Indians are the most diverse ethnicity in the world, with a wide range of skin tones and types. As such, it can be difficult to find a hair removal product that will work for all Indians. However, there are some things you can do to ensure that you get the best results possible. The best hair removal products for Indians with thin skin will differ from those used by people with thick skin.
The first thing to consider is what type of laser your device uses: IPL or Diode? IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light, while Diode stands for Light Emitting Diode. Both types of lasers are effective at removing hair, but each one has its own set of strengths and weaknesses depending on your skin type and the color of your hair. IPL lasers tend to be better at removing dark or black hairs than Diode lasers because they target melanin (the pigment responsible for your skin’s color), which is present in both dark and light hair follicles. On the other hand, Diode lasers are better at targeting light-colored hairs because they target melanin as well as hemoglobin (which gives blood its red color).
Read on to learn more about Best Home Laser Hair Removal For Indian Skin Versus Thin Skin
Best Home Laser Hair Removal For Indian Skin Versus Thin Skin
If you’re considering zapping off your body hair, you’re probably wondering about laser hair removal pros and cons. Actually, let’s back up first—if bod-hair removal is your thing (it’s totally okay to grow it out, by the way), there are plenty of temporary options at your disposal. You’ve got the classic, quick (and short-lived) shave, depilatory creams (that typically smell like wet dog mixed with gasoline, if we’re being honest), and slightly more long-term hair removal methods like waxing (no pain-free picnic) and its less ouch-inducing sister sugaring, both of which leave you with smooth skin for a number of weeks.
On the flip side, there’s electrolysis, which produces even longer-lasting results than laser treatments. Electrolysis uses a super-fine needle to kill each individual hair follicle via an electric current. If you’re thinking that sounds painful and time-consuming, you’d be right.
And that brings us to laser hair removal, a popular semi-permanent option that damages hair follicles to minimize hair growth. While its zaps (often described as feeling similar to a rubber band snapping against your skin) aren’t exactly comfortable, the treatment is effective for many people. Here’s how it works: The laser focuses on the melanin (pigment) in hair follicles, burning the hair all the way down to the root, causing damage that discourages future hair growth. Keep in mind that because laser hair removal targets melanin, certain types of lasers may not be compatible with certain skin tones and hair colors (more on that soon).
Not sure if the procedure is right for you? We’re here to answer all of your, um, burning questions about laser hair removal pros and cons—from concerns about your skin tone or the safety of bikini laser hair removal, to how to use at-home laser hair removal devices (which are definitely having a moment right now). Before you sign up for your first session (which will be one of many) or add a DIY device to your cart, let’s break down the pros and cons of laser hair removal treatment.
First of all, is laser hair removal safe for all skin tones?
It can be, but no matter your skin tone, it’s crucial to vet your laser hair removal provider (see some specifics on which boxes to tick below) to avoid unwanted side effects, Geeta Yadav, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist based in Toronto, Canada, tells SELF. If you have melanin-rich skin, you’ll have to ask more questions about the type of laser that’s being used during the treatment. (Laser hair removal typically caters to people with dark hair and fair skin, as the stark contrast between the skin pigment and hair is what the laser can more easily recognize and target.) “For example, some providers use IPL (intense pulsed light) technology for hair removal, which targets melanin to destroy the hair follicle after repeated treatments; these devices can cause hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation in deep skin tones,” Dr. Yadav explains. (Hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation are darker spots and lighter spots on the skin, respectively.)
If you have a darker complexion and want to ensure your treatment will be safe and effective, Dr. Yadav recommends asking your dermatologist about the possibility of using diode, alexandrite, or Nd:YAG lasers (a 2011 study on 150 people published in the journal Lasers in Medical Science found that 86% of participants—whose skin color ranged from light brown to deep brown—had no complications as a result of treatment with Nd:YAG lasers, and the small percentage of people who did have complications mostly experienced some hyperpigmentation that eventually went away).1 Alexandrite lasers might be best for someone with olive-toned skin and dark hair, Rachel Maiman, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical in New York City, tells SELF. “That laser still relies on the presence of melanin pigment to destroy the hair follicle, which can result in pigmentary irregularities in patients of darker skin tones,” Dr. Maiman says. The diode and Nd:YAG lasers, however, have longer wavelengths and generally bypass pigment in the skin. For the darkest skin tones, Nd:YAG is considered the best option because it doesn’t target melanin in the skin at all, Dr. Maiman explains.
