Apogee settings?

Hair Removal Methods Laser hair removal
1

I’m a female South Indian/European decent with a skin type IV and black hair. Unlike my sisters, I have dealt with body hair ever since puberty. I have been to the doctors and it’s simply hereditary. With the help of my family, I am able to get laser treatment for my entire body at $2,500 per session. I have done 3 complete body sessions so far on Cynergy by Cynosure and have seen a difference thus far. Unfortunately, I am not sure of the exact settings on the last Cynergy but I think it was 50J/30 pulse. Today when I went to get my back done, the doctor used Apogee Elite (Yag) since the Cynergy wasn’t available. This is the start of my 4th body treatment.

Used 50J/12 spot size/25 pulsewidth.

This is the first time I used numbing cream and feel some pain, but what a difference from not using it. I am schedule to do my arms this Thurs using Apogee Elite again. The doctor will proably use the same setting that she used today…would that be correct? Am open for any suggestions cause this is so expensive. I have enough money to do 3 more body sessions.

Lastly,next week I will be go back to the Cynergy, which seemed to have worked so far…what would be the ideal setting for that. I have had no burns or scars, just some redness and swelling of the follicles that lasted less than a day on my arms and lower back.

I hope this make sense, I have already spent $7.5K and I want to make sure I am on the right track. Thank you kindly.

2

my personal opinion is that this is a pretty expensive price for 1 full body session. Even if you add up the average prices for major areas (legs, arms, back, stomach, butt), it will probably come out to less than that amount ($500+300+400+200+200) on average. But given that you’re getting that much done, I would expect a pretty significant discount. I’ve seen quotes from people on these forums who paid around $7-10K for unlimited full body treatments for a period of 2 years or so. So, I would shop around before spending that much money again, or just do certain areas that bother you most first.

That said, the lasers and settings being used sound good. Are you seeing shedding of all hair? How coarse is the hair you’re treating?

Also, what kind of doctors have you seen? Have you been to a good endocrinologist specialist? Many regular physicians and gynecologists have a hard time determining underlying hormonal issues.

What areas do you have the hair that you want to treat? Where are you located?

3

Thanks for your reply…

I really thought I was getting a good deal when I added all the a la carte body treatments. Although, I was reading this site regularly, I was too embarrassed to post. I will research other places before my 5th treatment.

However, I do feel very comfortable with this doctor, but if I can find another place that’s reasonable and good, then I try the new place out. How much discount should I ask for at the current place??? Should I stay with the cynosure brands while looking for to a new place? Otherwise, could you recommend another laser?

I have been to a good endocrinologist…checked the testosterone levels, adrenal glands, ovaries, etc. There were no findings of anything abnormal. Prior to laser I was waxing my body. My legs, buttocks, arms, lower back and around the nipples were coarse. The rest of my body hair was less coarse but still dark.

I had experienced shredding in all areas except the occasional missed spots. The hair on my legs are about 40% less and less coarse, but still feel prickly even though I don’t see that much hair in certain spots. My lower back feels so smooth to the touch, not prickly anymore! My underarms are amazing. The hair there are fine and I can it seems to be only 25% of what was there prior to laser. My lower arms are about 20% less hairs but lass coarse. The upper arms are now denser but fine and so long! Same thing with the top part of my back, hair is fine, but more dense and long! My only concern was the upper arms and upper back. All the hairs mentioned are still black. The doc did 3 spot test on Apogee 5500 (alex) and I have had no discoloration.

The first 3 body treatments I did at 8 wks intervals except for the face at 6wks. I have just started the 4th treatment at 10wks and face at 8ks.

I currently live in Oakland, CA and will be moving to San Fran shortly. I am open to any suggestions with other laser company and any knowledge you would like to impart.

4

Yes, I would definitely research other options. My friend just did a search in the Bay area and found at least 15 clinics that fit her needs. She checked out 5 and picked one of them. Prices really vary, so does experience on the part of the tech etc. It sounds like you’re getting results here, so I wouldn’t discount this place, but I would rather go and obtain quotes from at least 3-4 other places so you can possibly bargain for a better deal here. It sounds like his per area prices are pretty high to begin with, so it makes it seem like a good deal, but compared to other places, I don’t think it is, especially considering how many areas you’re getting done.

Upper arms and upper back are hard to treat areas, especially if the hair is not dense and coarse. you might need electrolysis there.

With type IV skin, it can be hard to point you to the best laser. GentleLASE alex is a good laser, but you might be too dark for it. It’s impossible to tell without doing test spots and seeing how high they can do on the settings. LightSheer diode or a Yag laser like you’ve been using are good in good hands. I would obtain settings that this doctor used on you since you know those are working for most areas, so you can compare to other places.

there are dozens of clinics in SF from as I found out from my friend’s research. Some names that she found with LightSheer are: Maas Clinic, Epicenter Med Spa, Union St Spa. You should also check out a few GentleLASE and Yag clinics just to get test spots and see what your skin can handle. If you can handle pretty high settings on the GentleLASE, I would go with that. Some clinics I heard of with GentleLASE are Aura Skin spa (that’s what my friend decided on after checking out 5 clinics), Urban Allure, San Francisco Laser clinic, Spina MD Medispa, MD Kathleen Welsh (has Yag too), Beauty before Age, Premier Dermatology, Dermatology Medical Group. You can google for any of these.

Here are provider search links:

Candela GentleLASE Alexandrite or GentleYag ND:Yag: http://www.candelalaser.com/patients/index.cfm?task=practSearch

Lumenis LightSheer Diode: http://www.skinandhealth.com/details/practitioner

Cutera Coolglide ND:Yag:
http://www.cutera.com/locator/main.asp

American Society of Dermatological Surgery procedure provider search
http://www.asds.net/find.html

5

For New York City, your pricing is good.
The Cynergy is good but I would prefer the Apogee Elite Yag portion. 50 J, 35 msc pulse is not bad however I prefer a lower pulse width. The Apogee 5500 is an Alexandrite and you must be careful with the settings. On the other hand, once your hair is finer and thinner, an Alexandrite Laser 9 Gentlelase or Apogee 5500 ) would be the only way to go.

6

Lagirl – Wow…thanks so much for your indepth reply. I’ve emailed all the clinics you mentioned and I’m waiting a price quote from them before I proceed with an appointment. I’ll also look into more yag and diode clinics. I appreciate the boost you have given me to research different options. Added the links to my favorites…thx!

Chris – Would you mind explaining why you would prefer the Apogee Elite Yag over the Cynergy? Won’t both lasers produce the same results since they have 1064nm? Unfortunately, the clinic I go to doesn’t own the Elite, it was only a loaner. Today I did my full arms laser at 50J/12ms/25pulse with the Elite. This loaner goes back next week.

7

Apogee Elite is a combo machine. It has both alex and Yag settings.

8

$2,500 per session? Assara Laser has a special “unlimited” deal for $599/month. And they carry the Apogee Elite. If you don’t live in New York City, ignore this post because although Assara is expanding to 5 cities by September (at least according to a recent article I read), currently their website,ads in AM NY, Metro, etc.only list an address in NYC…

(Hope this was helpful.)