Laser Hair Removal for Dark & Different Skin Types

DARK SKIN TONES

The face of Britain is changing as Britain’s ethnic population increases – people of colour now represent 40% of London’s population. UK dermatologists and cosmetic treatment providers are beginning to recognise this and establish a new field of ‘Ethnic Dermatology’.

Skin and hair problems in different races may present differently and need specialised medical and cosmetic treatment options. There is no, ‘one size fits all’; darker skin may be mistaken for being more resilient but it can be more sensitive and easily damaged than lighter skins. For example, it may age better with fewer lines and wrinkles but it’s more prone to pigmentation problems and scarring.

Dermatologists in the USA are leading the field in Ethnic Dermatology, although through their proactive knowledge sharing we are able to offer the same range of high-quality treatments for black skin here at Unwantedtattoos, as the best available in the US.

Laser Hair Removal

A few years ago Laser Hair Removal was not a safe option for darker skin. However, the introduction of the Nd Yag laser has reversed this situation. By by-passing the surface of the skin, it targets the melanin in the root hair and damages the root itself by heating up its blood supply. This results in finer, softer, and lower quantities of hair.

Due to its efficient skin cooling system, laser tends to be more comfortable and gentler on the skin than waxing or threading.

• Laser has permanent effects; only 8- 12 treatments are required for a permanent hair reduction of up to 90%.

The Nd Yag also straightens the hair which is perfect for those people who suffer from ingrowing hairs and is becoming more popular with men who have this problem around the beard area.

Intense Pulse Light (IPL) hair removal should never be classed as laser hair removal as it uses a completely different mechanism, beaming white light over a general area, rather than targeting a monochromatic (single colour) beam uniquely down the hair shaft. Since IPL targets melanin on the surface of the skin as well as down the hair shaft, it is not safe for darker skin and will lead to damage and skin pigmentation.

LASER HAIR REMOVAL FOR ASIAN SKIN

Since we know that black skin can be more sensitive and reactive, it is vital that any dermatology treatment or consultant be thoroughly researched for expertise and experience in treating ethnic skin. Treatments for darker skin tend to need to be specialised and often a gentler approach is needed in order to protect the skin’s pigment while giving maximum results.

At skin, we employ an entirely diverse workforce of nurses, practitioners and doctors. All are trained to understand the difference between all skin tones and to calibrate our highly advanced lasers to the appropriate setting for even small differences in skin shade.

With a growing network of 35 clinics, and nine in and around London, open seven days a week til late, we hope we can make your experience safe and convenient, whilst giving you the best results.

skin is the nation’s multi-award-winning, responsible and trusted skin care expert that has held a partnership with the NHS in a dermatology capacity for more than 25 years. With the largest network of clinics in the industry (35 nationwide), sk:n brings the reputation and prestige of ‘Harley Street to your local street’; only the most highly trained medical practitioners and some of the nation’s most respected consultant dermatologists, plastic surgeons and GPs with Special Interests are employed at every single UK clinic to ensure a reliably sound, professional approach and the highest consistency when administering high-grade, expert laser treatments. A medical director has responsibility for each clinic to guarantee strict regulatory compliance, which exceeds all mandatory and voluntary requirements. Offering over 250 treatments and using the most advanced lasers on the market, skin continually aims to raise the industry bar to discover better skin.

Source: https://www.sknclinics.co.uk/blog/laser-hair-removal-for-skin-of-colour-at-skn

Treating a Wax Burn

Waxing can seem like a fantastic way to get rid of unwanted body hair, but as with a lot of beauty treatments, it does have its downsides. One of the drawbacks of waxing is the risk of burn, which can occur if the wax applied to the skin is too hot, causing a great deal of pain and unsightly blemishing. If you’ve experienced a wax burn, follow the steps below for a speedy recovery.

Cool the skin

Submerge the burn in cool water, or allow cool water to run over the affected area. If you’ve suffered a facial burn, soak a flannel in cool water and apply it directly to the burn. You should allow at least five minutes for this process, but closer to twenty minutes will yield better results.

Apply ice

You must never apply ice directly to a burn, but instead, wrap a cloth or flannel around an icepack or ice cubes. The cloth should then be pressed against the burn, reducing swelling and soothing the pain.

Aloe it

Aloe is the magic ingredient when it comes to treating burns, and every home should have some on hand. 100% pure aloe vera gel is the best option for treating burns, and it is important to try and buy a clean, healthy product with no chemical additives. The gel should be gently dabbed on with your fingertips and reapplied several times a day.

