Question

After my first treatment, I noticed patches where there wasn't any hair when the rest of it grew back, but now that I've had 2 additional treatments, I don't see this anymore... The hair growth seems the same as it did before I got the laser treatments.
I haven't been feeling any major pain - just a few pinches here and there - so I'm not sure if the settings are high enough. I'm a bit disappointed because I have 3 more sessions and doubt the hair will magically disappear.
I've been shaving my underarms as often as I need to, but let my legs go unshaven for as long as I can... I'm not really sure if I'm supposed to shave often or not, and if this may hinder progress.
Please advise.
Thanks!

Answer
Hi,
I have fair skin, dark hair, and have undergone 3 laser treatments on my legs, bikini, and underarms at the American Laser Center. I have not seen any difference yet.
After my first treatment, I noticed patches where there wasn't any hair when the rest of it grew back, but now that I've had 2 additional treatments, I don't see this anymore... The hair growth seems the same as it did before I got the laser treatments.
I haven't been feeling any major pain - just a few pinches here and there - so I'm not sure if the settings are high enough. I'm a bit disappointed because I have 3 more sessions and doubt the hair will magically disappear.
I've been shaving my underarms as often as I need to, but let my legs go unshaven for as long as I can... I'm not really sure if I'm supposed to shave often or not, and if this may hinder progress.
Please advise.
Thanks!

Answer
Well, if you haven't been shedding, then it would appear that the settings were too low. If you've been shedding, you should have a period of being hairless. If that has happened, then it has been working. From my personal experience, I began to really start noticing the difference after the 4th time. Though, I think there was some noticeable difference around the third time, too.

Answer
Oh, shaving won't make a difference. They key is the shedding.
If you haven't been feeling much of anything during the treatments, then I think that would be another indicator that the settings were too low and therefore ineffective.

Answer
it sounds like you haven't seen hair shed, which means it's not working. and you're right, hair will not magically disappear. the way it "disappears" is by falling out after each treatment (i.e. hair hasn't shed=hair hasn't been killed and it's not going anywhere). it still amazes me how many people go to this chain clinic at certain locations and don't even know what to expect during treatments.
the other indicator as BRR said, is if you're not feeling anything, they're treating you at such low settings that will not cause any hair to "disappear". For areas with coarse hair like bikini and underarms, you normally see results after the very first treatment.

Answer
Thank you both for your replies... I guess the settings are too low. My next and 4th visit is in early February, so I will bring this up and see what the technician says.
I recall I had some redness on my legs for a couple of days after my first treatment, but didn't notice anything after the 2nd or 3rd... I guess they're trying to be cautious not to burn my skin... I just hope this isn't all a waste of money and time.
I'll keep you posted.
Happy New Year to you!

Answer
With me, I had some redness each time, though there were areas that didn't seem to have any at all. The redness was around the pores where the hair follicles were. I believe that is a good indicator as well. However, the best indicator whether or not you had an effective treatment would be the shedding. If, after a couple of weeks, hairs were falling out or they slide out only with a slight tug, then you were shedding. Also, there should be a few weeks where there isn't any hair.
You haven't said that shedding occurred so I am going to assume that it didn't. In that case, then you should most definately look into having higher settings done. Yes, in our law-suit happy society, they might have been way to conservative on your settings.

Answer
conservative settings are also a waste of your money. i.e. 2 treatments that you've had didn't bring any results. I would also bring that up with the place and ask for a reshoot explaining that you haven't seen any shedding. informed places that care about your results should tell you that you should experience shedding of all treated hair and if you don't, to come back in for a retreatment at higher settings because it's an obvious indicator that the treatment you paid for didn't do anything.