Hey, here’s a question from one our Facebook fans that pops up a lot, so wanted to blog about it:

Good morning Cindy, I have a couple of questions… Does laser hair removal work on all skin and hair types? I am an African American female tired of getting ingrown hair and it doesn’t mater what type of hair removal I use. Will this system remove the hair permanently? Also I heard that with darker skin you have to be much more careful. Thanks Dawn.

Hi Dawn, thanks for reaching out. Hair removal works on all skin types, except for when the hair is lighter than the skin tone. If you are African American you need to go to a hair removal specialist for darker skin to ensure that they are using a specific machine and parameters. The specialist should depict darker skin as a 5 or 6 on the Fitzpatrick skin scale. Have them do a test patch to make sure you don’t have any contraindications. Before you do this, make sure you’re not tanned, you don’t have any oil or moisture on your skin and you are not taking any light sensitive medications. Also, just so you know, darker skin will need more treatments than the standard 6 treatments for lighter skin. You would need 10-12 depending on the area. As for the problem with ingrown hair, laser hair removal is the only method that solves this problem.

At cb we have specialists that safely and effectively treat all skin types including skin type 5 and 6.

xo cindy

Happy New Year to everybody! At completely bare, we blog, tweet, write and advise about beauty, but its all about health and happiness. Here’s to the best year in 2010!
xo cindy

Cindy,

I’ve just started reading your blog,  and it feels good knowing that everyone has these hairy situations. I have one hairy situation that hasn’t been brought up yet and I wanted to get your feedback.  I can’t believe that I’m going to be revealing this deep dark secret but here goes…I have hair that has been growing around my nipples. First off, is this common? I’ve been taking tweezers to the hairs individually but they keep growing back.  Second, is there a way to get rid of this forever to end plucking before a date? thanks,  Patiently Plucking

Dear Patiently Plucking,

This is absolutely more common than you would think. This is obviously not something you speak openly about over dinner with your best friend, but I guarantee if you did you would have just one more thing in common. The best way to get rid of this hair is by using simple laser hair removal. But CAUTION: make sure you go to a technician that has a specialized machine which has a small spot size. The areola area must be treated with a more precise and accurate light.  So do your research and choose wisely.

xo Cindy

Hi Cindy,

I wanted to know if your laser removal can treat a dark skinned Indian male with black hair?  I have heard that laser removal is not effective on dark skin people yet. -Ravi

Hi Ravi,

I’m so happy to inform you that you’ve heard wrong!  There are lasers that treat tanned/dark skin.  In fact, completely bare operates a laser that is specially made for darker skin types, as well as for all you sun worshipers out there.  Come in for a complimentary consultation and test patch!

Thanks for writing,

Cindy

I am very interested in getting laser hair removal, but have a few questions. I am looking to do completely bare on the bikini, and possibly the buttocks. I always wax, and I just want to know if I will still be able to wax between sessions or just refrain from waxing right before the session. I wanted to know if that would reduce the effectiveness, because I really don’t want to go back to shaving until the sessions are done. Also, I need prices for both areas, both in package form and single session. Would I be able to schedule an appointment without a consult, or can I have a consult followed by a treatment? I will be coming from out of town, and I want to get treatments started as soon as possible. Thanks- – Elise

Hi Elise,

Great question!  I know how annoying it is to shave, but once you start your laser treatments, it is very important to refrain from waxing or tweezing.  For the most effective permanent hair removal the hair needs to be treated in the active growth stage, which typically happens every 4-6 weeks.  If you wax between treatments, this interrupts the growth cycle, hindering and extending the permanent hair removal process. Keep in mind, as loathsome as shaving is, after a few months you’ll never have worry about hair removal again!  The cost of the completely bare bikini package is $2125 (actually the cost of 5 sessions and we give you the 6th free!).  The single session cost is $425.  For the inner-bum, the package price is $1100 (again, the cost of 5 with the 6th free).  For a single session it’s $220.  Keep in mind, everyone will need a minimum of 6 treatments.   You will also need a consultation, which are complimentary, and you can definitely do your first treatment the same day.