Laser Hair Removal: Dark Skin Tones
Hi Friends! My beauty regimen before kids typically included a hydrating face mask, followed by a luxurious bath and a trip to the spa. Can you relate? Now, I consider brushing my teeth and flossing lavish! Ironically, after having James the hair on my face, jawline, neck and armpits would cause extremely painful ingrown hair. An ingrown hair, medically referenced to as pseudofolliculitis is a hair that grows back into the skin instead of rising up from it. The condition is most prevalent among people who have coarse or curly hair. I remember having onesies or twozies my mom would pin and tweeze out to alleviate the discomfort.
I went to the dermatologist and he diagnosed me with hirsutism. I have been given this diagnosis previously and am confident in the response from my dermatologist. After discussing my medication use to help him determine the cause of my condition. My doctor ordered blood tests to measure my hormone levels and confirmed I didn’t have diabetes.
Unfortunately my hirsutism genetic and there isn’t much I can do about it without the help of hair removal.
At first I relied on tweezing, threading, waxing, shaving, and using chemical depilatories. These methods are all pretty affordable and take effect immediately, but they require continual treatment, are time consuming and didn’t solve the ingrown hair problem.
Fort Jackson dermatology has a machine that uses concentrated light rays to damage the hair follicles. Damaged follicles can’t produce hair, and the hair that’s present falls out and no more ingrown hair! Due to my skin color (cocoa mocha) and my hair texture I will need about 6 treatments. The treatments are spaced out every 4-6 weeks.
At first I relied on tweezing, threading, waxing, shaving, and using chemical depilatories. These methods are all pretty affordable and take effect immediately….
To prepare for my appointment I shower like normal and wash my face using a gentle cleanser. I will use a electronic razor for my pits and a disposable razor for my face. I was informed to keep the hair as short as possible. This allows the laser to target the hair follicle without burning the exposed hair on my skin. The only removal method recommended is shaving. The treatments are a bit uncomfortable. It feels like a rubber band being snapped across my face. Some areas are slightly painful due to the amount of nerve endings in that area.
After the second treatment I did have some irritation and bumps did appear on my face. They were a tad sore and itchy. Luckily they faded after a couple days. Laser hair removal can provide permanent or near-permanent results. I look forward to living my life without the pain, embarrassment and annoyance of ingrown hairs and all the complications associated with hirsutism.
If you have any questions please reach out. I’d love to help.
