Laser hair removal for darker skin
For smoother skin for longer, all over, without the irritation that comes with shaving or waxing, book laser hair removal with the UK’s leading laser clinics. Now save up to 60%plus receive a free Enerpeel chemical peel worth up to £190 on our most popular packages.
Laser hair removal at sk:n is safe for darker skin tones
A few years ago, laser hair removal was not recommended for people with darker skin tones, in particular those with black or Asian skin, as lasers were not made for these skin tones. As laser energy targets pigment in the hair, and with the pigment being more shallow in the skin, this could lead to the laser being attracted to the skin rather than the pigment in the hair, meaning darker skin could be at risk of burning.
However, lasers now have the longer 1064mm wavelength for darker skin, which can differentiate between skin and hair pigment. This wavelength is known as Nd:YAG, which is what we use at sk:n.
How does laser hair removal for dark skin work?
Laser hair removal for darker skin tones works in the same way as it does for lighter skin tones, but these days lasers are more sophisticated as the longer wavelengths can differentiate between skin and hair pigment. Laser hair removal works by the lasers releasing a wavelength of light into the hair follicle, which converts to heat, damaging the hair follicles at the root, destroying or damaging it, thereby slowing or stopping down the regrowth of hair.
Why choose sk:n for laser hair removal if you have dark skin?
Since darker skin tones tend to be more sensitive and prone to side effects such as discolouration than light skin, you need to make sure you choose a reputable clinic with correct and thorough training on the right lasers. During your in-depth consultation at sk:n, one of our clinically trained practitioners will assess your skin type using the Fitzpatrick scale which will determine the wavelength we use. We’ll then test patch an inconspicuous area 48 hours prior to treatment to ensure your skin is suitable and you are safe to proceed to treatment.
The benefits of laser hair removal
- Reduces hair growth, permanently – We recommend a minimum of 8 sessions. If you have the recommended number of treatments for your hair and skin type, you’ll see up to 90% hair reduction. Any hair that does grow back will be much finer and will grow back less frequently, which means smoother skin for longer.
- No more ingrown hairs – You won’t need to shave as frequently, minimising rashes or brittle stubble, and less waxing will also result in fewer ingrown hairs too.
- Money and time saving – The average female spends £6500 on razors and 8 weeks of her life shaving, so laser hair removal is a worthwhile long-term investment.
- Improved skin tone and texture – Repeatedly shaving or waxing an area can cause skin pigmentation and uneven skin tone. Laser hair removal reduces the risk of this happening.
- A positive impact on the planet – The average woman in her lifetime throws away 2400 razors, and every year, approximately 2 billion razors end up in landfill as they cannot be recycled. Switching to laser hair removal will dramatically reduce that negative impact on our planet.
What are the risks and side effects for dark skin?
Using the wrong type of laser or laser wavelength on darker skin could result in burning, discolouration or scarring. This is why it is so important to use a regulated provider and fully trained practitioners to carry out your treatment. At sk:n, we are monitored and audited by the Care Quality Commission in England, Healthcare Improvement Scotland, and Health Inspectorate Wales, and all of our practitioners are medically trained. For more information about what to look out for when purchasing laser hair removal, see our The Ultimate Guide to Laser Hair Removal.
Why do I need a course of treatments?
The hair must be targeted at a specific time during the growth cycle (the anagen phase) when the hair is still attached to the follicle so the root can be damaged or destroyed. Each hair will be in different phases of the 4-stage hair growth cycle at the beginning of your treatment, so you will need to have several sessions to target the hairs in the correct phase of growth.
We usually recommend around 8 hair removal treatments spaced 4 or 6 weeks apart, depending on the area of treatment, to see long-term results. In some cases, you may need a few less or few more treatments. During your free consultation with one of our highly trained practitioners, you’ll discuss a personalised treatment plan, including which laser is suitable, how many treatments you’ll need, what it will cost and the results you can expect.
Three simple steps to laser hair removal at sk:n
Step 1
Book your free* no-obligation consultation. You can book online, call us directly or request a consultation. To secure your laser hair removal booking, we require a fully refundable £25 deposit.
Step 2
Visit your local sk:n clinic for a consultation with one of our medical laser hair removal practitioners. During this consultation the practitioner will:
- Assess the area you would like to be treated and discuss the results you’re likely to see.
- Explain the procedure for laser hair removal, the cost and your recommended aftercare.
- Give you a quick patch test to assess suitability for treatment.
- Answer any questions you have regarding laser hair removal.
Step 3
Start treatment with the UK’s leading laser hair removal specialists.
Laser hair removal pricing
Consultations free*
sk:n is the UK’s leading laser, dermatology and aesthetic group, and pride ourselves on excellence. We have industry-leading training, safety and care protocols, and we’re regulated by the Care Quality Commission and General Medical Councils, so you can trust you’re in the best and safest hands.
