Is laser hair removal safe for brown skin?

When it comes to hair removal, there are endless options - threading, waxing, creams, and of course, laser hair removal. But for those of us with brown skin, laser hasn’t always been smooth sailing.

Why it’s been risky for brown skin

Historically, laser hair removal technology wasn’t designed with melanin-rich skin in mind. This meant a higher risk of:

• Burns (yes, this happened to me in my bikini area!)

• Hyperpigmentation (dark spots)

• Hypopigmentation (light patches)

Older lasers couldn’t always tell the difference between the melanin in your skin and the melanin in the hair follicle…so the skin ended up absorbing too much energy, causing damage.

The good news is that better lasers exist now!

Technology has evolved, and today we have safe, effective options for brown skin. The 3 main types of lasers that work well are:

• Diode

• Lumenis (my personal fav!)

• Nd:YAG

• Your provider will decide which is best for your skin + hair type

Pre-laser checklist

• To make sure your session is safe and effective, remember:

• Do not wax before your appointment (you need the root intact)

• Avoid tanning before treatments (increases risk of burns/pigmentation)

• Shave the area beforehand with a clean razor

• Arrive with clean, dry skin (no lotion, makeup, or deodorant)

What to expect long-term

• Laser hair removal isn’t technically permanent. You’ll likely see:

• Thinner, lighter hair over time

• Drastic reduction (some areas may be completely smooth)

• Results that can fluctuate with hormones

Let’s chat!

Have you ever tried laser hair removal? What was your experience like—amazing results, or not-so-great? Drop your thoughts + questions in the comments below.