Candela GentleLASE: 18mm/6 joules settings..

Hair Removal Methods Laser hair removal
#1

Hi guys,

I need your opinion on my last treatment with Candela GentleLASE. It was my 5th treatment, previous 4 treatments were received in 3 independent salons with 4 different techs… The last one (5th) was sooo different compare to what I had before. Here’s the details:

Last session:

  • gel was applied on my legs ( for smooth gliding )
  • plastic tip did touch my skin during procedure
  • the setting used: 18mm, 6 joules for lower leg; 18mm, 10 joules for upper leg…
    -didn’t feel any discomfort or pain
    -didn’t have a redness
    -there were not “popping” with specific sound and smell of burnt hair…

Previous 4 sessions:
-nothing was applied on the legs
-tip didn’t touch my skin
-hair popped and smelled like burnt…
-there was redness, light pain for at least 24 hours after procedure

  • not sure about settings, but they definitely were higher ( approx.: 15 mm/11-14joules )
  • had very distinctive result ( no hair for about 3 months and at least 15% reduction after each treatment)

What do you think: were 18mm/6,10joules the right settings for me? I doubt it and am not expecting any result… ( Forgot to mention: I am skin type 2 ).

Any comments on the fact that gel was applied and tip did touch the skin? The person, who performed the procedure, told me, that it’s the only right way to do it, but techs, who I was dealing with before, performed in differently…

I understand, that I have to wait a couple of weeks to see if there will be any result, but still would like to hear the pro’s opinion.

Thanks in advance :slight_smile:

#2

Hi, (I’m a consumer not a pro.) Are you positive that it was a GentleLase and not another laser? The cooling gel and gliding part does not sound like GentleLase. GentleLase uses an internal coolant spray before each laser burst. And 18mm 6-10 joules is very, very low! to expect permanent results. 14-16 joules would be decent settings to start with and if you’re a true skin type 2, you should handle up to 18mm 20 joules with no problem, aside the pain factor.

#3

Thanks for the reply:)
Yes, I am positive that it was Candela GentleLASE.

Guys, is there any official document/instruction about right settings? I think, I’ll need to come back and ask for redoing, but if I bring an official paper probably it’ll be better to convince them to redo.
Maybe I should contact Candela ( I found the salon on candelalaser.com ), because I suspect it wouldn’t be easy to make these guys to redo procedure for me: it seemed like they think only about money, not about result or client’s satisfaction…
Does Candela stay behind their products/ affiliated salons and could help, what do you think?

#4

Here you go jeannie:

http://www.laserpartnersok.com/uploads/GLP_Treatment_Guidelines.pdf

I don’t think Candela can force them to use high settings on you. They would probably defer to the person who is actually seeing you. As for the tip, everyone I’ve gone has had that ringed tip touch my skin. I don’t think it matters (I think they just need to be careful cause it will hurt when it gets too hot after too many pulses.)

#5

Thank you, Brenton.

That was very helpful.

I also figured why she did apply gel on me: I noticed that I have sensitive skin and once had bruises on my lower leg after LHR; she said, that it happens because of cryogen spray ( which I don’t think is true), so she tried to minimize risk ( and her personal responsibility for possible side effect) and added a layer of lubricant instead of using DCD…