Question
I was told for my skin complexion that diode is the only safe laser to use. I just had one session performed with the lightsheer laser, and was it ever painful. She started at 20 for the neck and then alternated between 16 & 14 for the rest of my face (cheeks, chin, upper lip). Right after the session a had numerous hairs on my neck that were just about falling out, and I had just shaved prior to going in. It is now the following day and my skin is very dry and there is still some slight burning and heat around my face (particularly my neck). Here is info from the lumenis website (makers of Lightsheer) regarding which skin tones it treats:
The LightSheer diode laser system safely and effectively treats all skin types (Fitzpatrick Skin Types I-VI) as well as tanned skin. For darker skin types and people with tans, appropriate fluences are generally lower and appropriate pulse widths are generally longer to prevent damage to the epidermis. Using the appropriate treatment parameters, however, people with all skin types can benefit from laser hair removal with the LightSheer.
Is this truly the best laser for my skin complexion?
What is the best moisturizer for my dry skin?
Would a Yag laser hurt less but work as well?
Thank's for your responses!

Answer
I was told for my skin complexion that diode is the only safe laser to use. I just had one session performed with the lightsheer laser, and was it ever painful. She started at 20 for the neck and then alternated between 16 & 14 for the rest of my face (cheeks, chin, upper lip). Right after the session a had numerous hairs on my neck that were just about falling out, and I had just shaved prior to going in. It is now the following day and my skin is very dry and there is still some slight burning and heat around my face (particularly my neck). Here is info from the lumenis website (makers of Lightsheer) regarding which skin tones it treats:
The LightSheer diode laser system safely and effectively treats all skin types (Fitzpatrick Skin Types I-VI) as well as tanned skin. For darker skin types and people with tans, appropriate fluences are generally lower and appropriate pulse widths are generally longer to prevent damage to the epidermis. Using the appropriate treatment parameters, however, people with all skin types can benefit from laser hair removal with the LightSheer.
Is this truly the best laser for my skin complexion?
What is the best moisturizer for my dry skin?
Would a Yag laser hurt less but work as well?
Thank's for your responses!

Answer
These are VERY low settings on the LightSheer that they are using on you. Technically, yes, LightSheer can be used on all skin types. But generally, it's a marketing technique, because it cannot be used SUCCESSFULLY on all skin types. When it is used on darker skin like yours, very low settings need to be used to avoid burning and pigmentation issues on the skin, and the problem is that these settings are just not high enough to KILL hair -- which is what you are ultimately trying to do. With a Yag laser, higher settings can be used to kill the hair safely without hurting your skin. I would switch lasers if I were you because as you found out, LightSheer even at these very low settings is burning your skin and at those settings, I doubt you are causing any permanent damage to the follicles. Normally, LightSheer is set to 25-45 joules on average. Yag lasers are made to cater to darker skin types. Aloe vera is a good moisturizer. Yag lasers hurt as much or more. It just depends on your pain theashhold. If it's too painful, you can use a numbing cream. But if you can tolerate it, I wouldn't.
Good luck.

Answer
Like blink888 said, you're always going to feel some discomfort from laser. You should feel that pricking/pinching sensation as the laser pulses, but your skin should never ever feel hot.
When ppl have light skin, they can use any laser they want, including a YAG. Light skin does not absorb the laser, which means high settings can be used, and hair can be killed, without damaging any skin.
You do not have fair skin. I would use a YAG if I were you.
1) If you have to use ultra-low Lightsheer settings, facial hair won't disappear, and could actually worsen.
2) As you've noticed from your first session, your skin is too dark to handle even the low Lightsheer settings.
SWITCH LASERS!