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Best Laser System for Dense, Dark Back Hair with Light Skin?

asked 1 year ago by C2B2 in Oakville, ON
Latest answer by Michael Law, MD
Question viewed 907 times
Tags: age 18-24, back, male, best, dark, light, options, shave, thickness

My 18 year old son is in desperate need of laser hair removal on his back. It is very dense and dark. His skin is light. What is the best laser system to use for his problem? Also should he shave it or leave it the way it is for treatment. I don't want to commit to spending a large amount of money on a system that won't work. I live in Oakville, Ontario, Canada.

8 answers to Best Laser System for Dense, Dark Back Hair with Light Skin?

+1

Best Laser for Dense Dark Hair

The best laser is dependent of the color of the skin. Dense dark hair should be easily treated whether an individual has light skin or dark skin. The best laser for light skin is the alexandrite laser Laser hair removal has come a long way since the first laser for hair removal received FDA clearance in the mid 1990’s. Older generation lasers were slow, very painful and worked only on individuals with very dark hair and very light skin. Today, lasers can work on all skin colors and... more
Michael Law, MD

Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon

michaellawmd.com

+1

Laser hair removal of the back

You describe dark, dense hair on light skin. This is the ideal candidate for laser hair removal, as the dark coarse hairs will absorb the most energy and the light skin will not be an obstacle for energy absorption. The long pulsed Alexandrite and the Light Sheer Diode work very well. The new Light Sheer Duet is known to be less painful and takes much less time per treatment than the older technology, but all devices require multiple treatments to reduce hair growth. Shaving the hair... more
Ronald Shelton, MD

Manhattan Dermatologist
+1

Dark Hair, Light Skin Is Ideal Skin Type for All Laser Systems

Since melanin (pigment) is the target for all laser hair removal systems, the dark hair/ light skin combination is ideal skin type for all laser hair removal systems. Given that, the Long-Pulsed Alexandrite, because of its superior melanin absorption vs other laser systems, is the "gold standard" therapy for laser hair removal. I personally prefer the Candela GentleLase system, as the Dynamic Cooling Device provides the most effective cooling system on the market... more
Jeffrey C. Poole, MD

Metairie Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Dark hair and light skin is a perfect combination for laser hair removal

This combination allows lasers that focus specifically on the dark color to be used. The advantage is the laser energy can go where it is needed - the hair- and not on the skin itself. It is best to shave the hair prior to the laser treatment, so the energy can penetrate deeply and not be wasted on the surface. The alexandrite laser is one of several that would have a good wavelength for this skin combination. Several treatments will be required, as... more
Christopher J. Peers, MD

South Bend Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Laser for Dark Back Hair With Light Skin

I recommend treatment with a long pulsed alexandrite laser -- this laser goes by several tradenames, one of which is the Elite.
Deborah Sarnoff, MD

New York Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Most laser hair removal systems should do well with light skin and thick dark hair

The laser and light based hair removal devices work by targeting pigment of the hair that is darker than the pigment of the skin. As far as shaving is concerned, yes 2-3 days before the laser procedure, shave the area to be treated.  If all the hair is left as is, much of the laser energy would be used on the outside portion of the hair shaft and we want to treat the inside portion.
Emily Altman, MD

Short Hills Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Best Laser System for Dense, Dark Back Hair with Light Skin

I recommend the High- Speed LightSheer Duet for fast, comfortable and effective laser hair reduction, particularly for treatment of large areas such as the back, chest and legs.  
Anifat Balogun, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Hair removal for black hair on the back

Laaser hair removal is a very safe and effective procedure. There are nbow many different lasers that can work, some better than others. The newest laser is the Lightshear Duet. This laser can remove all the back hair in a 15-20 minute procedure with little pain. Over the past 15 years my back has been treated with the IPL, a variety of Nd:YAG lasers, the regular lightshear and a variety of alexandrite lasers. My treatment with the Lightshear Duet was by far the quickest and easiest and... more
Mitchel Goldman, MD

San Diego Dermatologic Surgeon

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