For the best results, we recommend a course of 8 treatments, but this can vary slightly depending on the client. To help you soothe your skin after treatment and protect it from sun exposure, we offer free post-treatment products worth £45: Avène Thermal Water Spray 150ml, sk:n Aloe Vera Gel 100ml, sk:n Sunscreen SPF30 100ml.
You can buy online, or you can book laser hair removal at every sk:n clinic, including:
London, Aberdeen, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Cheltenham, Chester, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leamington Spa, Leeds, Liverpool, Maidenhead, Newcastle, Nottingham, Reading, Sevenoaks, Sheffield, Portsmouth.
Find your nearest clinic here.
To secure an appointment, your credit or debit card details will be secured against your booking. For free consultations, this is £25 with a practitioner or £50 for acne or injectables consultations. For all other chargeable consultations, appointments, test patches and reviews, please refer to our payment protection and cancellation policies for more information.
| Treatment | Single Treatment From | Course of 8 Price per Treatment From |
| Under arms | £55.00 |
£25.00
|
| Bikini | £83.00 |
£37.50
|
| Chest | £110.00 |
£50.00
|
| Half face | £110.00 |
£50.00
|
| Back | £138.00 |
£61.88
|
| Full face | £138.00 |
£61.88
|
| Arms | £110.00 |
£50.00
|
| Legs | £248.00 |
£111.88
|
| Women's full body | £500.00 |
£225.00
|
| Men's full body | £500.00 |
£225.00
|
The sk:n promise
Our mission to deliver confidence through better skin is at the heart of everything we do. Our promise to you:
- Award-winning, unrivalled medical expertise. No one has more consultants, doctors and clinical expertise than sk:n, so no other dermatology provider comes close.
- Outstanding approach to client care for over 30 years. We’ve consistently delivered unrivalled, personalised client care, that’s always right for our clients. If you have a concern, you can trust us to solve it.
- Standards you can trust. Our market-leading medical, safety and training protocols and strict industry regulation means you can trust that your safety and care is our priority.
- We are the UK’s leading skin clinics. We’ve treated millions of clients, improving their self-confidence for the better – with some life-changing results.
Request a callback
One of our friendly sk:n advisors will call you to book your consultation.
- More than 450 consultants, doctors, nurses and medical practitioners
- Regulated by the Care Quality Commission, Health Inspectorate Wales and Health Improvement Scotland
- Partner of the NHS
- Rated excellent by our clients on Trustpilot
- Strict safety and care protocols
Is laser hair removal right for me?
If you’re looking to remove hair from all over or certain areas of your body and your hair is dark enough, yes. Laser hair removal is safe for all skin types and colours, so it’s suitable for most people looking for more permanent, smooth results. As the laser is attracted to the pigment of the hair follicle, the only consideration is whether your unwanted hair has enough pigment to be treated. Most of our clients see permanent hair reduction of up to 90%, but these results are dependent on hair type and colour. Your practitioner will discuss this with you during your free consultation.
What is the best laser for dark skin?
As a rule, Nd:YAG lasers tend to be the best for hair removal treatment in darker skin, which is what we mainly use at sk:n. This is because they have a longer wavelength than some other types of laser, so can be adjusted to accommodate different skin tones, and were developed specifically for this purpose. Diodes can also be suitable for darker skin tones as they leave the skin with more time to cool, but they will not always be suitable for everyone. Our laser experts will be able to select the best laser for your skin type during your free consultation.
Is it better to wax or have laser hair removal on your full body?
Waxing regularly and over long periods of time can be temporarily effective, but can cause damage such as darkening and lightening of the skin (hyper and hypo pigmentation) and ingrown hairs which can lead to scarring. As full body laser hair removal permanently reduces the thickness and growth of the hairs and isn’t abrasive to the skin, it doesn’t have any detrimental effects to the skin’s tone and texture. Plus, after a course of treatment, the hair is reduced in thickness, darkness and amount, and therefore the need to regularly remove the hair is massively reduced.
What is the Fitzpatrick scale?
The Fitzpatrick scale is a tool our practitioners use to identify your skin type in relation to the skin tone and how easily it burns or tans during sun exposure. We will select the correct type of laser for your skin by using this scale:
- Type 1: Always burns, never tans (pale, freckles).
- Type 2: Usually burns, minimal tanning.
- Type 3: Sometimes burns mildly, tans uniformly.
- Type 4: Burns minimally, always tans well (moderate brown).
- Type 5: Very rarely burns, tans very easily (dark brown).
- Type 6: Never burns (deeply pigmented dark brown to darkest brown).
