I went in for my 2nd treatment almost 2 months ago. 3-4 weeks after, I noticed that my bikini area was still growing at it’s normal rate and I had barely experienced any shedding. I called my clinic to let them know and they told me that it was normal. I explained how the technician had not spent a lot of time on the area and it was not nearly as painful as the first time - I remember there being less zaps. They told me that this was not the case, that she actually did more zaps and that the difference in my skin colour could’ve caused the difference in shedding.
I don’t know a lot about this, but I really don’t believe that. Frankly, I feel as though the treatment wasn’t done right and they should’ve done a touch-up. Now, I’m only 4 weeks away from my next (3rd) treatment and they’re still giving me the run-around about the supposedly not botched 2nd treatment. I bought a package of 5 sessions and I really feel that I shouldn’t have to pay for extras because their technician did a bad job - but they act as though this is normal.
you are basically right. the settings were probably lower and not enough to cause shedding. you need to provide the laser name, settings both first time and now, and your skin type for us to be able to help you further.
Sorry about that - it was very difficult to get them to give me that information. I finally succeeded and here is what they told me.
Lightsheer laser
First visit: 33-30 joules
Second visit: 36-30 joules
They told me that my skin type falls between 2 and 3 (supposedly). I actually think I fall between 1 and 2 - very fair skin and dark brown hair. I can’t tan - I only burn.
Does this make sense? It looks to me as though they didn’t bump it up high enough. My underarms have done well and the settings they used for them were: 1st 30-auto; 2nd 36-auto.
They claim they up the settings by 20% each visit, but it doesn’t look as though they did on the bikini area.
this laser is a bit more difficult to operate. most professionals say they get better results by using compression and up and down technique instead of gliding it along the skin. joules is not the only indication of settings on this machine. pulse is very important. basically, the smaller the pulse, the more effective. if you’re that light, you can probably be easily treated at 40 joules like RC2001 did although he’s a type III-IV. Pulse should be as low as possible, so as close to 5-20m/s as they are willing to get. If they’re not sure, you should insist on test spots to “prove” to them that your skin can handle it fine.