22/F/African/NYC - Questions and Concerns

Hair Removal Methods Laser hair removal
#1

Hi, everyone! After a lot of obsessing and reading about laser hair removal, I decided to go for it. I’ve decided on the Advanced Derma Laser Center as the facility that I want to get this done (off of Madison Ave). Not sure if anyone has experience with this place, but the facility was attractive (and more importantly, clean!), there was a doctor on staff, and my consultation went well with the technician.

Anyway, I know I’m in the high risk category for laser hair removal since I’m dark (Taye Diggs dark… maybe a bit lighter). There’s not a lot of details or treatment diaries out there for people in my situation (I’m planning on making one too).

I’m planning on getting a brazilian, nipples, and stomach done. All of my hair is coarse and curly. I would opt for electrolysis for my nipples, but I read that curly hair can be problematic. It’ll be about $1800 for a package of 6 treatments with $50 dollar touch-ups thereafter for everything.

So! Here come my questions:

  1. The laser that will be used is a Cutera Coolglide. My technician did a test patch on my stomach and it went well, I think. She did the whole area (really nice). The laser actually tickled, but I might have a high threshold for pain.Some hairs are still there though… I’m expecting that the hair should fall out in a couple of weeks.

Anyone have any suggested settings for the laser? I’m wondering if I could go higher on the laser when I get my first treatment… I know the higher, the better as long as you don’t get burned. But I’m not sure if it’s different for people of my skin tone… I also have discoloration due to ingrown hairs if that changes matters much. I’m prone to hyperpigmentation

  1. I’m also hesitant to shave before my first treatment on Thursday. I get ingrowns, easily, and would rather trim as close to the skin as possible. I normally use a delipatory cream to get rid of the hair, but the technician said shaving is better since the cream would thin out the skin. But I also heard it’s a lot more painful if you don’t shave. True? And have people experienced ingrowns AFTER getting laser hair treatment because of shaving prior?

I’m excited since I start my treatments next week! I just want to get rid of my ingrowns and this unsightly mess.

#2

Welcome to the hairtell family.

Laser is more problematic for people of color because the laser light is attracted to color whether it be hair or skin. It doesn’t know the difference. You have to shave or clip closely to the skin surface to avoid too much damage. Hyperpig can happen to vulnerable people, but it fades after the hair is no longer an irritant.

I just finished a breast hair appointment a few minute ago and the hairs were curvy and the person was a Caucasian. Makes no difference. All colors of women and men have curvey hair around the areola’s usually. Those hairs are not tough enough to survive when treated by a skilled electrologist. The blend method for electrolysis is awesome for hairs with these charactaristics. NO BIG DEAL. There are thermolysis modes, such as SYNCHRO with the Apilus Platinum, which will disable those curvy hair follicles with no problem. I think you will not get total satisfaction with these hairs and will eventually need a good electrologist in the end, but time will tell. This goes for the abdomen as well. A good electrologist can get you permanent hair removal assuredly for $1,800, give or take, as long as you get cleared every single time and keep to a schedule that corresponds with the trickling in of new hair growth cycles.

Good luck with your plan and do keep your diary here. It’s fun to go back to the beginning and read what was going on in those early stages.

Dee

#3

Don’t worry about ingrowns. The hair will come out and will fall out after the treatment. So you shouldn’t get any ingrowns. The hair will be singed and should come out easily if it’s coarse.

We can’t recommend setting over the internet for your skin type. You need to have them test various options. Ask what they’re planning to use and post them here. You should definitely FEEL the treatment and usually a good amount of pain. Also, wait and see if you experience shedding from the test spot before you go in for any treatments. I would have waited to sign up so you can see if it worked first.

Electrolysis would still be best for the nipple area in my opinion. The hairs there are usually too sparse for laser and you risk stimulating more growth around the area you’re treating. Blend electrolysis method has no problems with nipple area. I had it done myself instead of laser.

#4

Awesome, thanks for the responses! I’ve been doing my research for a while now, but I haven’t really looked into electrolysis before so I guess that’s the next thing I’ll be researching. I’ll hold off on the nipple area until then. The stomach looks pretty decent so far from the test run, and I was mainly worried about possible burns (that medspa website with some patients with IPL really scared).

I’ve only made the appointment… I haven’t given any money yet, but my next appointment was for Thursday. That would make it a week… Do you think I should wait a bit longer or would it be enough to assess a result? I can’t wait to start, hah! I’ve been calling all these laser hair removal places and going in consultations that I’m just antsy to get going. So many of them couldn’t because of my dark skin, others were way too high for someone as broke as me :-/

#5

Advanced Dermalaser can treat your skin type quite well and pricing is in line with NYC pricing.

#6

A quick question about the lasers… Advanced Dermalaser uses the Cutera Coolglide, but past posters seem to recommend Candela’s GentleMax/GentleYAG for dark skin.

Is there a huge difference between the two? Before I plunge in, should I look at places that offer GentleYag? I’d rather get a package deal honestly even though it’s probably smarter to go treatment by treatment.

#7

There should not be a huge difference with one laser vs another. However, GENTLEMAX/GENTLEYAG may be more suitable for bikini and abdomen area.

#8

For dfahey…
Hi …can please you tell me what is different about SYNCHRO mode with Apilus Platinum that makes it superior for removing hair from curved follicles. I do not know anything about SYNCHRO MODE

#9

Coolglide should give you good results. GentleYAG/GentleMAX may be a bit better, but I wouldn’t worry about it if you’re comfortable with this clinic. Experience and setting settings correctly will make all the difference. So that’s most important.

I would wait another 2 weeks to see how shedding goes before plunging in. If you’ve waited this long, what’s about 2 weeks to make sure it’s done right?