TEL: (+62) 21 5890 1590
Venus Concept is a leader in the global medical and aesthetic device market, pairing best-in-class technology with the first and only true subscription model in the industry.
Medical aesthetic practitioners have witnessed explosive demand for hair removal in 2016 with more than a million non-surgical hair removal procedures performed in the United States alone, and this growth isn’t expected to be a phase. Compound annual growth in the global hair removal market is forecast to average 9% through 2022, reaching $1.35 billion. But there’s one segment of this market that has long been overlooked and is especially poised to grow in the coming years—laser hair removal for patients with darker skin tones.
Here, discover the latest information on hair removal for patients with pigmented skin and how offering hair removal for a wider range of skin types could be a key tactic in growing your aesthetic practice’s patient base.
Historically, laser hair removal entailed more risk for people of color or those with tanned skin due to the potential for skin damage. Melanin plays a key role in laser hair removal as the primary target of the laser light; when the melanin surrounding the hair follicle selectively absorbs the energy, this is what disables hair growth. Melanin is the most important component of pigmentation, and its levels determine skin tone. Tanning and lifetime sun exposure can also affect melanin. In fact, any baby, regardless of genetics, is usually much lighter than their parents. Only when they are exposed to the sunlight do they develop a darker skin tone, with melanin production peaking only after the child has reached puberty. Regardless, it’s the presence of melanin in dark skin that increased the potential for some prospective patients to experience burns and hyperpigmentation.
While advances in hair removal device technology now make it possible to safely and effectively perform hair removal treatments on individuals with darker skin tones, there is a gap in information reaching prospective patients. Many are deterred from seeking even a consultation due to outdated information and myths that suggest it’s impossible to safely and effectively treat patients with darker skin tones, but there are ways to counteract this trend.
Lasers have been in use in medicine for decades, but their application for hair removal only took hold in the 1990s. Early lasers were typically very slow and painful, and they only worked on people with dark hair and fair skin. Today, four types of laser are generally used for hair removal, each employing a different medium to amplify optical power:
For patients with darker hair and darker skin, studies suggest diode laser hair removal treatments are ideal. For example, a 2015 comparative study of lasers for removing dark hair from Indian skin concluded that diode laser technology offered the best results with 92% hair reduction after eight sessions, compared to 90% for Nd:YAG. The study concluded that diode lasers are most effective for mature, dark hair, though the results were less reliable when treating lighter, finer hair. Diode lasers also offer a faster repetition rate, allowing for quicker treatment of larger areas.
Pulse duration is also an important consideration for laser hair removal on darker skin tones. A longer pulse duration, or pulse width, improves safety because the energy is delivered over a relatively longer period of time than shorter pulse durations. Shorter wavelengths and pulse durations can damage the epidermal layer and result in post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin) or even hypopigmentation (lightening of the skin).
As well, it’s essential that treatment providers do a test spot on patients before performing a full treatment. Providers can use different levels of intensity to evaluate, but should always ensure that they remain within the parameters recommended by device manufacturers. Take care to observe the skin reaction after 48 to 72 hours, as pigmented skin is often delayed in showing response.
The advent of longer wavelength lasers is helping more patients obtain safe and effective hair removal. Many prospective patients with darker skin tones may not be aware that, with the right laser and under the care of a knowledgeable practitioner, previous contraindications no longer need to be an obstacle to their treatment. Thus, effective marketing strategies, continued education, and awareness of available treatment technologies is imperative to accessing and effectively serving this market segment.
To discover more tips on how to treat patients with a wider range of Fitzpatrick skin types and broaden your patient base with the latest in laser hair removal technologies, download our invaluable report, “The Truth About Laser Hair Removal and Darker Skin Tones.”
For more information call: (+62 21) 5890 1590 // info.id@venusconcept.com // Ruko Business Park Kebon Jeruk Blok B11 Jl. Meruya Ilir Raya No. 88 Kel. Meruya Utara, Kec. Kembangan West Jakarta 11620
REGULATORY CLEARANCES [ More ]
All devices have received Indonesian Health Ministry Approval for sale and use in Indonesia. (Izin Edar Alat Kesehatan)
Venus Versa™ is cleared by the FDA, licensed by Health Canada, and has CE Mark as a multi-application device intended to be used in aesthetic and cosmetic procedures. The SR515 and SR580 applicators are cleared by the FDA, licensed by Health Canada, and have CE Mark for the treatment of benign pigmented epidermal and cutaneous lesions and treatment of benign cutaneous vascular lesions. The HR650/HR650XL and HR690/HR690XL applicators are cleared by the FDA, licensed by Health Canada, and have CE Mark for the removal of unwanted hair and to effect stable long-term or permanent hair reduction for Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV. The AC Dual applicator is cleared by the FDA, licensed by Health Canada, and has CE Mark for the treatment of acne vulgaris. The DiamondPolar™ and OctiPolar™ applicators on the Venus Versa™ system are cleared by the FDA for non-invasive treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and rhytides on females with Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV. The DiamondPolar™ applicator is licensed by Health Canada and has CE Mark for non-invasive treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and rhytides on females with Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV. The OctiPolar™ applicator on the Venus Versa™ system is licensed by Health Canada and has CE Mark for temporary body contouring via skin tightening, circumferential reduction, and cellulite reduction. The NanoFractional RF™ (Viva) applicator is cleared by the FDA, licensed by Health Canada, and has CE Mark for dermatological procedures requiring ablation and resurfacing of the skin.
Venus Legacy™ is cleared by the FDA for the non-invasive treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and rhytides in females with Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV with the OctiPolar™ and DiamondPolar™ applicators, and temporary reduction in the appearance of cellulite with the 4D Body (LB2) and 4D Face (LF2) applicators. It is licensed by Health Canada and has CE Mark for the temporary increase of skin tightening, temporary circumferential reduction, temporary cellulite reduction, and temporary wrinkle reduction.
Venus Viva™ is cleared by the FDA, licensed by Health Canada, and has CE Mark for dermatological procedures requiring ablation and resurfacing of the skin. The DiamondPolar™ applicator is licensed by Health Canada and has CE Mark for the treatment of moderate to severe wrinkles and rhytides in Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV.
Venus Freeze Plus™ is cleared by the FDA for the non-invasive treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and rhytides in females with Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV. It is licensed by Health Canada for temporary skin tightening, and temporary reduction in the appearance of stretch marks at the abdomen and flanks, using the DiamondPolar™ and OctiPolar™ applicators. The DiamondPolar™ applicator on Venus Freeze Plus™ has CE Mark for the non-invasive treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and rhytides, and the increase of skin tightening, temporary circumferential reduction, and cellulite reduction with the OctiPolar™ applicator.
Venus Glow™ is cleared by the FDA as a Class I motorized dermabrasion device. It provides a dermal rejuvenation treatment that works to open up and deep-clean pores. Venus Concept is the exclusive distributor for Venus Glow™.
Copyright © 2018 Venus Concept. All rights reserved.
You are entering our website. For other countries/regions and language options, please click the SELECT A DIFFERENT REGION button below.
SELECT A DIFFERENT REGIONAre you looking to get a treatment? Please visit our patient website to learn more.
Click Here