Laser technology gives Mombasa women a new tint

Faith Chepleting’, a therapist, demonstrates how Soprano Eye Laser Hair Removal technology is used at Avane Centre in Mombasa. [PHOTO: KELVIN KARANI/STANDARD

KENYA: Mombasa women yearning for lighter skin are trooping in their hundreds to a clinic in Nyali to have unwanted tints removed and hair zapped using the latest laser technology.

Dr Nura Salim, a cosmetic dermatologist running the Avane Cosmetic and Dermatology Clinic on Links Road in Nyali says the technology has seen women troop to her centre for cosmetic makeovers.

"I attend to 15 women on weekdays and over 20 during the weekend," says Dr Nura, noting that the procedure is painless and does not vapourise the skin. "It doesn't cause discoloration by destroying melanin, or cause bruises."

She says that although her work initially only entailed a cosmetic hair removal procedure using laser treatment, she bought a machine that safely reduces melanin after many women who turned up at her centre sought her advice on how they could lighten their skin with minimal consequences.

She laughs as she refers to the process as "removing the tint", which is clinically applied to treat hyper pigmentation and deal with skin problems like acne and improperly hued stretch marks. "We do not exactly change a black person into a mzungu by destroying melanin producing cells," she explains.

"Most of my girlfriends who used bleach trying to remove the tint look very sorry. I used steroids but have been told that they not only interfere with the quality of blood but also cause acne," says Mary Khayesi, who has used the technology.

For women seeking hair removal on the face, legs and nether regions of their bodies, Dr Salim uses the Soprano Ice hair removal technique, which is virtually painless. The machine employs a unique heating and energy delivery system which effectively damages hair follicles and prevents regrowth for up to two years.

Salim attributes the popularity of the laser technology to its non-invasive and painless nature. "People do not like needles stuck in their bodies. And what is more, the procedure can be performed on sensitive parts of the body like the nostrils and along the bikini line," she says.

Khayesi, who had both her hair removed and her skin lightened, says: "Those who could afford and were aware of the risks used to have the treatment conducted in 'safe' clinics overseas to get long-lasting results. I have told my friends of my latest beauty secret and I bring them here to try their luck."

Dr Pranav Pancholi, a cosmetic laser surgeon, warns that although many Kenyan socialites, celebrities or ordinary wananchi have taken to lightening their skins, there is a need to use conventional methods to avoid negative effects.

Dr Pancholi told Wednesday Life that some backstreet beauty procedures expose users to life-threatening illnesses like skin cancer and damage of vital organs like the liver.

"Women should be careful about some laser hair removers and laser skin procedures, which could end up causing skin burns and hypo-pigmentation blisters. It is important to have such delicate procedures conducted by qualified personnel," he said.

Wednesday Life established that a facelift can cost as much as Sh10,000 using the new technology, an improvement over centres that offer botox injections to eliminate frowns, wrinkles and crowfeet forming at the side of the eyes for Sh20,000.

"If it is not properly done, it may cause nasal and labial folds and sagging eyeballs," warns Salim.

Florence Mwawasi, a businesswoman in Mombasa, says that she has in the past travelled several times to Europe for hair removal "and it has been a very expensive affair".