Question
I'm a male with type 3 skin/dark hair, and had IPL done 2 weeks ago with the Vasculight HR. The IPL settings were al follows:
Filter = 695nm
Fluence = 33J/cm^2
# of pulses = 3
Pulse duration = 3.6ms
Delay = 80ms
I had the procedure done on my back and chest. I can see where the technician shot the IPL. Each shot is about 1cm x 2.5cm. Where the shot hit, the hair is falling out now 2 weeks later. I can also effortlessly pull the hairs out with my fingers at the shot area. HOWEVER, between each shot, there's about AN INCH of a gap where she did not shoot. I can tell, because in that area, the hair is growing quick, and cannot be pulled out (also, it does not look damaged like the hairs that were shot). Is it supposed to be like that?
I asked the tech, and she said that this is normal, since it is not allowed to overlap the shot areas and therefore there will be areas skipped due to this. According to her, they will get those "skipped" areas on the next procedure. I just don't buy the story... I have a feeling that they're cheaping out and not doing the job right. The whole procedure took only 1 hour (full back and full chest), where as I expected around 2 hours. I also want to add, after each shot the skin did not turn red or get bumps or anything (I was expecting some bumps at least to show follicular disruption). You could not tell where the shot was given just by looking at it.
In contrast, I had a small test spot done with the Lightsheer (different Doctor) at just 18Joules/cm^2 about 8 weeks ago, and the shot area was red and had bumps all over it (the redness disappeared in a few hours).
My question is; did these people likely do a good job, or should I not return to them for another session.

Answer
I'm a male with type 3 skin/dark hair, and had IPL done 2 weeks ago with the Vasculight HR. The IPL settings were al follows:
Filter = 695nm
Fluence = 33J/cm^2
# of pulses = 3
Pulse duration = 3.6ms
Delay = 80ms
I had the procedure done on my back and chest. I can see where the technician shot the IPL. Each shot is about 1cm x 2.5cm. Where the shot hit, the hair is falling out now 2 weeks later. I can also effortlessly pull the hairs out with my fingers at the shot area. HOWEVER, between each shot, there's about AN INCH of a gap where she did not shoot. I can tell, because in that area, the hair is growing quick, and cannot be pulled out (also, it does not look damaged like the hairs that were shot). Is it supposed to be like that?
I asked the tech, and she said that this is normal, since it is not allowed to overlap the shot areas and therefore there will be areas skipped due to this. According to her, they will get those "skipped" areas on the next procedure. I just don't buy the story... I have a feeling that they're cheaping out and not doing the job right. The whole procedure took only 1 hour (full back and full chest), where as I expected around 2 hours. I also want to add, after each shot the skin did not turn red or get bumps or anything (I was expecting some bumps at least to show follicular disruption). You could not tell where the shot was given just by looking at it.
In contrast, I had a small test spot done with the Lightsheer (different Doctor) at just 18Joules/cm^2 about 8 weeks ago, and the shot area was red and had bumps all over it (the redness disappeared in a few hours).
My question is; did these people likely do a good job, or should I not return to them for another session.

Answer
The IPL settings sound perfectly appropriate for your skin type, and the response in the areas where the strike hit was appropriate.
The large gaps between the IPL strikes IS abnormal. It is recommended to overlap strikes by about 10% to avoid "skip" areas. With adequate skin cooling (cold air, cold roller, cold handpeice plate), this amount of overlap does not cause significant increase in after-effects.
You should talk to the doctor who oversees the IPL technician about this.
You cannot compare fluences with IPL's, Diodes (like the LightSheer), Alexandrites,or Nd/YAG's. They all have different wavelength and target absorption characteristics and cannot be directly compared.
The red dots (perifollicular edema) are a good sign that signficant hair follicle injury was done, but the IPL at the above settings should do a great job for you, too.

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The doctor also insists that there should be a gap in between each shot. According to him, these missed areas will be struck on subsequent sessions. I'm thinking about switching to another doctor/facility for my next session. Sometimes you just have to go with what your common sense tells you.

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Answer
Truly, if a center is telling you that one inch gaps between IPL strikes is the norm, then you should seek another center. It is common to see a few small "missed" strips here and there, but your case just sounds like poor application technique.

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I found a center which uses the CoolGlide (Nd:YAG). From the wavelength standpoint, would the Nd:YAG's 1064nm wavelength be more effective (in general) than say the LightSheer's 800nm wavelength, since longer wavelengths penetrate deeper into the skin?
Also, why would you choose one of the above over the other?