Question
HELP!!! I'm so confused. I want to start laser hair removal treatments within the next week, and have gone to consultations at two different places, as well as spoken with an additional two over the phone. I've narrowed it down to two. The first place uses the Cool Glide laser called the Palomar Starlust, and the next place uses the "Aurora Syneron" laser.
To give you background, I want to get my underamrs, lower legs, and brazilian bikini areas done. I have type II skin (very fair with dark coarse hair).
The Cool Glide is (according to the 1st center), the "latest" laser. It uses light to remove the hair, which seeks out the pigment in the hair. I am told I am the "ideal" candidate b/c I have fair skin and dark coarse hair. This center specializes in laser hair removal, dermabrasion, and skin care. The final price i was quoted after much negotiation was $2250 for 6 sessions on all three areas. the only thing that concerns me is that they say that they do the treatments 6 weeks apart, and the other centers recomended 8-10 weeks between sessions.
The Aurora Syneron Laser (according to the 2nd center) uses also the "latest" thing (whatever!). It is a laser with a range of 600 - 1080. In addition to the light treatment, it transmits a radio frequency from one side (positive) of the laser head to the other side (negative) of the laser head in an arch. They went into a lot of detail about how the laser detects the heat of the skin, and how they use these calculations to develop the specific setting right for each person. They said the laser has a safety mechanism built in where it shuts off in the rare event that the skin got too hot. They also offer a two year guarantee if any regrowth is seen in two years after the 6th session. The cost was more at this center ($3000) for all three areas combined, 6 sessions. They said that they do underarm and bikini treatments 7-10 weeks apart, and leg treatments 12-14 weeks apart.
So I'm soooo confused, because everyone says they have the "best" laser, and they are giving conflicting info as to time between treatments. I am by no means well off (I have been saving for 2 years to have this done), and want to make sure that I get the best results possible. If the Cool Glide works just as well, I would rather do that, b/c it's about $800 less, but I would be willing to find the money to pay for the aurora-syneron treatment if the results really are better.
CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP CLEAR UP THE CONFLICTING INFO, AND POINT ME IN THE DIRECTION OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE LASER FOR TYPE II SKIN????
THANKS SOOOOO MUCH!

Answer
HELP!!! I'm so confused. I want to start laser hair removal treatments within the next week, and have gone to consultations at two different places, as well as spoken with an additional two over the phone. I've narrowed it down to two. The first place uses the Cool Glide laser called the Palomar Starlust, and the next place uses the "Aurora Syneron" laser.
To give you background, I want to get my underamrs, lower legs, and brazilian bikini areas done. I have type II skin (very fair with dark coarse hair).
The Cool Glide is (according to the 1st center), the "latest" laser. It uses light to remove the hair, which seeks out the pigment in the hair. I am told I am the "ideal" candidate b/c I have fair skin and dark coarse hair. This center specializes in laser hair removal, dermabrasion, and skin care. The final price i was quoted after much negotiation was $2250 for 6 sessions on all three areas. the only thing that concerns me is that they say that they do the treatments 6 weeks apart, and the other centers recomended 8-10 weeks between sessions.
The Aurora Syneron Laser (according to the 2nd center) uses also the "latest" thing (whatever!). It is a laser with a range of 600 - 1080. In addition to the light treatment, it transmits a radio frequency from one side (positive) of the laser head to the other side (negative) of the laser head in an arch. They went into a lot of detail about how the laser detects the heat of the skin, and how they use these calculations to develop the specific setting right for each person. They said the laser has a safety mechanism built in where it shuts off in the rare event that the skin got too hot. They also offer a two year guarantee if any regrowth is seen in two years after the 6th session. The cost was more at this center ($3000) for all three areas combined, 6 sessions. They said that they do underarm and bikini treatments 7-10 weeks apart, and leg treatments 12-14 weeks apart.
So I'm soooo confused, because everyone says they have the "best" laser, and they are giving conflicting info as to time between treatments. I am by no means well off (I have been saving for 2 years to have this done), and want to make sure that I get the best results possible. If the Cool Glide works just as well, I would rather do that, b/c it's about $800 less, but I would be willing to find the money to pay for the aurora-syneron treatment if the results really are better.
CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP CLEAR UP THE CONFLICTING INFO, AND POINT ME IN THE DIRECTION OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE LASER FOR TYPE II SKIN????
THANKS SOOOOO MUCH!

Answer
Aurora is not a laser like others, it's an IPL with RF technology (not the best option). Coolglide is a Yag laser I believe, which is best for darker skin types (will work on light skin, but might take more treatments than an alex or a diode). For your skin and hair type, the best laser would be either an alexandrite type (like GentleLASE) or a diode (like LightSheer), but there are other manufacturers who make thes types as well.
If those are the only options, go with CoolGlide, but if you have other options, find one of the above lasers.

Answer
oh, btw, you should go back in for the next treatment as soon as you see a bunch of hair come out again after shedding occurs. after each treatment, you should basically shed all hair within 2-3 weeks and then be hairfree for a few weeks after that. For most people, depending on the area treated too, new set of hair will come out at aorund 6-10 weeks. So just come in when that happens for you. It's not a set time, it depends on you.

Answer
Thank You!!!
I did a lot of research last night (much of it on this site), and then called a few more places. I have a consultation set up tommorrow with Francine Capuzzo RN of The Laser Center. It's close to my house, and she says that she has been doing laser hair removal for 10 years (since the begining). She uses an alexandrite laser, and seemed very knowledgable. I got a good feeling from talking to her on the phone, and she seemed much more interested in providing me with information rather than trying to sell me something. I'll post to let you know how it goes, and what I decide.
Thanks again blink for the great advice and encouragement!