I have been thinking about changing lasers for my upper arm(s). Here are my specifics:
Male
Type III - IV skin
3 treatments - Lightsheer diode
30/30 = first two
23/auto = third
Very good results with the first two treatments and the hair is coming in much more finer. For the third treatment the tech went with auto to shorten the pulse, but for some reason she lowered the joules too ? I want to get a little more aggressive and I am thinking about switching to the Gentlelase. I would not go higher then 14 or 16 joules / 18mm – I know the pulse is fixed. The wave length is just about the same (800 vs. 755). I also know the cryogen spray is set by a time delay and it can be reduced to decrease the chance of burning; MY MAIN CONCERN.
Should I get a test spot done with the GL or just stay with the diode ? My last treatment (#3) was one week ago this Sunday, and it seems like the fine hair is going to come back. My skin reacts well to the treatments and I think the GL is a better laser, but I absolutely do NOT want any hyperpigmentation. I trust my tech but if I ask her the same question she will give me a biased opinion; she does not carry the GL.
GentleLASE could work better on the finer hair, though this area is hard to treat. I would try GentleLASE if you have nothing to lose. You should be finr at 16 joules is you’re truly a type III-IV. You can try a few test spots to see if you can go even higher. They shouldn’t have decreased the joules on auto setting and I think “auto” on LightSheer is actually a higher pulse than 30ms or same…isn’t it? Lightsheer only goes down to 5ms btw and GentleLASE is set at 3ms, plus GentleLASE spot size is almost twice as big, so definitely better chance for good results.
Thanks for the reply; you’re always generous with your opinions and I appreciate that.
I am truly a type III - IV but with the warmer weather around the corner I won’t be for long. I agree that the joules on my last treatment should not have been decreased, and I don’t know the reasoning. However, I am pretty sure the “auto” setting on the LS means the pulse-width is equal to half of the joules. Example: 30J on auto = 15MS
I think I am going to get the test spot done with the GL @ 14 & 16 / 18MM. I don’t understand why some techs shun test spots ?
Quick question: When I get the test spot what is a good estimate (time-wise) that will allow me to SAFELY assume my skin won’t be damaged ? Hours / Days ?
I’ve been treated with the Gentlase and Lightsheer. The gentlase was very good to my skin and I never had any skin issues with it. No burning, red marks, etc etc.
The Lightsheer is a total nightmare. I’ve always had red marks, burns, scabs…
Maybe its the cooling effect of the Gentlase that treats the skin better. Or maybe it just has to do with the fact that one machine is a diode, the other is an alexandrite. I’ve actually always wondered about that.