Question
Hello,
I am a caucasion male, skin type 3 I think, and the hair I want to remove is dark and course (back, chest, neck, and shoulders). I have been reading this forum as well as the sites for many of the laser clinics over the past few weeks. I have found lots of great info, but still have some outstanding questions:
1) Number of treatments? I know there is not a fixed answer to this this question. I have read information on clinic sites that sell anywhere between 4 and 8 treatment packages. What is the average number of treatments required?
2) What is the best type of laser for my skin type?
3) Does anyone have any recommendations for the Atlanta area? Price is a consideration of course ... but then again who does not say that
Some of the best prices I have seen online are for a place that uses a "Iridex Apex Diode laser". I am hoping that one is a good match for my skin type.
Thanks for your input
Answer
Hello,
I am a caucasion male, skin type 3 I think, and the hair I want to remove is dark and course (back, chest, neck, and shoulders). I have been reading this forum as well as the sites for many of the laser clinics over the past few weeks. I have found lots of great info, but still have some outstanding questions:
1) Number of treatments? I know there is not a fixed answer to this this question. I have read information on clinic sites that sell anywhere between 4 and 8 treatment packages. What is the average number of treatments required?
2) What is the best type of laser for my skin type?
3) Does anyone have any recommendations for the Atlanta area? Price is a consideration of course ... but then again who does not say that
Some of the best prices I have seen online are for a place that uses a "Iridex Apex Diode laser". I am hoping that one is a good match for my skin type.
Thanks for your input
Answer
diodes or alexandrite lasers would be best for you. make sure they use high joules though, especially on the shoulders. shoulders for men is a hard area to treat. undertreating it can stimulate more growth, so you need to make sure they tackle it with high settings right away.
you'll need at least 6-8 treatments for a good reduction. it really varies per person. you'll see once you'll start how many you'll actually need. if you're looking for 100% hair removal, you'll probably need to finish off with electrolysis after a certain point when remaining stragglers will be thin and fine.
type in "Atlanta" into the search box to see if anyone has recommended a place in the past. price shouldn't be a priority in LHR. Experience of the tech who will be doing the treatment is most important. Spending a bit less money for ineffective treatment won't justify itself in the end.
Answer
Thanks Blink!
About the type of laser, will anything with the name 'diodes' or 'alexandrite' in it do? Or is there more to it that I need to be concerned
with such as 'Cynosure Alexandrite'?
This is the exact verbage from a few of the companies that I have been looking at:
1) Cynosure Alexandrite/Yag Laser (Elite laser, the Cynosure 9300, ) as well as the Cutera Coolglide (YAG) Laser.
2) Our laser, the FDA approved, Iridex Apex Diode laser, has a special cooling tip that cools the skin during and after treatment to minimize discomfort.
3) Intense Pulse Light (IPL) and diode laser for best results in hair removal. The Syneron Cometฎ powered by elosฎ combined energy technology is the fastest, most effective hair removal laser available today. The Bi-Polar RF and high power diode laser combination requires lower overall energy levels for superior results, removing ALL hair colors (including white, gray, and red) - on all skin types.
4) The Palomar Starluxฎ Pulsed Light hair removal works by emitting pulses of intense light into the hair follicles. The light is absorbed by the pigment in the follicles and converted to heat. The heat then loosens the hair and disables the cells responsible for growing new hair. The variety of Lux handpieces allows the treatment to be customized to the client's needs.
Answer
sometimes they don't say what kind the laser is in the name. LightSheer for example is a diode and GentleLASE is an alexandrite. From what you have listed, I would go with option 1 or 2, NOT 3 or 4.
Answer
Thanks again Blink ... you are extremely knowledgeable in this subject matter.
Is there a resource out there that lists all of the different types of lasers, by all of their given names (lightsheer, diode, etc)? I want to make sure I know all that I can before I begin the consultation phase.
Answer
you can probably google and find a list somewhere.
Here's one that I just found:
I recommend to stay away from IPLs for you. Find an alex or a diode for best results for your skin/hair type and of course an experienced tech.
Currently manufactured models of lasers are the following (by brand name - type of laser - manufacturer):
Acclaim 7000 - Nd:YAG - Cynosure
Apex 800 - Diode - IRIDEX
Apogee 5500 - Alexandrite - Cynosure
Apogee 6200 - Alexandrite Cynosure
Apogee 9300 - Alexandrite Cynosure
Apogee Elite Alexandrite/Nd:YAG Cynosure
Aurora Intense pulsed light (IPL)/RF - Syneron
Comet Diode/RF - Syneron
CoolGlide CV - Nd:YAG Altus/Cutera
CoolGlide Xeo - Nd:YAG Altus/Cutera
CoolGlide Vantage - Nd:YAG Altus/Cutera
CoolGlide Excel - Nd:YAG Altus/Cutera
Cynergy PL - IPL - Cynosure
DeLight - Flashlamp - Radiancy
Dualis XP Nd:YAG - Fotona
EpiLight - IPL ESC/Lumenis (This device is actually a flashlamp and not a true laser for hair removal.)
EpiStar DS series - Diode - Nidek
EsteLux - IPL Palomar
Fidelis XP Nd:YAG - Fotona
Galaxy IPL/RF - Syneron
Gemini - Nd:YAG - Laserscope
GentleLASE - Alexandrite Candela
GentleYAG Nd:YAG Candela
LightSheer (SC, EC, XC, SP, EP) - Diode - Coherent Star/Lumenis
Lyra-i - Nd:YAG - Laserscope
LPL - IPL - Lambda Scientifica
Lumenis One - IPL/Nd:YAG - Lumenis
MediLux - IPL - Palomar
MeDioStar XT - Diode - Asclepion-Meditec
NaturalLase 1064 - Nd:YAG - Focus Medical
NaturalLase LP - Nd:YAG - Focus Medical
NeoLux - IPL - Palomar
PhotoGenica LPIR - Alexandrite Cynosure
PhotoLight - IPL - Cynosure
PhotoSilk Plus - IPL Cynosure
Pitanga IPL/RF - Syneron
RubyStar+ - Ruby - Asclepion-Meditec
SkinStation - IPL - Radiancy
SmartEpil II - Nd:YAG - Cynosure
SoftLight - Nd:YAG ThermoLase/Danish Dermatologic Development
Solis - IPL - Laserscope
SpaTouch - IPL Radiancy
SpaTouch Pro - IPL - Radiancy
StarLight - Diode - Star Medical/Coherent
StarLux - IPL - Palomar
VascuLight Plus - IPL/Nd:YAG ESC/Lumenis
VEGA - Nd:YAG - Lambda Scientifica