Bandage if necessary

To avoid infection, bandaging your burn might be a good idea, especially if it’s in an area that is susceptible to bacteria. If your burn is facial or simply too awkward to dress, make a conscious effort to keep any dirt or unnatural products away from it, and always keep it clean.

Treat the pain

Over-the-counter ibuprofen can not only eliminate pain, but also reduces swelling, and is a very effective tool in the treatment of wax burns.

If you’re looking to get rid of unwanted body hair without suffering the consequences of waxing, laser hair removal is a safe and fast way to achieve smooth, beautiful skin. You don’t have to worry about growing your hair out, nasty burns, or the trouble of the hair returning shortly afterwards.

Source: https://www.sknclinics.co.uk/blog/treating-a-wax-burn

What UV index is best for tanning?

What UV index is best for tanning? 

Getting a sun tan requires exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. But when is the best time to get a tan without burning?

When should I sunbathe? 

Exposure to the sun’s rays can cause damage to the skin and can even lead to skin cancer – even when it’s not particularly hot outside, or it’s cloudy. Sun exposure and tanning can also cause premature ageing due to the effect of UV radiation on the skin’s collagen and melanin levels.

However, some exposure to the sun can be helpful for skin conditions such as acne, and it also provides vitamin D which allows the body to absorb calcium and phosphorus from food.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends at least 10 to 15 minutes of sun exposure (without sunscreen) daily between March and October, from 11 am to 3 pm. Darker skin tones actually need to spend more time in the sun than this to achieve the same benefit.

Why do we tan? 

Exposure to UV radiation increases the pigment melanin in your skin. UVA radiation triggers the release of melanin within the skin itself, while UVB radiation stimulates your body to produce more melanin, resulting in a sun tan. Both of these types of UV radiation are present in the sun’s rays. In order to get a suntan, the UV radiation needs to be high enough to affect the level of melanin in your skin, without burning.

Is there such thing as a healthy tan?

It’s worth noting that even just getting a tan is actually a sign of sun damage, so there is no real ‘best’ UV index for tanning. In its guidelines on sun exposure, the NHS says “the idea that there is such a thing as a healthy tan, is a myth.” But, if you want to avoid burning, don’t sit out for long periods of time without sunscreen between 10 am and 3 pm during the summer months.

When is UV radiation at its highest? 

UV radiation is generally highest between 10 am and 3 pm, during the summer, on a cloudless day. Some countries broadcast a UV index for each day on the weather report. However, this does not mean that a scorching hot sunny day is the best day to get a tan. On these days, depending on your skin, even short exposure can cause sunburn. If you wish to tan on these days, you should use a stronger sunscreen in order to give your skin some level of protection from UV radiation. Even when tanning on a less-bright day, sunscreen is essential.

What areas of skin need the most protection from the sun?

When tanning, make sure you protect sensitive areas such as your eyes, lips and scalp. You might want to consider protective eyeglasses, lip balms that contain sunscreen and hair styling products with SPF protection. Sunscreen in a spray bottle is great for getting coverage on hard-to-reach spots such as your scalp.

Can you reverse sun damage? 

Some of the visible signs of sun damage to the skin can be reversed or at least improved with professional skin treatments. Here are some examples of sun damage, and the treatments designed to address them:

• Pigmentation and dark spots: Pigmentation is caused by excess melanin production, a common side-effect of sun exposure and tanning. Treatments designed to exfoliate and strip away the surface layers of the skin, such as laser resurfacing, microdermabrasion and skin peels, are effective at breaking down this excess melanin and a revealing a fresher, more even complexion.
• Fine lines: Tanning depletes the natural collagen present in your skin, causing it to become crepey, dry and wrinkled. Skin peels help to strip back dry, dull-looking skin, whilst also stimulating new cell turnover and collagen production. Microneedling is another great treatment for stimulating cell renewal and collagen production, as it harnesses your skin’s natural healing process, for plumper, smoother, younger-looking skin.
• Deep-set wrinkles and frown lines: Over time, sun exposure and tanning can lead to deep-set, stubborn wrinkles that won’t seem to go away, no matter how well you look after your skin. Anti-ageing injectables and dermal fillers work to smooth these out, putting much-needed volume and structure back into the skin.
• Thread veins: Thin, sun-damaged skin is more prone to visible capillaries, known as thread veins, or spider veins. The good news is they can be considerably reduced with targeted, professional laser treatments.

