It used to be that laser hair removal was pretty much limited to people with fair skin and darker hair colours – this is because a concentrated beam of laser energy is aimed at the hair we want to remove and absorbed by the pigment. With some laser systems, the contrast between a pale skin tone and the hair pigment is essential for the treatment to be effective.

The Soprano ICE laser hair removal system we use at Aesthetics Lab is one of a new generation of laser hair removal systems that, as well as being virtually painless, is FDA-approved for use on all skin types on the Fitzpatrick Scale. This means that it is not dependent on the contrast outlined above to remove hairs in the active growth phase.

What is the Fitzpatrick Scale of skin types?

The Fitzpatrick Scale is a system to classify human skin colours within one of six categories. It was developed in 1975 by Thomas B. Fitzpatrick, a dermatologist from Harvard, as a way to estimate the response of different skin types to ultra-violet light.

Skin types are classified as the following based on the answers to a simple questionnaire:

• Type I(scores 0–6) always burns, never tans (pale white; blond or red hair; blue eyes; freckles).
• Type II(scores 7–13) usually burns, tans minimally (white; fair; blond or red hair; blue, green, or hazel eyes)
• Type III(scores 14–20) sometimes mild burn, tans uniformly (cream white; fair with any hair or eye color)
• Type IV(scores 21–27) burns, always tans well (moderate brown)
• Type V(scores 28–34) very rarely burns, tans very easily (dark brown)
• Type VI(scores 35–36) Never burns, never tans (deeply pigmented dark brown to darkest brown)

Soprano ICE, and similar systems, mean that people with deeply pigmented brown skin tones, or who tan easily, can enjoy all the benefits of laser hair removal, including a comfortable treatment and a permanent reduction in hair growth, as well as being set free from the rigmarole of shaving, waxing, epilation and other hair removal techniques.

Does laser hair removal work on all hair colours?

Because all laser hair removals rely on the pigment within your hair to absorb the laser beam energy, laser hair removal is less effective and may not be advised if you have white, grey or very light blonde hair.

The best way to know for sure is to book an initial consultation, so you can receive advice that’s unique to you.

To book a complimentary consultation to find out more about Soprano ICE laser hair removal in St. John’s Wood, simply fill out our contact form or call us at Aesthetics Lab.