24-03-2025
How Laser Hair Removal Became This Black-Owned Medspa's Specialty
Kristin Wagner, COO & Keisha Wagner-Gaymon, Nurse Practitioner and CEO
When Keisha Wagner-Gaymon opened her laser hair removal business, PeachFuzz, it was one of the few Black-owned services on the block. She started with one client, and soon, a line formed in front of her Brooklyn brownstone for women who wanted the same service.
'The lack of trusted, safe, and effective options for Black and Brown skin motivated me to take action,' the founder proudly says. 'I wanted to change the narrative and create a space where people of color could access premium, expert-led laser hair removal services without fear.'
Laser hair removal is by no means a new procedure. It dates back to 1996 when Dr. Richard Anderson and Dr. Melanie Grossman at Harvard Medical School performed the first successful treatment. Just one year later, in 1997, the Food and Drug Administration approved laser hair removal for cosmetic use.
However, despite 10 to 30 percent of Black people suffering from ingrown hairs, and the demographic being disproportionately affected by conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), they are less likely to receive the treatment due to providers lacking the knowledge to deal with darker skin tones.
Thus, studios like PeachFuzz came into play, offering the same service but also a safe space for clients of color alike.
Peach Fuzz Laser Studio
While branching into the cosmetic industry is not an easy venture for everyone, Wagner-Gaymon found that her trials were two-fold when it came to trying to provide the specialized services.
The global laser hair removal market is projected to reach $7.7 billion by 2035, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.3%, making it a lucrative industry, but for Wagner-Gaymon, being specialized in darker skin tones cost her a bit more.
'Funding is one of the biggest hurdles for Black-owned businesses in the beauty and wellness space,' she explains. 'Unlike some of the larger medspa chains that have investors backing them, we had to bootstrap our business in the beginning and we are still bootstrapping.'
Take for example, the average cost of an IPL laser hair removal machine can run between $2800 to $3500, but due to her business focusing on skin of color, Wagner-Gaymon paid almost double for hers. Despite Black brands making up only 2.5 percent of revenue in the beauty industry (according to McKinsey) Black consumers are responsible for 11.1 percent of total beauty spending.
'Most older laser technology was designed for lighter skin tones and could cause burns or hyperpigmentation on melanin-rich skin. We had to do extensive research to ensure that we were using FDA-approved lasers with Nd: YAG technology, which is the gold standard for treating darker skin tones safely,' the nurse practitioner says.
Wagner-Gaymon started her business with just her personal 401k savings, paying out-of-pocket for essential services including training and materials, for her the cost was worthwhile.
'Beyond finding the right lasers, we also had to focus on proper training. Even with the best technology, if a provider doesn't understand how melanin reacts to laser energy, they can still cause harm. That's why we prioritize continuous education for ourselves and our staff, ensuring that every treatment is performed with expert precision.'
Peach Fuzz co-owners Kristin Wagner, COO, and Keisha Wagner-Gaymon, Nurse Practitioner and CEO
While technology and machines may have evolved, the clientele for the service has largely remained the same for years. In fact, in 2023 people of color were urged to take precautions from the service, due to a history of burns and malpractice from the procedure. Wagner-Gaymon saw the gap in the industry and set out on a personal journey to serve as the bridge.
'Many of my clients were dealing with ingrown hairs, hyperpigmentation, and skin irritation after traditional hair removal methods like shaving, waxing, and tweezing. But when it came to laser hair removal, people with darker skin were often told it wasn't safe for them or that they were at risk for burns and scarring,' Wagner-Gaymon says.
The fears of laser hair removal among clients of color are not ill-founded. In 2020, a Black Toronto woman went viral after her face was burned following a laser hair removal procedure, adding a complex layer of fear to the already dispelled service.
'There is a psychological and emotional layer,' says Shantelle Clarke, Founder of Diamond Skin Clinic. 'Many clients of color come in with skepticism, shaped by past trauma or misinformation.'
Melanie Clark has been receiving laser hair removal at Peach Fuzz for four years, but it wasn't until she received the service from a provider that looked like her, that she felt comfortable.
'As a black woman, even experiencing having hair removal through other forms, dealing with discolorations and ingrowns, there's always the concern of 'Am I in the best hands?' With Peach Fuzz, their business being skin of color specialist in itself was reassuring.'
The business offers a range of services tailored for hair removal for those of color. From traditional laser hair removal to electrolysis, a procedure that a permanent hair removal method that uses an electric current to destroy hair follicles, and vajacials and facials, the laser equipment is adjusted based on your skin color, hair color, and hair coarseness. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, Black women are more likely than other groups to report being treated unfairly by a healthcare provider due to their race and ethnicity. The detailed thought behind each service is not only comforting to clients but shines a light on a bigger concern of people of color receiving quality care from medical providers.
'If I'm being honest, if I'm getting care by someone who looks like me in for laser hair removal, am I doing it in other areas too? I just wanna make sure that that's a priority and intentional goal for me,' Clark concludes.
For Wagner-Gaymon, being an advocate for laser hair removal helps keep her going and the business growing.
'For too long, people of color were told laser wasn't for them but technology has evolved, and so has the demand. Access to safe, expert-led laser hair removal services is a game-changer for Black and brown individuals; That's why Peachfuzz exists to ensure that people of color always have a seat at the table when it comes to beauty, wellness, and self-care.'