Are you ready to looking for tattoo removal with us? · Get a free quote:

How To Remove Your Birthmarks The Natural Way

What are birthmarks? 
As the name suggests, birthmarks are areas of discolouration on the skin which are present from birth and are often permanent. They may appear as red, pink, purple or brown patches and vary in size. Birthmarks can occur on any part of the body.
What causes birthmarks?
Vascular birthmarks, which are usually red, pink or purple in colour, are caused by an abnormality in the skin Types blood vessels. Brown pigmented birthmarks are usually caused by clusters of melanin (pigment) in the skin.
Natural removal methods for birthmarks
Some common natural remedies for birthmarks include applying lemon juice or olive oil to the affected area. Lemon juice has historically been used to fade freckles and lighten the hair. Dab a few drops of lemon juice on the birthmark, leave it for at least 20 minutes, wash it off with warm water and then dry your skin off with a clean towel. Repeat this process at least three times a day until the birthmark has faded.
Olive oil is a natural moisturiser and can be used to soften and condition rough-textured, dry areas of skin. Not only is it a great ingredient for keeping your skin healthy, some suggest it can be used as a natural remedy to help improve the appearance of your birthmark with continual use. Follow the same process as the lemon juice example above.

Types of birthmarks

Port wine stain (capillary malformation birthmarks)
Port wine stain birthmarks appear as wine-coloured patches on the skin. They are caused by abnormal blood vessels and can vary in size. They most commonly occur on the face, back and chest, but can appear anywhere on the body. Most port wine stain birthmarks are permanent and can become more prominent as the years go by.
Salmon patch birthmarks
Salmon patches are the most common type of vascular birthmark. They appear as faint pink or red patches usually on a baby’s face or neck after birth. Salmon patches tend to fade after a few months, but some may take a few years to disappear completely.
Strawberry marks (infantile haemangiomas)
Strawberry marks are raised, mole-like, pink, red or purple birthmarks. They get their name because of their texture and colour. They are relatively common, affecting around 5% of newborn babies. They usually disappear by the time the child reaches the age of seven, but will first become bigger before they shrink and eventually fade away completely. Some strawberry marks may require treatment; speak to a GP if you are concerned.
Cafe-au-lait spots
Café-au-lait spots are pale, flat coffee-coloured patches of skin. Like most birthmarks, they are harmless, but if a child has more than six of these marks before they reach the age of five years old, it might be a symptom of a genetic condition called neurofibromatosis. Speak to your GP if you are concerned.
Mongolian spots
Mongolian spots are a bluish grey in colour, a bit like a bruise. They are most common in babies with darker skin tones and are usually found on the back or buttocks. These birthmarks usually disappear with time, usually before the child turns four.
Congenital moles
Congenital moles also referred to as congenital melanocytic naevi, are large black or brown marks which are present from birth. They are caused by clusters of melanin beneath the surface of the skin and are quite common. They can become raised or hairy with time and may change colour during hormonal changes, such as during puberty. If you are concerned that your congenital moles have changed shape or colour, consult a dermatologist or your GP.

FAQs

Are birthmarks dangerous? 
Most birthmarks are not harmful and do not require treatment for health reasons. However, some people may find they have an impact on their self-esteem, so might choose to have them removed for aesthetic reasons.
In some rare cases, birthmarks might need medical treatment, for example, if they affect the person’s ability to breathe or become ulcerated and painful. Contact your GP for further advice if you are concerned about your birthmark.
Can birthmarks be removed? 
Yes. Most types of birthmarks can be removed with laser treatments. The laser used depends upon the type and colour of the birthmark being removed. In some rare cases, it might be necessary to undergo surgery to remove a birthmark.
Are birthmarks always permanent? 
No, some types of birthmark fade and even completely disappear with age.
Can I have a birthmark removed on the NHS?
Only if it is affecting your health. If you want a birthmark removed for cosmetic reasons, you are unlikely to be able to do this on the NHS and will probably have to pay for it to be removed privately.
Are birthmarks hereditary/caused by genes?
It’s still not clear why birthmarks occur, but they are not usually passed down genetically.

Birthmark removal treatment

Birthmarks can be safely and effectively removed using a special type of laser. The treatment works by targeting the abnormal blood vessels or areas of pigmentation, breaking them up into tiny fragments so they can be disposed of naturally through the body’s immune system.
The laser is targeted, so although it’s powerful, it won’t damage the surrounding skin. You may need several treatment sessions in order to remove the birthmark completely and results can vary from person to person. Your practitioner will be able to assess your birthmark to ensure the correct type of laser and the right number of treatments is used to remove it.
At skin Types, for vascular birthmarks such as port wine stains, we use a Pulse Dye Laser. For pigmented birthmarks, we use an ND Yag Laser.
Source: https://www.sknclinics.co.uk/blog/how-to-remove-your-birthmarks-the-natural-way