Yeh, I have noticed a lot of Groupon advertisements for hair removal are for Q-switched YAGs.
So…is that what was used? I was clearly told it was a coolglide but what to believe. I know they advertised a q switch. Thought that was generic name like hairstraightners then you get different models/brands. Hmmmm confused and I asked directly about model.
It did hurt and stung with sensation of pinprick heat. I jumped!
There was redness a few hours ago but has gone. Is that not a good sign. I know the settings were low. Technician said that she would raise the setting based on my skin reaction. It’s only £133 but I want results!!!
Settings joules 33 pulse 20 speed 2.0
I think it was probably a coolglide that they mis-advertised.
Redness for a few hours is good. Some amount of raised follicles usually suggests a nice aggressive treatment.
Low settings might make the hair finer but not eliminate it completely. Then you will not be able to have further Laser and will need to go to electrolysis.
But perhaps not so bad. Get all the removal/thinning you can with £133 and then go on to electrolysis.
I spent about £360 on my underarms with Laser and still needed to switch to electrolysis to finish up.
Q-switched lasers are meant for other applications like tattoo removal and not LHR.
If you were treated with Coolguide, then you were treated with a laser appropriate for LHR.
I’m assuming you meant 20 milliseconds?
The fluence seems somewhat low and the pulse width too long. As a general rule, fluence needs to be comparatively higher with Nd:Yag treatments because of poorer wavelength absorption. This is further compounded by the relatively small spot size of the Coolguide.
If you can handle it without burning, you should probably get treated at higher settings. However, a good technician should always evaluate your specific needs.
I notice a lot of mistakes in advertisements and Groupons. It just shows you that half the people at those clinics don’t know what they’re talking about. I bet it was a mistake. Coolglide is a Yag and you’re fine. They probably use another Q-switched laser for other treatments and threw that in there by mistake.
For an almost type V, 35-38J on 10mm 20ms Coolglide Yag seems ok to me to start. Of course, they can test higher and see how the skin handles it too.
Hi LAgirl. I think it was a mistake too. The technician (who was so friendly and helpful) spoke about the other treatments she does … veins, skin treatments and tatoo removal so they have other attachments I guess.
She stated that I was a skin type IV and on my body some areas were borderline III/IV. I am not too sure about that! Anyway she said that she would go up to 36J next time with 15 pulse. I would like to suggest that she goes to 40 J to ensure its effective.
Oh and I’m desperate to see shedding lol. Patience is a virtue.
Thanks for everyone’s comments.
issy
If the technician is going down to 15 ms pulse width, then 36J is a decent setting for Coolglide.
Do you have a photo? It can be sometimes hard to tell online, but it might give a better idea.
Alopecia (shedding) usually begins a week to 10 days after treatment.
Another couple thoughts:
-Your Fitzpatrick skin type should be the same for your whole body. Have you had recent sun exposure? I’m assuming the areas she said you were borderline III/VI are covered most of the time.
-You might be a possible candidate for a diode laser.
JMISR, I’m curious. Do you operate a clinic? If so, you should add your location to your profile. I’m sure forum users near you would be glad to use someone knowledgeable.
JMISR- thanks I feel reassured that the technician has a good idea of an effective treatment plan.
My skin tone is more heavily pigmented on my arms. My trunk and legs are inavriably covered so they are less pigmented. I believe that a picture would not be helpful as the monitor, camera flash/sunlight, etc may got give accurate representation. Actually I will take one of my leg as I am considering laser there and wonder if the hair is coarse enough and dense enough.
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I am a IV.
I agree LAgirl. JMISR is very knowledgeable, as are you.
LAgirl - Thanks for the comment! I’ll update my location. I am actually only involved on the research end and clinical trials. (I’m sure I could probably have a better income if I had my own clinic 
). I’ve also had many treatments myself. By the way, I’ve been reading many threads and the advice you give is consistently accurate and spot on with what I’ve observed.
Glad we can help!
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Of course I am aware that lighting and picture quality may not give an accurate representation of your skin color. By the way, that’s one of the criticisms of the Fitzpatrick scale, as it can be rather subjective. In any case, your skin color is not the only predictor of your Fitzpatrick type; how you respond to sunlight (ie, tan or burn) is equally important, and I feel many tend to overlook this. Also, keep in mind that the color of your skin can also be affected by the amount of hemoglobin.
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In your original post I believe you stated you were a type V. Then later type IV, then perhaps III/VI. These are HUGE differences, and the advice I’d give to a type V is completely different from what I’d tell a type III. A picture would really help resolve this.
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Remind me, what areas are you getting lased? You won’t be able to treat your arms if you have sun-induced pigment development there. (You could, but they would have to lower the fluence = poor results).
What this all means is that it’s really best to get sample spot treatments at different settings to see what you can handle. Too often, clinics will under treat which leads to poor results.
I have posted a pic in my previous post JMISR - an edit.
I’m not sure if I meant to say I was a 5. Always believed I was a four but the technician queried that. I tan wonderful well and very fast and I do not burn. Am very curious about sure your haemoglobin comment.
I am having my underarms, toes and upper arms treated.
Hard to say, given the lighting and that you’ve had some sun exposure there. I’d say III-VI range. You could probably get treated with a diode. Do they offer this at your clinic? It might be worthwhile to see what settings you could handle.
Question: What area are you getting treated? If you plan on getting your legs done with the Nd:Yag, the hair may be too fine.
Perhaps others with more experience with legs know better.
Underarms should get good results with good settings.
I am assuming you are female? I would caution you to avoid treating the upper arms unless you have really have thick, dark hair there. It’s not too common to see that kind of hair in females in that area. To add some perspective, I am male, type III, was treated with an alexandrite (GentleLase 18 mm, 20J) and had some induced growth there.
Toes might be ok. It’s such a small area, so if you want the hair gone for good then electrolysis might be a great option to consider.
JMISR could you expand on the blood comment re Fitzpatrick scale. And are you saying my legs are in the 3-6 range? That’s very wide and I don’t believe I’m a VI. It’s very confusing.
I do feel that my hair on my legs are fine. Not sure if the clinic has other lasers.
Am not treating my legs that’s the next stage. I’m treating upper part of Lower arms underarms and toes.
Oops, I meant III-IV. Silly Roman numerals.
Lol I should have realised.
So does that mean I could use a diode which is more effective on finer hair?
Oh and yes I am a woman.
Lower legs usually get good results. Your legs loook like you should get a decent reduction. I’d be more concerned with upper arms, which are almost never coarse enough for laser in either men or women.
Skin types are approximate. Ethnicity also can result in underlying pigment even if the skin seems light without a tan.
Judging by that photo, you’re a solid IV if not darker. But computer screens are vary.
JMISR - it would be great to have your success story if your treatments worked out. We have a sticky thread for that.