Laser removal isn't all that great. Plus, if you're not an ideal candidate, you'll end up looking like a sunburn victim. The laser beam finds the hair follicles by targeting the substance that gives skin and hair dark color - melanin. Therefore, the ideal candidate for laser has dark hair and light skin. The laser will not work on people with red, white, gray or true blond hair. The hot laser light will also be attracted to the melanin in the skin, so people with suntans, or dark skin types are at more of a risk for discoloration of pigment and other side effects.