How Do I Know If Laser Hair Removal Is Working??

Hair Removal Methods Laser hair removal
#1

I’m being told two different things by two different clinics. I’m basically trying to pick a clinic to continue my treatment. Depending on what the people on this board advise will influence my decision.

I’ve have been getting treatments for many years now and have spent somewhere around $20k between two different clinics. I still have an awkward amount of growth on my chest, back, shoulders, and upper arms. Every time I get treatment at Clinic A the hair does fall out and stay away for about 2-3 months, but eventually comes back just as bad (or it seems to be just as bad).

What you need to know about me

  • Started laser hair removal when I was young. Currently 28.
  • Around a Type II-III skin

Clinic A

  • Has been my clinic for the last 4 years
  • Due to their pricing plan, I can get treatment done pretty cheap. It started as expensive, but as I got reoccurring treatments the price dropped. I would pay $725 to get the areas treated I want treated.
  • Treats me at roughly 10-12J with an 18mm head. Refuses to treat any higher because they say it will not give better results and will only cause more skin discomfort. Says the continued hair growth I have is my genetics; more hair coming out as I get older.

Clinic B

  • I have never had laser treatment here, but have been going to this clinic for electrolysis.
  • Cost would be about $2,000 to get the same areas treated.
  • They treat patients at 20J with a 18mm head.

Both clinics use GentleLASE

So this is basically a question of should I go to Clinic B, that would treat me with a higher setting, given the results I’ve been getting at Clinic A? Or should I continue with Clinic A because I could only expect the same results with Clinic B and it’s just my genetics that are the problem?

#2

Hi Portis,

10-12J on the Gentlelase at 18mm is generally too low to see any permanent results (hence why it keeps coming back as strong). You need at least 14J (16J+ is even better). I feel you’re just wasting your money at Clinic A. 20J on 18mm head is maximum power, so if you can handle it, you would be much better off at Clinic B. Be careful about doing the back, shoulders and upper arms… some men seem to have growth induced by the laser. Genetics might cause you to gain some new hairs overtime, but it shouldn’t cause all the treated hair to grow back. That’s more due to weak settings.

Good luck!

#3

Thanks for the response!

I’m not too worried about induced hair growth as I have already experienced this (I have a post about it on this board about a few weeks back). Hopefully induced growth is kind of a one time thing; if it happens it happens and then you just work on treating the induced growth.

I have had a test shot done with the 20j 18mm at Clinic B and didn’t have any adverse effects other than it was sorer a little longer than if I got treated at Clinic A.

So even if the hair is falling out and stay away for about 2 months, that doesn’t mean the laser is causing permanent reduction? This is what Clinic A is trying to tell me.

#4

That I don’t know the answer to. My guess is a lot of people stop once they see induced growth, and so there’s not much info about how laser affects coarse hair that was induced.

You’re basically taking a great laser and using maximum power settings. If that doesn’t work, laser just won’t work on you.

Yes. It sucks, but that’s how it is. All treated hair should shed, but the question is… did enough energy get to the follicle to permanently damage it? It’s generally accepted that you need at least 14J to have a chance at permanent damage (ideally 16J+). 20J is more than enough to see permanent results.

#5

Thanks again Brenton!

I’m going to go with Clinic A. Good bye savings account!

#6

I guess you mean Clinic B!

Certainly the higher settings will mean the follicles have a greater chance of being damaged… but I am wondering if your hair is coarse enough in the first place. Have you ever evaluated this or displayed photos on here to get a feel if people think it will respond?

As for induced growth, I know that clinics tell you that once you have experienced it, it’s just a matter of further Laser to damage those follicles. However, I honestly don’t know of any reports where further Laser has helped people. There are users on here who continued with Laser for at least a year if not 2 years after experiencing induced growth but they did not see an improvement. Offline, I know a number of women who have experienced this on their faces and further Laser did not rid them of this new hair. I’m not sure why but I know in many cases even the induced hair is not thick enough to respond. In one case, I know the settings were fine because the person went to the clinic and tech I recommended.

If you want to save your money, personally I’d wait for 3 months to see how the test patch responds. You should see some kind of reduction compared to the surrounding area. Or if you do go for treatment… if by 2 properly spaced sessions you are still not seeing a reduction then it may be that Laser is just not suitable for your hair.

#7

how do you know it’s working? You have less hair.

In my humble opinion, you are using the right laser. Depending on skin type. 16j should be your min setting.

Forget 4-6 or 6-8 treatments, it’s 10 to 12 treatments and maintenance from that point on. Once or twice a year.

upper arms shoulders back are known not to take well with laser unless you have very coarse hair, like your chest, face or pubic area. BUT, if you do these areas, it knocks down the spot size of hairs so you don’t notice it as much when you shave the area. