Laser Hair Removal for Dark skin
- By
Laserlicious
- In
Beauty,
- Posted
November 24, 2020

It’s the comments we hear a lot of in our line of work – “I’m dark-skinned and I’m scared of laser” or “I have dark skin and I’ve been burned by laser” and the one we sadly always hear “I’ve done so many treatments with little to no results”
It truly breaks our hearts to hear clients say that they have had bad experiences with Laser Hair Removal or that they are scared of Lasers in general because of their skin type. This shouldn’t be the case. When we say that we can treat all skin types – it’s true.
Before we dive into how effective lasers are for all skin types we need to talk about the different types of lasers; that plays a huge part into the success and comfort of Laser Hair Removal treatments.


It’s the comments we hear a lot of in our line of work – “I’m dark-skinned and I’m scared of laser” or “I have dark skin and I’ve been burned by laser” and the one we sadly always hear “I’ve done so many treatments with little to no results”
It truly breaks our hearts to hear clients say that they have had bad experiences with Laser Hair Removal or that they are scared of Lasers in general because of their skin type. This shouldn’t be the case. When we say that we can treat all skin types – it’s true.
Before we dive into how effective lasers are for all skin types we need to talk about the different types of lasers; that plays a huge part into the success and comfort of Laser Hair Removal treatments.

Did you know that there are three main types of Laser for Hair Removal? It’s a fact!
What is laser you ask?
Laser is a light that targets melanin and the difference between different laser types is the depth of penetration.
All three types of laser’s target the hair bulb and they all can produce permanent results.
It all boils down to where the energy is being focused as it is targeting the pigment.
Let’s talk about each of the different laser types:
Alexandrite Laser
Of the three lasers, the Alexandrite laser is the most superficial laser at 755NM deep; meaning that the laser hits at the superficial layers of the skin. This is ideal for lighter skin types as well as for fine, thin hairs.
The important thing to understand about it is It is highly absorbed in melanin and is therefore not safe for use on darker skin tones.
The reason is that superficial lasers can pick up the pigment in the skin.
The GentleMax Pro System offers dual-wavelength laser allowing us the choice between the two different lasers: Alexandrite and ND: Yag lasers, so we can safely and effectively treat all skin types and most hair types.
Diode Laser
Of the three lasers, the Diode laser is considered the gold standard of lasers. The reason being is that the light penetrates at the depth of the hair bulb at 810NM deep., making it safe to use on most skin types. Though the Diode laser can pick up some of the melanin in the skin, it penetrates deeper than the Alexandrite laser making it safe for olive and tanned skin types. Though the Diode Laser does look for colour, the Soprano Ice Laser System is the best system to use and it is an excellent choice for clients of tanned skin types due to the In-Motion™ SHR mode as it works by gradually heating the dermis to a temperature that effectively damages the hair follicles and prevents re-growth while avoiding injury to the surrounding tissue.
ND: Yag Laser
Of the three lasers, the ND: Yag penetrates the deepest at 1064NM. The wavelength of this laser goes deeper into the skin than a Diode, so it more successfully bypasses the pigmentation present in the skin; it’s the safest option for medium, tanned to dark skin. The Yag Laser is the most effective for maximum results for darker skin types. Though the Yag Laser is best suited for darker skin types, it can also be used for all skin types (similar to the Diode)
What makes our ND: Yag laser comfortable is the DCD cooling, where cryogen is sprayed onto the skin at a fraction of a second before each laser pulse, which provides increased comfort and safety during and after treatment.
Did you notice that IPL wasn’t mentioned?
There is a reason for that. An IPL is not a laser, it’s an acronym for Intense Pulse Light. Though IPL machines have their place in aesthetics, it is not the best option for hair removal. Sadly some clinics will disguise the IPL as a true laser and insist on twenty sessions for maximum results which is a false statement. The spectrum of the IPL is so wide making it unsafe for darker skin tones and tanned skin, plus not a great option for hair removal for any or all skin types.
Now that you know more about all three lasers, you can understand a bit better as to why the lasers are better suited for certain people than others. It’s important to know what machines are being used but also who is operating the machine.
Why The Machine Matters
When dealing with Lasers, the machine does matter. t It is important to know what machine is being used on your skin. For safety and efficacy of treatments, having a Laser System that is Health Canada and FDA approved is so important; especially when dealing with darker skin types.
What Systems We Have
The Award-Winning Soprano ICE Diode Laser Hair Removal system is an all-in-one laser system that can be safely used on any skin type, without the discomfort of more traditional technology. Together with a high repetition rate of short heat pulses that sweep over the hair follicles, combined with the instant cooling application for increased comfort, this system reaches well beyond traditional lasers on the market today. Additionally, this system has revolutionized medical photo epilation, leaving you with more long-lasting, satisfactory results. It also means little to no discomfort for you.
The Award-Winning GentleMaxPro is a dual-wavelength Laser system, an industry leader in laser hair removal, that offers the Alexandrite and ND: Yag technologies for optimal results in Hair Removal as well as a wide range of treatment options. The uniqueness of the GentleMaxPro treatments is that a burst of energy and therapeutic heat is delivered through the layers of the skin to the follicle. In doing this, over a number of treatments, the follicle is destroyed and future hair regrowth is inhibited. To maximize comfort to the client, there is a Dynamic Cooling Device (DCD) which provides cooling cryogen to the treated area. This allows the laser hair removal treatment to be very comfortable.
Why The Technicians Matter
It is important to know who is performing your treatments. As is the case with the equipment, finding a clinic that has experienced, knowledgeable and well-trained medical aestheticians is a must. Again, this will reduce the risk of side effects and should make your treatment more comfortable. Don’t forget that your skin is an organ and just as important as the rest. You wouldn’t trust your heart in the hands of someone who is not up-to-date on the latest developments in skin and laser.
It can be easy to recite a monologue to a client, telling them what they want to hear and seal the deal. You should be able to ask questions and have the technician be able to answer them in complete confidence. That is when you know you are either in the right or wrong place.
Your comfort, safety, and results matter more than anything.
Laserlicious’s Soprano ICE and GentleMaxPro technologies prioritize all three. So if you’re looking for laser hair removal systems that put both the comfort and satisfaction of clients at the forefront, then this is the laser hair removal treatment for you. The revolutionized and cutting edge technologies makes each treatment quicker, virtually pain – free and easy.
It is important to do in-depth research before selecting a laser hair removal clinic and keep in mind, medical grade lasers are safe effective but it’s just as important as the technicians working with the Laser Hair Removal System, knowledge and experience is key.
Laserlicious Medical Spa resides in the heart of the Greater Toronto Area and offers a variety of treatments for our clients, but the one we are most known for and specialize in is Laser Hair Removal; with thousands of happy clients, our qualified team of Medical Aestheticians understand skin types, the importance of timing during and in between treatments and hair growth to provide the best results. We take pride in providing the highest quality and best Laser Hair Removal services in the Greater Toronto Area. We truly believe that being honest and handling our client’s expectations is a significant part of our job.
Our Laser Hair Removal Systems Work On All Skin Types Dark And Light And Most Hair Types Because Of Our Use Of Three Top Medical Grade Technologies: Diode, Alexandrite And ND:Yag.