In melanin-rich skin, there is more pigment in the epidermis, which means the laser energy can be absorbed earlier than intended. Jeanine Downie, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Montclair, New Jersey, says melanin-rich skin has melanocytes that are larger and generally have higher baseline activity levels. She adds that these pigment-producing cells release more inflammatory 'mediators' faster than in those [in lighter skin tones] in response to heat or other trauma. Signs of a poor reaction to laser hair removal would be pretty immediate during treatment
The review further suggested that melanocortin receptor activation [may modulate] cellular resilience through modulation of redox sensitive pathways and pigment associated sequestration processes. These hypotheses were presented as exploratory and largely inferential, relying on mechanistic overlap rather than direct experimental validation
This may lead to yeast infections, which can cause itching, redness, or discomfort in affected areas
EClinicalMedicine 38 , 101019 (2021)
Wadden T, Bailey TS, Billings LK, et al
