I have a consultation/spot test with a laser centre next week for a brazillian. What would be the ideal settings for them to use on me using the gentlelase at assuming an 18mm spot size?
I am type 1 with darkish brown hair. I would like to have peoples opinions beforehand so I know what to expect. I would also like to hear about experiences or results from anyone else with the same skin/hair type using the gentlelase for a brazillian.
Thanks 
Can’t recommend individual settings online. Report back to us what they plan to use on you.
GentleLASE is great, but the laser used is only part of the Eqn. Operator experience and having the right characteristics are more important.
You need to ask them what they want to use. They can see you in person. What amchine is being used? Settings depend on the machine. If it’s GentleLASE, then 20J is max on 18mm. You generally want to be as close to the max as your skin can handle safely.
My pale Irish skin was treated with a GentleLase years ago. They started low, probably 14J, and eventually went up to 18J (the max at the time, I believe.)
Joules alone don’t mean much…need the spot size.
Thanks for your responses. I will let you know how I go
Well I had my consultation. The lady was very professional and has used the GentleLASE for many years. She rated me as skin type 1 and did a large patch test (which didn’t hurt). She said she will use aggressive settings (when I asked for them) to get the best results, but she will start low and work it up later. I was only treated with 12j on 18mm spot for the test. I know they probably do it low so they don’t scare you off with the pain, but I told her I wasn’t worried. Hopefully she cranks it right up next time. I have booked a tentative appointment for 2 weeks time. I want to be treated high straight away. Am I just being impatient? She seems to know what she is doing and doesn’t seem the type to drag it out unnecessarily if you know what I mean. Opinions??
Thanks guys
Sounds like you already know the answer, but yes, that test spot was pointless. The whole purpose of test spots is to see what your skin can handle. If you can’t handle 14J @ 18mm on this machine then it’s not really worth it.
Starting off with low settings is a poor strategy. You run the risk of making some hairs finer, instead of killing them off completely. If that happens, those hairs will not respond well to future treatments.
So is 14j effective in actually killing the hair follicle? I don’t see why I couldn’t start at 16 or 18 based on my skin type. Pain is no issue for me and if I have no melanin, then how could it cause burns etc?
We don’t recommend below 14-16J @ 18mm on this machine. 14J is effective, but higher is always better if you can handle it.
Yes, if you’re truly a type I, you should be able to handle 16-20J. Had she given you test spots at 16, 18, and 20J, there would be no ambiguity and you could start your treatment at the most aggressive settings possible.
Thankyou so much for your response. I kinda thought she was testing me at a few levels, as she did quite a large test area and paused occasionally to ask how the pain was. It was pretty much a zero. I couldn’t see the monitor and only asked her what setting it was afterwards. So I was a bit surprised when she said 12j especially after I had said go as high as you like.
I rang to discuss the settings and she said the 12j spot was mainly just a demo to show how laser works etc. She said she never starts anyone at 18 or 20, but will increase it after each treatment as long as there are no bad reactions. I did express my concerns about low settings etc but she told me not to worry as she has been successfully treating people with this laser for over 7yrs. I will trust her judgement as she is the expert, not me.
I had my 1st brazilian treatment at 14j 18mm spot which went well so she said next time it will be 16j. Now I just have to wait 8 weeks to go back…hurry up lol
Sounds good. Let us know how shedding goes!
Shedding went well! Nearly all the hair shed except the random light hairs (which I knew wouldn’t) and two tiny patches. I could get a touch up but I’m not sure if its worth the hassle for the small amount.
If it’s less than 10% and mostly light fine hair, it’s pointless to get a touchup anyway. That’s only necessary if there is a significant amount of dark coarse growth missed.