What Six Months of Laser Hair Removal on Dark Skin Really Looks Like

Before I commit to anything (beauty, relationships, a £30 setting spray), I need a second opinion. So naturally, when deciding whether to take the plunge with a series of laser hair removal appointments, I turned to the most trusted board of advisors: TikTok. After an hour of scrolling, I was fully convinced that laser hair removal was a scam that was coming for my wallet. My feed was flooded with women saying it didn’t work, especially those with dark skin. One of my closest friends, who has a lighter complexion than me, did multiple sessions and still had hair and new areas of hyperpigmentation.

But here’s the thing, I’m a lazy girl at heart. A high-maintenance routine that leads to low-maintenance living? Sign me up. I go to the salon just to get my hair washed. I buy clothes that don’t need ironing. So when it comes to hair removal, the at-home maintenance of which I absolutely despise, I had to find a better way. Shaving? Ingrowns. Waxing? Pain. Creams? They smell like rotten eggs and still miss spots. Laser had to be the answer. It just had to give it a go. Six months later, I can say this: laser hair removal on dark skin can work - you just need to know what you’re doing and you need to book in with a very experienced professional. Here's what I have learned.

The Truth: Not All Lasers Are Created Equal

First things first: not every clinic is equipped to treat dark skin and after falling into several Reddit and TikTok rabbit holes, I realised that a shocking number of places still don’t have the right tech. I booked with  Cactus Laser Clinic, who specialise in safe laser for melanin-rich skin.

The laser you’re looking for is Nd. It uses a longer wavelength (1064nm) that skips the surface melanin and goes straight for the hair follicle. No burning, no hyperpigmentation, no drama.

I Started Small - Just In Case

I picked my underarms for two reasons: it’s a small, easy-to-hide area, and if it went terribly wrong, at least I wouldn’t have to explain a laser mishap on my legs pre summer.

The first session wasn't that bad. It felt like someone lightly flicking a rubber band against my skin. Unless you haven’t shaved properly. That’s when it stings. My therapist explained that if the hair’s too long, it singes and burns into the skin. A lesson I quickly learnt, was to always shave 24 hours before your next laser hair removal appointment.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Prep

Don’t sunbathe, don’t skip sunscreen and don’t kid yourself that hyperpigmentation won’t find you. I took a little trip to Ghana mid-treatment and came back with a souvenir I didn’t ask for - some extra pigmentation under my arms. My fault entirely, but it’s a reminder that you have to show the area some serious TLC in the lead-up to your laser hair removal session. Cactus Laser Clinic give you Aloe vera to sooth the skin and a body lotion SPF for post treatment.

And here’s another gem: exfoliate. Not straight after, but regularly in between sessions. I use a gentle AHA body scrub twice a week to help with texture andprevent ingrowns. It makes the skin smooth, and it helps fade any marks too.

So, What’s the Verdict?

I’m six sessions deep, and honestly? I barely think about my underarm hair anymore. The regrowth is sparse and soft, and in some spots, it’s completely gone. I still have a couple of stubborn areas, but it’s miles better than where I started. No more razor bumps. No more panic-shaving before events. I went in thinking laser hair removal was a hoax and now? I’m already planning my next area. Legs, bikini line, maybe even arms.

Renee Washington, Grazia's digital fashion and beauty writer, lives online. With a penchant for wispy lashes and streetwear, she writes about the worlds of fashion and beauty from the viewpoint of the modern fashion girlie..