I am a 28 year old male with skin type II and thick course dark hair on my chest and abdomen sparse course hair on my shoulders and a part of my back. I have already had 5 treatments (ending in late 2004 and costing a total of $3,750) with a Laserscope laser ( I believe it was a Yag) on my chest abdoment and shoulders. I went to this particular clinic because it was a friend of mine’s step Dad and I felt more confident that I would be treated successfully. These treatments were not successful at all, and my friend’s step dad no longer runs the laser dept at this particular plastic surgery center. I have since contacted the clinic as I am now living within a reasonable distance of it (I had previously relocated further away for my job), and they offered to treat me for free with their new laser, a Cutera Coolglide laser. I believe this is also a Yag laser as they claim it treats all skin types. This clinic would be a three hour trip each way from my current location, and I am just not sure its worth wasting my time and gas money on another group of Yag laser treatments. I have talked to a Dermatologist who works at a hospital very close to my house, and he told me that he could treat me with either an IPL or Alexandrite laser. I told him about my previous treatments and the money I had spent, and he stated that he would not charge me unless it was at least somewhat successful. I guess I am trying to determine if I am just wasting my time with laser, or is the Alex laser the option I should have sought out from the get go. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!
Don’t treat your shoulders with any laser. It’s probably not going to work and might stimulate more growth on that area. Leave any areas with sparse hair for electrolysis.
Chest and abdomen get good results with your type of hair. Coolglide would be fine to the first 4-5 treatments, until the hair gets finer. After that you can switch to an alex. I would take the free treatments only if the person performing them has at least 2-3 yrs of experience on that particular machine. The machine is good, but it’s the experience that will make the difference because they have to know how to set the settings to get you results.
I opted to just write off the clinic that initially treated me with the laserscope yag. My new dermatologist did a test spot on me with his IPL, and four weeks later the sport (about 4 inch square in the waistline area of my frontside) is virtually clear. There are some blonde hairs appearing in this area, but the dark hairs that were there all shed, and its quite obvious where the treated area is. Should I be excited, or is it still too early to think this might be the solution to my problem?
Still too early to make an “I am satisfied” statement at 4 weeks. Hair growth cycles in this area (or any area) are longer than 4 weeks. Keep crossing your fingers though.
How long would I need to wait to determine that the hair is permanently damaged?
Also thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. This is something I have been wanting to get taken care of for years, but I am just leery as to it being possible at this point. It doesn’t seem like hair removal should be that tough with all the technology available today…
if it wasn’t affected, it would come back very early, probably at 4-6 weeks. if it was, you’ll see the next phase of growth around 8-12 weeks depending on the area. However, true permanency is hard to judge until you’ve had at least 4 good treatmentswith shedding and then wait at least 4-6 months.
I remember that when I was treated with the laserscope the hair came back within a week, so that laser must be junk like you said lagirl. Although I do remember shedding occuring, but for some reason the hair grew back right away? I am keeping my fingers crossed that this laser is effective for me. Thanks again!!!
You can’t tell after a week. That’s when it looks like it’s growing, but then sheds. I’m talking about the period 4-5 weeks after the treatment, i.e. after shedding occured. If there is no hairfree period at all, then I would be suspicious.
I have had two test spots with an IPL laser on my lower abdomen area, and had 8 weeks of hair free period, but then after the 8 weeks the hair came back just as it had been. My Dermatolist here in Kansas City recommended I visit Dr. Mark McCunne in Overland Park, KS as he has several lasers and is very good. I had a consult with Dr. McCunne and one of his nurses and explained my history with unsuccessful lasers. Dr McCunne has a Gemini Laserscope laser (probably like the ones used to treat me unsuccessfully in the past, and also a Sciton Profile laser. He normally charges $175 for test spots (appyling this towards your package if it works out), but he told me he would give me a test spot with both lasers for free. I have researched the Sciton laser, and haven’t really seen much on it out there. Can anyone tell me if this is a good laser for me (skin type 2 with dark coarse hair)? I do not want to waste any more time and money on painful treatments with no results…
The Yag Sciton and Gemini Laserscope are not considered to be the best lasers for darker skin types from all the readings I have seen here. You don’t have darker skin, so you don’t need a yag. Use the search function and study Lagirl’s posts about these lasers. The Candela GentleLase for lighter skin types with coarse, dark hair are the best followed by the GentleYag for darker skin types.
