Dealing with severe dark spots on my face due to facial hair growth has been challenging. After trying various methods, laser treatment proved to be the most effective solution. Unless you want to grow a beard. Here, I share my experiences with two different lasers: Candela Ndyag and Alma Soprano ICE Platinum, both suitable for dark skin.
Understanding Laser Treatments for Dark Skin
Many people with dark skin have faced horror stories of false advertising and damaged skin from inappropriate laser machines or at-home IPL hair removers. Currently, no IPL hair remover works effectively on dark skin, and attempting to use one can cause irreversible damage. So don’t try it!
Choosing the Right Technician
The first crucial step is ensuring your technician is qualified. Always ask to see their certificate to confirm they are trained to use the laser machine properly. I have had positive experiences with clinics in Copenhagen and London. Honesty and communication with your technician are key, but based on my experience, not all advice applies universally.
Treatment Frequency
Initially, I was advised to get treatments every four weeks. While this worked for the first three sessions, life’s demands sometimes caused longer gaps between treatments. Surprisingly, these longer intervals often resulted in better outcomes. It is essential to wait until your hair starts growing back after a treatment, as this is when the laser is most effective. I learned this valuable lesson during my first eight-month round of treatments.
Experiences with Alma Soprano ICE Platinum Laser
My first laser experience was with the Alma Soprano ICE Platinum laser. Despite having severe dark spots, this machine gradually helped clear my skin, though it required several sessions. The device touches the skin and is slightly more painful than other lasers. My first round included seven treatments, which eventually cleared my skin. However, due to a two-year break during COVID-19, all my hair regrew except on my upper lip, which remains hair-free. Results vary depending on the treatment area and hair thickness. During my second round, I took longer breaks between treatments, achieving faster results, though my skin did not clear completely after four sessions.
Experiences with Candela Ndyag Laser
After a three-month break, I found a clinic in London with the Candela Ndyag laser. Even after just one treatment, I noticed significantly better results compared to the Alma Soprano ICE Platinum laser. This machine is less painful, and the results are immediate and long-lasting. My skin cleared up much better, and six months later, the previously affected areas remained clear with fewer dark spots. Despite the long break, hair regrowth was slower with this machine.
I hope my experience helps you choose the right laser treatment. Both machines mentioned are suitable for dark skin and other skin tones. I wrote this post to highlight the difficulty in finding effective treatments for darker skin. Professional laser treatments are often necessary due to the advanced technology required to differentiate between dark skin and dark hair, which is why no IPL device is suitable for dark skin.