Don't know how to make my decision

Hair Removal Methods Laser hair removal
1

I don’t know how to decide which laser hair removal machine is better for me.
I am an Asian man with skin type IV and I am going to remove my beard hair (upper, lower lip and chin), actually want to make it thinner. I did a research on the laser hair removal machine in my city’s well-known centre.

Alexandrite
GentleLAS
Nd:YAG
Medlite C6
1064nm
http://www.conbio.com/html/medlite.html
GentleYAG
VSP-XP
CoolGlide Vantage
Diode
LightsheerThis one is widely advertised recently in my city, they claim it is the only laser machine approved by FDA to remove hair permanently with more safety.
800nm
http://www.aesthetic.lumenis.com/wt/page/lightsheer

I noticed from HairFact that Alexandrite laser have better average efficiency
it seem GentleLAS is a really good one. How about CoolGlide Vantage and Lightsheer please? They are well-known too.
And could anyone please give me some advice me on choosing a right machine?
THANKS and this forum is very very helpful.

2

You are wise to ask all the right questions. Pigmented skin must be treated with great respect. The Candela GLase (alexandrite) in the hands of nurses experienced with asian skin should be safe. I would personally avoid Lightsheer. If you skin is on the darker end of type 4 maybe a long pulsed yag laser like a Gemini. But whatever you do, don’t go near an IPL!

3

Question ag…i am confused with it…

http://www.hairtell.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/35257/page/1
The types of lasers used for permanent hair reduction include ruby (old machines, not recommended), alexandrite (for very light skin type I-III), diode (for types I-IV), Nd:YAG (type IV and darker).

This one even recommend skin type I only.

http://www.hairlaserremoval.co.uk/laser-hair-removal-machine-alexandrite.htm
Not recommend using Alexandrite lasers to removal hair in any skin type other than very white skin.

is it mean alexandrite is not suitable for type IV skin?
but here

http://www.drhealthbeauty.com/htm/eng/lt_hairremoval.html
The GentleLASE is almost the gold standard these days, and can be used on skin types I to IV.

WHY? Isn’t GentleLASE belonging to alexandrite??

http://www.hairfacts.com/medpubs/alexmed.html
http://www.clinic2.co.uk/documents/Alex-laser-safety-for-skin-types-IV-VI-Garcia.pdf
In 150 dark-skinned patients (skin type IV-VI) treated with alexandrite side effects occurred in about 2% of cases.

http://www.candelalaser.com/products/index.cfm?task=gentlelase
Permanent hair reduction on all skin types

Who’s right and who’s wrong please???(My hair is really black)I REALLY DON"T WANT TO GET BURNED!!!

4

The GentleLASE (alexandrite), GentleYAG (Nd:YAG), and GentleMax (combo of alexandrite/Nd:YAG) are considered to be the better lasers.

It is possible to use an alexandrite on a type IV, but the settings would need to be lowered. If your beard is dense and coarse, an Nd:YAG is probably going to be the better option.

Do you have the option of going to a practice with multiple lasers and having them decide which laser is safer and effective for your skin?

5

Alexandrite is better but with skin type IV is more likely that they will be using low settings not to damage your skin. And on that area (dense hair, and in your case dark skin) its really dangerous. This area is prone to patchiness! Think twice before doing it. Its not only the laser. You should also find someone who has many years experience with male beards (and many happy customers :slight_smile: to get good results.

6

Why did you say avoiding Lightsheer?? What’s wrong with this diode laser machine?

7

Do you have the option of going to a practice with multiple lasers and having them decide which laser is safer and effective for your skin?

I don’t know. There have only one ore two type of laser machine in every clinic normally. One of them have both GentleLAS and GentleYAG.
But Hong Kong men seek laser hair removal rarely. I am worrying they haven’t much experience in men beard hair removal.