Does Laser Hair Removal Help with Hyperpigmentation
Laser hair removal is more popular than ever before, being among the most popular non-surgical procedures in recent years in the United States. For instance, it’s among the estimated 2.9 million skin treatment procedures that were performed in 2022.
The popularity of this procedure, which uses concentrated light to damage and destroy hair follicles, is for good reason. It not only delivers long-lasting results and reduces or eliminates the need for other hair removal methods, but also excels in saving time, offering convenience, and minimizing skin issues like razor burn, ingrown hairs, and irritation. Apart from its primary purpose of hair removal, it also benefits the skin’s texture and tone, reduces breakouts, and ingrown hair in some people.
These additional perks may lead you to ask: Does laser hair removal help with hyperpigmentation? Keep reading to learn what hyperpigmentation is, whether people with this condition can benefit from laser hair removal, and explore alternative treatments and management methods for hyperpigmentation.
What is Hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation is a common and harmless but potentially distressing skin condition caused by excess melanin in the skin. This results in dark skin patches that often resemble spots or freckles and vary in size. Hyperpigmentation can be triggered by sun exposure, hormonal changes, skin injuries, inflammation, and certain medications. Depending on these triggers, hyperpigmentation is often divided into three main types: Hormone-related melasma, sun- or age spots, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Although anyone can develop this skin condition, it’s often more noticeable and long-lasting in people with medium to dark skin types.
Does Laser Hair Removal Help with Hyperpigmentation
Whether laser hair removal helps hyperpigmentation depends on a patient’s skin tone, hair colour and texture, the reason for their hyperpigmentation, and other factors. People with lighter skin in combination with darker hair are usually considered the best candidates for success, while those with darker skin tones often need specialized lasers. Smoother and more even-toned areas of skin over time are frequently reported. This is especially common if the hyperpigmentation was linked to shaving, ingrown hairs, or irritation. Additionally, laser hair removal may improve dark patches caused by post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
However, it’s essential to stress that laser hair removal hasn’t been designed for treating hyperpigmentation and is not a standard therapy for this purpose, making any related improvements a secondary effect. If this procedure is performed incorrectly or on the wrong skin type, instead of improving hyperpigmentation, it can have the opposite effect and either result in darkening (hyperpigmentation) or lightening (hypopigmentation) of the skin. A consultation with your dermatologist or another trained health professional can give you clarity on whether you may be a good candidate for laser hair removal, whether it be for hair reduction or hyperpigmentation.
Other Ways to Treat Hyperpigmentation
If laser hair removal isn’t suitable for you, either due to your skin type, hair colour, level of skin sensitivity, or other factors, alternative treatments are available to help with hyperpigmentation. These include topical creams like Eldoquin Forte and Tri-Luma, chemical peels, and microneedling. These products and treatment methods can help lighten dark spots over time, remove damaged skin layers, or stimulate collagen, resulting in a more even skin tone.
While these are often effective as standalone treatments, they can also be prescribed alongside laser hair removal. For example, they are frequently used before, between, or after laser sessions. Finally, following the advice of a trained professional and consistently using sun protection are crucial to ensure safe treatment and prevent new pigmentation while also protecting progress.
