Eek! What an overwhelming choice!

Hair Removal Methods Laser hair removal
#1

Hello everyone!

Before I barge in here with my numerous queries, I’ll expose my situation in the shortest way possible.

I’m 21, male, skin type III-IV, Mediterranean origin, currently somewhat tanned seeing as summer officially ended today…what else? I’m a poor, poor student who suddenly finds himself being able to finance the hediously over-priced “treatment.” Meaning, I don’t know when the next time I have this much money will be!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" /> So, I’ll “invest” on my youthful beauty NOW, because soon, I will go back to being poor… <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Well, I want the get laser hair-removal on my back and nether regions (not many places willing to do the latter <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> )… anyway, because I’m still relatively young at fabulous 21 (though I shall soon be old and wrinkled) I’m not sure the hair on my back has FULLY developed. I have a handful of dark, coarse hairs scattered around my upper back, and plenty of dense, shorter, much thiner, brown follicles everywhere else, especially on my lower back. First question: Seeing as I have a IV skin type (at the most), and the hair is not all coarse and dark–regardless of which laser I choose–will laser hair-removal be effective if my hair has not fully developed? Should I wait?

I’ve also been doing some home-work, but I’m still painfully confused as to what each laser does. I’ve mostly come across four kinds: Lightsheer, Coolglide, Aurora, and Yag. From what I’ve read so far, I gather that Lightsheer is good for people with draker skin (me), but it apparently has a record of causing scabbing. Coolglide is good for phototypes III-IV (mine). Aurora is good for light-coloured hair (not so good for me). Yag is also good for darker types, but is excruciatingly painful. Second (group of) question(s): which laser is best for me? Are these the best lasers for my skin and hair colour? Are there any other you would recomend? Are these types of lasers, brands, or models? With relation to each laser; are there any side-effects I should worry about?

I like to keep smooth, but also like the liberty to be hairy if I so please. So I’m also considering hair reduction on my legs, abs and chest. Third (group of) question(s): how long do I have to wait after a treatment to shave, and can I do it continuously until my next session? Is waxing after a session an absolute no, no?

Well, that is all for now. When I started the post it seemed like I had a billion questions. I guess I must have forgotten them all… <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Thanks in advance for all your informative replies! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Oh…and if any of you can recomend a good place in Vancouver, I will be eternally grateful! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

#2

gasps for help

Anyone? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

#3

It would be nice if someone tried to contribute a little by helping me figure out some of these doubts. I’m sure a lot of you out there have the knowledge and experience to guide this lost, lost soul… <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

…don’t mean to be pushy, but I’ll bump the thread again.

Thanks! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

#4

I’m 21, male, skin type III-IV, Mediterranean origin,

Well, I want the get laser hair-removal on my back and nether regions

First question: Seeing as I have a IV skin type (at the most), and the hair is not all coarse and dark–regardless of which laser I choose–will laser hair-removal be effective if my hair has not fully developed? Should I wait? At your age, you will more than likely continue to grow new hair on your back. I stress this to all my male back clients under 35-40. Most of them choose to go ahead with treatment knowing they will need one or 2 treatments per year to maintain (after the initial 6-8 treatments).

I’ve also been doing some home-work, but I’m still painfully confused as to what each laser does. I’ve mostly come across four kinds: Lightsheer, Coolglide, Aurora, and Yag. From what I’ve read so far, I gather that Lightsheer is good for people with draker skin (me), but it apparently has a record of causing scabbing. Coolglide is good for phototypes III-IV (mine). Aurora is good for light-coloured hair (not so good for me). Yag is also good for darker types, but is excruciatingly painful. Second (group of) question(s): which laser is best for me? Are these the best lasers for my skin and hair colour? Are there any other you would recomend? Are these types of lasers, brands, or models? With relation to each laser; are there any side-effects I should worry about? Diodes (LightSheer) and alexandrite lasers are safest on types I-III, but in the right hands, safe on IV. Long pulse Nd:YAG (CoolGlide) is safe for all skin types, most effective on IV-VI, and more painful on I-III. Steer clear from Aurora. The right laser is important, but more important is the skill of the laser operator. If you can find someone well trained with an LP Nd:YAG AND either a diode or alexandrite, you will get your best results.

Third (group of) question(s): how long do I have to wait after a treatment to shave, and can I do it continuously until my next session? Shedding occurs faster if you don’t shave. But if you must, you can shave at anytime as long as the skin is not irritated. Is waxing after a session an absolute no, no? Yes, yes. You will be wasting your money if you wax. The hairs need to become synchronized, and waxing will interfere with the growth stages.