Question
Thanks to all of you who are patiently answering my questions. Today I called the clinic to get my settings. My first treament was exactly 5 weeks ago. I go in next week for my second treatment. Here's my info.:
Laser used is a Cutera Xeo. They didn't have my skin type in the computer, but I am quite fair (usually burn, tan very gradually), with dark brown course hair.
Spot size used: 10 cm.
Settings/results:
Lower leg - 65 joules. No shedding, no loose hairs, no reduction anywhere. No pain on shins, moderate pain on calves.
Underarms - 45 joules. About 10% reduction. I'm shaving this area out of necessity (I'm here in tank-top weather San Diego )so I can't tell if there was shedding. Pain factor was OUCH!!
Brazilian Bikini - 40 joules. No shedding, no loose hairs. Maybe 5% reduction, at most, in "standard" front bikini area, no reduction in more private areas. I shaved all but a small triangle in front before treatment. Now that the surrounding hair has grown in, the triangle is indistinuishable. Pain was OMG!!!!!
Thank you for any input. I paid for a 5 treatment plan, and am getting pretty concerned. I cannot tolerate more joules on underarms/bikini. I used numbing cream, but it really hurt.
Thanks all.

Answer
Thanks to all of you who are patiently answering my questions. Today I called the clinic to get my settings. My first treament was exactly 5 weeks ago. I go in next week for my second treatment. Here's my info.:
Laser used is a Cutera Xeo. They didn't have my skin type in the computer, but I am quite fair (usually burn, tan very gradually), with dark brown course hair.
Spot size used: 10 cm.
Settings/results:
Lower leg - 65 joules. No shedding, no loose hairs, no reduction anywhere. No pain on shins, moderate pain on calves.
Underarms - 45 joules. About 10% reduction. I'm shaving this area out of necessity (I'm here in tank-top weather San Diego )so I can't tell if there was shedding. Pain factor was OUCH!!
Brazilian Bikini - 40 joules. No shedding, no loose hairs. Maybe 5% reduction, at most, in "standard" front bikini area, no reduction in more private areas. I shaved all but a small triangle in front before treatment. Now that the surrounding hair has grown in, the triangle is indistinuishable. Pain was OMG!!!!!
Thank you for any input. I paid for a 5 treatment plan, and am getting pretty concerned. I cannot tolerate more joules on underarms/bikini. I used numbing cream, but it really hurt.
Thanks all.

Answer
these joules are pretty high, although not sure what the average is on this specific machine. haven't seen anyone use this laser at all on any of the forums for hair removal. you should have gotten results...i would have to say it might be the laser....there are several people from SD who are getting good results with their treatments with the new Comet laser and others, that you can find on the hairtell forum.
I think at this point, you need to bring this to the attention of the tech etc and arrange some kind of deal where if you see the same lack of results on your next treatment, they will refund your money.
My hunch is that this laser is not the best for hair removal since it does a variety of other procedures and haven't really seen others use this one in particular for hair removal specifically.

Answer
The Xeo is a combo, CoolGlide (nd:YAG) and IPL. Make sure they are using the CoolGlide for hair removal and not the IPL.
The YAG lasers are usually more uncomfortable on lighter skin. But the skin can take the higher settings, thus better results.