Help with laser setting

Hair Removal Methods Laser hair removal
#41

Re haemoglobin: the main pigments that contribute to skin color are hemoglobin and melanin. Although the former is a red chromophore, and although the human eye can certainly distinguish between red and brown (melanin), it can be impossible to tell the relative contribution of each when they overlay one another. That can make assigning a Fitzpatrick scale dicey sometimes.

It just means that the Fitzpatrick scale is only a relative predictor and not a clear-cut science. As such, different folks may respond differently to various settings and lasers in LHR. The best way to figure out what your skin can handle is to get sample spot treatments. An experienced technician will know where to start.

#42

LAgirl thank you for taking a look. I am actually doing the upper part of my lower arms. The palm facing side as minimal hair, very fine and sparse same as upper arms so leaving well alone.

YEAH to a good reduction outcome for my legs. So a YAG will work?

#43

LA is right, you could have underlying pigment.

You should probably get good results in the underarms. Diode would be more beneficial provided your skin can handle good settings. Nd:Yag is probably your best option. If knowledgeable and experienced, the technician will know best.

#44

issy, I think you are a IV. From what I can tell from your facial photos and the legs, compared to myself and the pictures I have taken in different lighting, I’d say you’re the same or a little more tan.

I also, like you, tan easily and have never had sun burn.

When I joined these forums I too thought I was a type III-IV. LAgirl was confident I was a IV and this was confirmed by the clinic. They have an Apogee Elite and a Lightsheer diode and I have been treated with a YAG, unlike some other HairTell members who had their test patches with the Lightsheer (and judging by their photos, they are more towards a type III).

YAG worked great on my lower legs in 3.5 treatments (you can see my thread for pics). I had 4 treatments on the front thigh and the results were okay. I didn’t continue as I felt the hairs weren’t responding despite the settings being almost maxed out. It wasn’t a case of the hairs being too fine either.

I also had 5 treatments on the lower 3-quarter arms. I did not have the top quarter arm treated (nor is my sister) because the hair is fine and because of the risk on induced growth. Even my tech advised against treating this area.

I think the spot tests are important. I generally had 3 different settings tested before areas were started. At the end of every session, my tech would again test one or two for the next session if we were pushing them up.
To give an example, on my arm test patch, I bruised at the highest of the 3 tests. It felt like a steam burn for more than 24hrs and was pretty painful, there’s no way I’d want my whole arm like that. After a few sessions (once a good amount of the hair was gone), we tested it again and I reacted fine. We used this for my next treatment and it was all good.

#45

Diodes tend to be hard to use, so I’d personally go with a Yag or a clinic that has a combo alex/Yag machine like Apogee Elite or GentleMAX.

#46

The haemoglobin addition to pigment is something that I observe in my skin - a redness/pinkness in my skin tone. If that makes any sense.

Thank you both. I feel better equipped for selecting my laser treatment for my legs in the future. Your time in this is really appreciated.

Issydoll :slight_smile:

#47

Hiya!

Had a session with M and no skin issues. She was talking about getting a blend machine. Have directed her to hairtell to get guidance with machines on eBay.

Right back to laser. I will re-look at your thread. I know I’m a IV. I will also get spot tests. Would you mind tell me or PM me the clinic that you used if it’s not in the thread, please. I am going back to read it :slight_smile:

Thank you.

#48

That’s great. She was hesitant about the cost when I spoke to her but I told her that you can sometimes find almost new SX-B’s on ebay for about £400-500, sometimes with a whole bunch of accessories. I think that would be a fine epilator for her, as she’d be able to perform both blend and thermolysis. I think she could really do with being able to peform blend for some of those more difficult follicles or thick, deeply rooted hairs.

My clinic was Renew Medica Oxford Circus. Prices are pretty good (although not compared to Groupon deals, lol). I like my tech; my sister and a bunch of my friends and my cousin all use her too - they’ve tried others but have all said she’s better. She’s thorough and she appreciates the knowledge I have and we always have a good chat about stuff.