Sounds like you would see better results from a GentleLase if you are a type II skin and have dark, coarse hair. Test spot $175? Hmmmm.
Sciton is a YAG laser. It’s not the best option for a skin type II. You need an alexandrite laser like GentleLASE and Apogee. You can find listings for clinics in your area that use GentleLASE simply by going to the Candela Corporation website and running a provider search using your zip code and indicating this specific laser.
I did what you said Lagirl, and I actually found a place with a gentleLASE that is walking distance from my house in KC. Its called Ideal Image. I did some searches on them, and cannot find a lot of information other than that they seem to be kind of pricey. Does anyone know anything about this company, or know anyone who has been treated by them. Apparently they have locations across the country.
I appreciate all of the help and knowledge that everyone has shared with me!!!
It’s a chain. They have good machines. They are often pricey, but you still need to judge each clinic individually. Your results will primarily depend on the person who’s treating you and their experience. In general, this chain gets good feedback. And we’ve had someone recently who was able to have them match the price of other clinics where he got a quote. It pays to visit several clinics near you. Don’t go with the first one. Go to a couple, get a few quotes, compare things, and then decide.
I’m assuming your talking about me, I was able to get them to match a competitors price here in Dallas. Get quotes and give them a chance to be competitive.
By the way … I have had 7 treatments so far (first 5 were 10 weeks apart and the next 2 were 12 weeks apart … I have 2 more to go also 12 weeks a part). I have very little hair growth by my treatment time and on the next treatment I have been instructed not to shave so that they can identify where the remaining hair is located.
What body parts were you having done, and what is your hair color and skin type?
I went in to Ideal Image today. They really attempted to pressure me into buying a package today saying that the special discounted pricing they were giving me was good for the consult session only, and that if I decided to get treated at a later date I would have to pay normal prices. I basically want to have chest, abs, back and shoulders treated, so the guy told me this would come to $9,200, but comes with a lifetime guarantee!!! (sorry for the sarcasm). He told me I would be best off to get the full body package for $10,000 so that if I decided to treat any other area down the road it would be covered. This all seems very expensive to me, especially since I am not sure how long I will be living in KC, and although you can go to any of their clinics across the country, they do not have one in the Chicago area where I am from. I do hate being overly hairy, but $10,000 to hopefully fix this problem seems expensive. I told him I would have to think about it, and he tried and tried, but I finally left. He called me before I got to my car and told me he would “trick” the system into thinking I had to leave the consult early and would reschedule it for next week so I could have some time to think… Haha, boy am I lucky or what!
Oh, I did ask for a test spot, and he said there is no need for that cause they have never had anyone who’s treatments were not successful???
I’m having my back and a Brazilian done. My skin is a type 2. No test spot? I don’t like the way that sounds at all? I think I would insist on one. (My Ideal Image gave me a test spot without any qualms at all.)
Now that you have some prices from Ideal Image (mine were very high too), get some competitive prices and if you want Ideal Image to do the work give them a chance to counter. I’ll let you all know how that guarantee works in 6 months or so after I have had all my treatments and possibly need a touch-up.
It sounds like they are trying to sell you a used car. The best thing you can do for yourself is to check out at least 3 other clinics. Compare everything. You don’t need to pay that much. Those prices are high. Shop around and see what other clinics in your area offer. There are tips on how to find clinics and what to look for in the FAQs and in the sticky post on this forum indicating what to ask at each clinic. My advice would be to run from anywhere where they’re trying to pressure you. You should try to find an honest place that cares about your results at least AS much as they care about the money.