Are these settings good enough? Tech wont change!

Hair Removal Methods Laser hair removal
#1

Hello all,

After doing my research here, I found a clinic that has an alexandrite/yag laser (Apogee Elite plus) and I signed on for three treatments for the brazilian area. Today was my first session and I asked if I could try the highest settings allowed and tolerable, but the technician shook her head and said that she would see how the skin/hair follicle would react and those would be her settings. I took a picture of the settings she used, and I asked her afterwards to confirm what settings she used. She said 30j, 30 something, and a 10mm spot size. Attached is the picture of the settings used when she stepped out of the room:

Id like to know if you guys think these settings are good enough to get me results. Im mediterranean with light skin and slight olive tones (type 3), and the hair in the area being treated is very dark and course.

The tech didnt seem like she was open to trying different settings, so if these settings arent high enough, what should I do? Continue with the two treatments left and see what happens, ask for a refund, call the clinic and ask for higher/different settings if possible, or just stop going?

Thank you!

qwerty Attachments

settings used.JPG

#2

No, those are quite low. I’m also not sure why she is using 10mm spot size when 15mm is much more effective (the Apogee Elite goes to 15mm, not sure about the AE plus).

ACtually, I just looked it up and the AE+ can go up to 18mm which is very effective. Your settings are way too low. See here (this is for the AE, not the AE+ but you can get an idea):

http://medlasersolutions.com/media/ApogeeElite.pdf

#3

You are using a wavelength (1064 nm) which is of the Neo Dimio Yag laser, seems to me a very appropriate first treatment, since the flow is 30j / cm2.
Expect to see results and com or your skin reacts.

#4

First I must say, judging settings without actually seeing the area is never precise, because what “dark, coarse and dense” means for one person is very different to another. But having worked with 10mm spotsize NdYag for years, 30 j is on the low side, but 30 ms is a short pulse as well. On bikini due to the density and texture of the hair one needs to heat the hair slower, so longer pulse width.
However, clinics have protocols stating the safe starting settings according to the skin type and hair colour, texture and density. That may be the reason why your tech is unwilling to push the settings at this point.
I would say give it 2.5 weeks and see how much hair will fall out. If the area clears off nicely by then, you may be getting sufficient treatment. I would expect the settings to go higher next time though.

#5

Even with the mixed responses, I appreciate all of them. I will see how things look in 2 weeks. What should I expect?

Also, the last poster mentioned that you expect the settings to go higher next time. On average, how much more should I expect?

#6

Optimal response from laser setting is considered when one or two of the follicles treated in the shot show some debris ejection. You usually hear a crackling sound too. But this needs to be mild, or it will mean the setting is too high. However, you can still get the above signs and have a setting that’s not right, if the pulse width is too short on thick dense hair.
Two weeks after the treatment all hair in the area, or at least most of it, should fall out.

#7

Can you explain in more detail what you mean here? Why does a short pulse width not work well on thick dense hair

#8

Settings are low. For skin type 3, if you are doing bikini and area is coarse, practitioner should use bigger spot size ( like 15 mm ). If they want to use YAG, then the energy should be a little higher and pulse width a little lower. I do not agree with the settings at all.