When I had my first session on back and shoulders the setting were at 18mm spot size and 20joules. Should I turn this up? I felt little pain as I have a high tolerance and didnt burn at all. My skin reacted completely fine. Is it better if I get them to reduce spot size and turn up joules or keep same spot size? Whats the best way to get the strongest results from the laser now that i know my skin can handle it. Im a type 3 btw.
I would think your practitioner would have to decide this since they can see you. Isn’t 20 joules the highest power on an alexandrite? Choice, what do you think?
20j is the highest on an 18mm spot size. Only your practitioner should decide if and when to lower the spot in order to increase the joules. If the hair is coarse, then it is deep as well, and needs the 18mm spot size.
If you felt very little, it may be that the hair is not dark enough or coarse enough for laser to be effective. Did you have redness and swelling around each follicle? If the treatment was 3+ weeks ago, how was the shedding?
the session was 7 and a half weeks ago. im going in again in a few days. I shed pretty well actualy alot were pepper spots that i just squeezed out however. a lot of hair has grown back but its only been my first treatment. I was hair free till week 6. Does this seem like its working or would i be a non responder?
The hair hasnt really gotten lighter just thinner, will it go lighter after a few more sessions? how can i tell if im a non responder or if laser wont work for me?
oh and yes i had lots of redness and swelling around the follicles but it went away after a couple days.
Some pros here are recommending smaller spot size and higher jules for thinner hair while for a tick hair largest spot size is needed to penetrate deep enough.
However some (sslhr)are saying that larger spot size is better for both thin and tick hair.
BUT
ARE ALL THE HAIRS U ARE TREATING DARK AND COARSE? u should not treat spars and thin hairs on that area.
Shedding and hair free period are good signs. Only time will tell if u are really getting permanent hair reduction.
I would wait a bit longer. Usually hair seems thinner when it starts to grow but eventually it grows stronger and ticker. That was in my case.
good luck