First LHR session this week

Hair Removal Methods Laser hair removal
#1

Hi

So after months of researching on this site and checking out clinics in my area, I finally booked an appointment. I decided I should find an alexandrite laser because I am very pale (type 1 I think) and have black coarse body hair. I found a group deal for a place with the Candela Gentle Lase Plus, so I’ve book my first session for my underarms. I had a consultation and everything seems good except for 2 things that confused me. One is that the technician said I would go in every 4 weeks, which seems way too frequent. The recommended wait length for underarms is usually 8-12 weeks right? Why would she recommend such a short time, and what would be the problem with going in that soon, assuming that I have new hair growth? The other odd thing is that she thinks I will probably be good after 4 sessions, which seems unlikely. I’m also trying to decide if I should use an emla cream. Are there any risks to using it? She said I wouldn’t need it, but the consensus on this site seems to be that its usually pretty painful.

Thanks!

#2

4 weeks = too early.

Yup. Instead of following a set schedule, wait until the next cycle of hair grows in. When you have enough to warrant it, go in for another treatment.

Well, perhaps you should ask her. Maybe she’s inexperienced and doesn’t know better.

There is no problem, per se, except that you’d be wasting your money. If treated correctly, there shouldn’t be anything to lase at four weeks. Alopecia (shedding) only begins 7-10 days following treatment. If there is hair at 3-4 weeks, it means it was missed and you should have this touched-up.

Underarms respond well, so you should see a decent reduction after four treatments. No one can predict how many treatments you will need. You might need only 2, you might need 8. That all depends on how your body responds and how much reduction you are seeking.

That’s up to you. If you opt for it, it must be applied at least 45 minutes before treatment to have any effect.

Most adverse reactions to EMLA and other topical anaesthetics relate to the administration technique (eg, the amount applied, the area covered) rather than allergies. Too much systemic exposure can cause effects such as hypotension, respiratory depression, cardiac arrest, and even death. Others may have differing opinions, but as a medical professional I feel that LHR clinics that use topical numbing creams should at least have a physician on staff in case adverse events, though rare, should occur. In some jurisdictions this is required by law.

Everyone is different, but in my experience icing the area prior to laser can really help with pain. Keep in mind that underarms are a small area, so treatment will be quick. Also, taking Tylenol or ibuprofen an hour or so beforehand might help.

By the way, all of these issues are discussed in the FAQ so do read that.

Good luck! Do update us on your progress.

#3

What area are you treating? What settings are they planning to use (ask for joules and spot size)?

If settings are low and you don’t see full shedding within 3 weeks after your treatment, you could get treated at 4 weeks basically on the same hair. So it’s possible, but it’s not in your best interests to end up in this situation.

We generally recommend finding a clinic that uses good settings. Once you do, you can ignore their recommendations of timing and just make appts when you see enough hair back, which will be in 8-12 weeks. You don’t need to argue with them over this - some are just following protocol set by someone else at the clinic.

However, if they’re going to use low settings, you should be concerned. The most important thing is to find a clinic that will use aggressive settings if you want permanent results.

If you get a properly compunded EMLA cream and use it accordingin to instructions, there is not risk really. All cases of issues were with improperly compounded creams.

#4

Thanks for the replies.

I’m getting my underarms done. I will find out about the joules and spot size. What would be the ideal settings for a gentle lase on very pale skin? From a search on the forums I saw a few people say 18 mm spot, 20 joules, but I don’t know if that would be too high for me.

#5

20J is the maximum fluence for 18mm on GentleLase. From there, the fluence can be decreased at 2J intervals.

Since nobody here has physically examined you, we can’t recommend a specific fluence online. The highest settings you can handle the better. Below 14-16J at 18mm isn’t recommended.

#6

On GentleLASE, 20J is max on the 18mm spot size. 30J is max on 15mm. You want to be as close to the max as possible without burning your skin. We generally don’t recommend anything lower than 14-16J on 18mm. If you can’t handle that, you need another type of laser.