Who is a poor candidate for laser hair removal

Whether laser hair removal fits you depends on what is true of your hair and skin today. If it does not fit, www.aad.org sets out the alternatives in 6 ways to remove unwanted hair.

Hair color is the first filter

www.plasticsurgery.org says that patients with blonde or white hair, unfortunately, are not good candidates because they lack the pigment necessary for treatment.

That filter has nothing to do with skill, device or budget. It is a property of the hair.

Skin condition is the second filter

www.plasticsurgery.org also says it is vital to not have any skin rashes, infections, open wounds or tans, depending on the specific technology that is being used.

Note the qualifier at the end. The disqualifier list is not identical for every device, so the ASPS overview of laser hair removal is a better guide than a generic checklist.

The order the constraints bite

Hair color rules you in or out before anything else is discussed. The state of your skin on the day comes next. Which technology your provider uses comes last, and it changes how the second filter applies.

A reader in Ypsilanti who passes the first test can still fail the second on a given week, and that is a scheduling problem, not a verdict on the whole treatment.

The compromise

If you are ruled out, look at other methods rather than forcing the fit. If you are ruled in on hair color but not on skin, ask the provider which technology they use and what their own exclusions are.

The caveat that stays attached

The laser hair removal FAQs are worth reading for the questions a candidate should be asking.

Candidacy is decided by someone who can look at your hair and skin.