Help choosing after test patches at 3 London (UK) clinics

Hair Removal Methods Laser hair removal
#1

Hello,

I’ve been reading closely your forum FAQ and related threads for London clinics for the past 10 days or so. They have been very informative as I was equipped with more information when I visited prospective clinics in London.

To cut the story short I’m a Type 2 with dark hair looking to get my lower legs done. I’m doing this because after about 10 years of depilating and waxing I’ve developed a serious case of ingrown hairs which I haven’t been able to deal with by any other means. I’ve figured out from several forum postings and several scientific dermatology articles that I have read that the Alexandrite laser is the best choice for my skin type. I’ve visited 3 clinics so far (details below):

Premier Laser Clinic (Clapham): equipped with a Candela Gentlelase. Advised that I will be treated with a 18mm spot size and 14J (pulse width is fixed at 3ms). I observed a small follicle reddening for a couple of hours. However I have seen in the laser specs that the max fluence intensity for my skin type would be 20J. Forgot to take photo of the area.

Pulse Light Clinic (Folgate Street): equipped with a Cynosure laser. Tested with 18mm spot size, 18J and 30ms/20ms/15ms. My skin dealt fine with all settings. I took a photo of the area tested in the evening.

IMG_5689_zps7830ca16.jpg768×1024

Destination Skin (Liverpool St): equipped with a Lumenis Diode Laser. Spot size is non adjustable, tested with 22J/25J/30J at a pulse width of 30ms. I didn’t feel a thing and told the practitioner this but she said that this was a very high setting. Didn’t take a photo of the area as there was no skin reaction at all.

Overall I didn’t like the fact that all clinics were hard selling packs of 8 laser treatments- assuring me that I will need all of them. As well they all insisted that they have to start on a lower laser setting and build up as the treatment progresses to eliminate all the finer hairs. I did challenge them on this with the fact that if my skin can deal with the higher laser settings at a later date then it can surely also cope with them now. None of the clinics convinced me to actually buy a treatment from them so far. I’m just looking to get a second opinion from the forum in regards to what I was offered. And obviously it would be great if you could recommend extra places to check out.

Thanks for taking the time to read my post.

#2

Pulse Light /2nd clinic seems like a better option because they’re experienced enough to not be afraid to use 18mm/18j on you. Starting with lower settings and progressively increasing them with each appointment is a fine strategy as long as the lowest setting is at least 18mm/14 joules, not lower.
I’m skin type III and I started out with 18mm/16 joules and with each session went up, with max setting 18mm/20 joules.

If you try to convince the clinic to lower their pulse width to 10ms at least after 1st session, your treatment would be optimal 18mm/18j. You’re skin type II so higher settings with lower pulse width should not be feared.

#3

The first one would be good if they go to 16J instead of 14J. The second one would be good if they went down to 10ms.

My settings were 16J/18mm/3ms and that’s work fantastic.

#4

Hey Brenton,

Would you mind telling me if you have a type 2 skin? Also did you also use the Gentlelase Alexandrite?

Thanks in advance!

#5

I’m either 2 or 3. Different places have classified me differently. And yes, I used the gentlelase