Energist VPL

Hair Removal Methods Laser hair removal
1

Hey guys and girls,

Before I start I guess i should tell you a bit about myself. I’m a 22 year old male in New Zealand. My parents are of Indian and Middle Eastern descent, with a bit (1/16th) Caucasian thrown in there. My skin is not fair, but it’s not dark either, average brown I spose, I guess I could get a pic up if it would help. My mothers side of the family is quite literally hairless, incl the guys, all my uncles etc. My dads side are average I guess, but somehow, my dad pretty much ended up a walking talking ape lol.

Onto me, I guess in terms of hairyness, I was average till about 19. Then it all started going wrong. Long story short, i’ve now got a hairy back and very hairy buttocks. In the last year or so, the back hair has gotten worse, and spread to my shoulders/upper arms. I was able to wear singlets last summer without feeling self-conscious, not anymore. My back is only hairy on certain areas, there is no corse hair down my spinal area, but a symmetrical amount of hair to either side. Also my lower back is quite hairy (i’m guessing this is spreading up from my buttocks). I know it’s gonna progressively get worse, and if my dad is anything to go by, i’ll probably have a fur coat effect on my back in 10 years or so. But I figure for now, I may as well rid myself of whats currently there.

I’ve gotten to the point where i’ve finally decided to do something about it, as its affecting my social life, relationships etc, and i’d like to be able to take my shirt off at the beach next summer (our summer starts early next year, so that may be a bit optimistic?).

Anyway, i’ve been researching laser, and it seems most places in NZ use IPL. From what i’ve read on these forums, this is less effective than true laser? Our biggest and longest established laser hair clinic (Caci Clinic, 24 nationwide branches) have switched from traditional laser, to the Energist VPL system. From what i’ve read, it sounds pretty reliable (but I guess that’s what they want you to think huh?). They even offer a 2 year guarantee, but only to their female customers, which is kinda off-putting…

“Guarantee does not apply to male customers due to the resilient nature of male body hair. Some underlying medical conditions may adversely affect the opportunity of long term results (refer to the Laser Hair Removal Information sheet in clinic).”

Anyway, i’ve checked out a bunch of different places, and the Energist VPL seems to be the laser of choice at most clinics. Basically i’m wondering if anyone knows how effective this is, and what I can expect from treatment? I’ve found a clinic near me that has some pretty good prices and sounds like it could be worth a look, what do you guys/gals think?
http://www.terranovaclinic.co.nz/index.html

I have also found a place that offers Coolglide and long-pulse 1064nm Nd:YAG laser, but the prices are twice as high as the previous one I mentioned - http://www.exquisitelaser.co.nz (i’m just listing the websites for my own reference later, hope thats ok)

And another place offers Coolglide, at good prices, performed by a trained and registered laser operator, it says on the website “no patch test necessary, treatment can start immediately”, which i’m a bit iffy about… - http://www.pcmc.co.nz/Laser_Hair_Removal.html

And there is a clinic that offers GentleLase and GentleYag, but their prices are quite rediculous, however, if it’s gonna get me the results I want, I guess it’s worth it - http://www.avana.co.nz/hair-removal/default.asp

At the moment i’m just wanting to get my back/shoulders and buttocks treated (actually, can only get one shoulder done, as I have a tattoo on the other… guess i’ll be waxing that one for the rest of my life lol). Later on in life i’ll be looking at getting my chest done as I want more tattoos (shaving over a chest tattoo… not a good look!), and also want to get my abdominals done as it would look odd if I had a hairless upper body, with the exception of a hairy gut!

Anyway I guess i’ve written enough, basically i’m looking for a some advice, as this whole thing is pretty confusing!

Thanks!

2

  • Please read our FAQs at the link below if you haven’t already

  • Can you post pictures of the areas you want to treat. It’d be helpful to see if all the hair you want to treat is coarse enough

  • You can get electrolysis on the part that has a tattoo

  • IPLs are not good for hair removal. I wouldn’t go with any of them. And yes, of course all the marketing stuff you’ll read by a clinic that uses one will be positive. They need to make money.

  • For your skin type, it’s possible that you may need a Yag.

  • Many clinics don’t offer test spots unless you ask. Don’t be put off by that. You’ll need to judge most of these by your consultation with the actual person who will be treating.

  • Prices are not usually set in stone. Many clinics will meet or beat competitor prices if you ask.

3

Is it true that VPL is more effective and can last longer than IPL? THat’s what my technician told me, and she said you only need 6-7 times and can get a permanent effect. Is VPL sorta in between those Apogee/gentlelase laser and IPL?

Thanks!

4

IPLs claim 6 treatments are needed too. It’s all marketing. VPLs only have slight differences form IPLs, but are basically the same thing when it comes down to the effectiveness in killing hair. It doesn’t compare to an alexandrite type of laser like GentleLASE or Apogee at all. They’re in a different league.

Try to sift through the marketing/sales speak. Everyone who only owns one type of machine is gonna push that what they have is best. They are in the business of making money.

5

It’s kinda like Syneron and their Elos, they claim there is an IPL and there Elos, which is better than IPL. Truth is, it’s all marketing, here in Canada there are so many places with Elos that it’s shocking just to think about all the unhappy customers out there.

If true lasers take about 6 treatments to see results, you will maybe need 14 or more with an IPL, that is assuming it actually kills hair and not slowing it down like happens a lot.

In the long run, using true laser is cheaper if you ask me.