person in the first place? Darker skin is at a sure risk for hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation, or even blistering and scarring from an Intense Pulse Light (IPL). IPL is not the go-to device for hair removal. Not that they don’t have their place; they work very well for pigmentation and vascularity… as long as you are Caucasian. Even light Asians need to be careful using this type of technology. IPL hair removal will just never give you the results you are looking for.
How do I know what to look for in Laser Hair Removal?
Laser Hair Removal, shaving, waxing, Intense Pulsed Laser, and electrolysis are all solutions to rid yourself of unwanted hair, but which offers the best results?
Often clients become confused with regards to the difference between Intense Pulsed Laser (IPL) and laser hair removal, so we are here to ensure all of your questions are answered. At RestoBod Laser Clinics Calgary we believe there is one clear choice for safe, effective hair removal: GentleMax Pro hair removal.
Book a free hair removal consultation today!
Let’s first learn what the properties of a Laser are: Coherent, Collimated and Monochromatic. This means they are in a nice, tight beam of a single colour. IPL or Intense Pulsed Light could be likened to shining a light bulb on someone. You have all the colours found in light (picture the rainbow) then you need to block out the unwanted colours that can cause unwanted effects. While IPL is frequently offered as an effective laser treatment, it is important to understand that with various wavelengths, the light-bulb-like “light” can not be focused into one, concentrated beam. This is one of the definitions of a LASER; a single, collimated beam.
Laser Hair Removal vs. IPL for Dark Skin
Let’s draw a picture. We will use my friend as the example. She is darker skinned, a Skin Type 5 based on the Fitzpatrick scale. So, to safely and effectively perform hair removal on dark skin, you need to use a long wavelength, 1064 nm. to be exact. This will go nice and deep and look beyond the melanin in her skin to target the melanin in her hair follicle. Because an IPL is not a true laser, a single beam, you are having to add filters over the light to block out the unwanted wavelengths, these “light” wavelengths are produced at different depths, only some of which are actually effective for hair reduction.
They can also negatively impact the skin surrounding the hair follicles. Meaning, there is an increased risk of burning the surrounding tissue in darker skin types.
In comparison to laser hair removal, IPL can only penetrate the shallow hair follicles; therefore, darker, deeper hairs remain intact.
Safe & Painless Laser Hair Removal for Dark Skin
At RestoBod Laser Clinics Calgary, we provide the Gold Standard for laser hair removal for all Fitzpatrick skin types – Candela’s GentleMax Pro laser hair removal. The dual wavelength, 755nm and 1064nm, combines the speed and power of the two lasers for increased efficiency, safety and amazing results. The concentrated beam of light is absorbed by the melanin (pigment) within the hair follicles while leaving the surrounding skin intact and unharmed, making it a safer hair removal solution for those with darker skin.
Not only that, but laser hair removal with GentleMax Pro is traditionally more comfortable than IPL. With its patented cooling system, GentleMax Pro treatments offer minimal discomfort and require no downtime.
Although IPL may be cheaper for each individual treatment, in the long run, it will cost you more because of the numerous treatments required to get hair removal. RestoBod Laser Clinics only offers the safest method of hair removal. With permanent hair reduction in as few as six sessions and a cooling system that can be customized to your needs to ensure maximum comfort, booking your laser hair removal appointment with our GentleMax Pro experts, is a no brainer.
More From the RestoBlog
Cheap Laser Hair Removal: Why the Right Technology Matters More Than the Lowest Price
When people compare laser hair removal clinics, price is often the first thing they look at. Nobody wants to overpay. But when it comes to laser treatments, the lowest price does not always mean the lowest overall cost -and it certainly does not guarantee the safest or most effective treatment.
1565nm Laser vs CO₂ Laser: Which One Is Right for Your Skin?
1565nm Laser vs CO₂ Laser: Which One Is Right for Your Skin? Let’s clear something up right away. There is no “best” laser. Only the best laser for you. At RestoBod, we offer both fractionated CO₂ and 1565nm non-ablative laser treatments (and more!) because different skin concerns, lifestyles, and comfort levels call for different approaches. […]
How to Get the Most Out of Your Restobod Membership
How to Get the Most Out of Your Restobod Membership Great skin doesn’t happen by accident. It happens with a plan. The Restobod Membership was designed for people who are serious about results — not one-off treatments, not quick fixes, but real, visible improvement over time. With preferred pricing, monthly treatments, and retail savings, this […]
How Much Is Laser Hair Removal in Calgary? Why There Isn’t a Simple Answer
If you’re considering laser hair removal, it’s natural to ask: “How much does it cost?” At Restobod Laser Clinics in Calgary, we hear this daily—and while we’d love to give a simple dollar figure, the truth is that there is no universal price for laser hair removal. Multiple factors impact cost, number of treatments, and […]
Calgary’s First FoLix™ Hair Restoration Laser – Now at RestoBod Laser Clinics
Calgary’s First FoLix™ Hair Restoration Laser – Now at RestoBod Laser Clinics If you’re noticing more hair in the shower drain, widening part lines, or an overall loss of density, you’re not alone. The good news? There’s a brand-new treatment in Calgary that’s changing the way we restore hair — and you’ll only find it […]
PicoWay vs PicoSure
PicoWay vs PicoSure When considering laser tattoo removal, two leading technologies are the PicoSure and PicoWay lasers. Both utilize picosecond technology—delivering energy in trillionths of a second—to effectively break down tattoo pigments. Here is a quick analogy to describe how important the power of the laser is in tattoo removal. This is the key difference […]
Save up to 25% with a Membership!
Learn more about Restobod MembershipsMore Happy Customers
Nothing makes us happier than a happy customer!
Alexander B.
Friendly welcoming staff, beautiful clean medical space. With tons of great procedures to choose from. Nice product lines for sale. Glad I stopped in and found this Gem!!
Colin H.
Very friendly staff. Made time on the weekend (after hours) to book an apt. for my wife to have her tattoo removed. Started the process. Very clean atmosphere using state of the art technology.
Matt M.
Great clinic , very clean. Awesome results on my tattoo removal! Will be returning for further treatments. Most importantly great staff!
Megan H.
I have been going to RestoBod for a tattoo removal, and the staff has been so amazing! They are friendly and very knowledgeable! The process itself is fast and virtually painless! I have also been using their product for my acne prone skin, and have seen such an improvement!!
Mikaila A.
Beautiful brand and facility, knowledgeable staff, and results that truly will change your life. Thank you RestoBod!
Our Partners