When it comes to laser-induced skin discoloration, there are risk factors beyond having a naturally deep skin tone. Having sun-kissed skin from a recent vacation or summer of poolside lounging can create a higher risk of skin discoloration since there’s a temporary increase of melanin, Dr. Maiman says. “For lasers that rely on melanin as a recognized target, there’s an increased risk that the laser will detect that pigment, resulting in heat energy delivered to skin instead of the hair,” she explains. In other words, it might be best to schedule your laser treatment before your big trip, and stay out of the direct sun (and wear sunscreen outdoors—but that’s an always rule) as much as possible right before your appointment. If you happen to get a tan, let it completely fade before any laser hair removal, Dr. Maiman advises.
At Home Laser Hair Removal Before And After
Confession: I’ll cut any corner to avoid shaving my legs during the winter. I hate it! That’s why I was so excited to get my hands on the Tria Hair Removal Laser 4X (Buy It, $449, triabeauty.com) — a handheld device that promises to zap away your hair for good, and do it just as well as an in-office treatment. (FTR, what you do with your body hair, armpit hair, and pubic hair are your choice, and there’s nothing saying you must get rid of it.)
If you’re not even sure how laser hair removal works exactly, here’s the gist: Lasers use pulsed light to target hair, which then converts to heat and breaks down the dark pigment in the hair follicle. Zap the same pigment over and over, and it’ll damage it enough to prevent future growth, which is the name of the game of any kind of at-home laser hair removal treatment or device.
So what can you expect when you DIY? Specifically, does at-home laser hair removal even work?! Well, I can only speak from my experience testing the Tria Hair Removal Laser 4x, but through the process, I learned a handful of things you should know before giving any at-home laser hair removal a try.
Tips for Successful Laser Hair Removal at Home
Be prepared to spend now, but save later.
Most laser hair removal at-home devices will cost you about $400, but the in-office option can clock in at $150 per visit — and most people need between five to eight sessions for complete results. And waxing the recommended once per month can cost up to $500 a year; razors and shaving cream add up to thousands of dollars over time. The tl;dr: You’ll spend more up front with an at-home laser hair removal kit, but less total cash over time.
Know that laser hair removal at home won’t work for everyone.
Important disclaimer: You should only use an at-home laser hair removal device if you have light or medium skin with dark hair. If your complexion is even slightly deeper than medium, the pulsed light won’t be able to distinguish the dark hair from your dark skin, which could lead to discoloration. On the flip side, lasers can’t pinpoint grey or blonde hair either.
You’ll need to have patience.
As mentioned, you’ll need anywhere between five to eight sessions — no matter if that’s at the salon or with an at-home laser hair removal device — to let the hair fall out naturally after each growth cycle. You can treat the area as little as once every two weeks.
It might hurt a little.
Mid-armpit zap, you’ll likely be cursing your parents for your hairy genes, too. It just feels a little like someone with tiny, claw-like nails is pinching you…over and over again. Bony areas (such as your shins or ankles, for example) will hurt a lot more than spots with more cushion to them (such as your calf). That’s because the skin closest to the bone is thinner, but it doesn’t mean that hair is more difficult to treat.
- But here’s the reason to suck it up: higher intensity levels (the Tria at-home laser hair removal device has up to five settings for strength levels) yield much quicker results. So instead of it taking eight sessions to reach hair-free status, you could be done in half that. Plus, your skin adjusts to the sensation, so after a few zaps, you’ll be used to it.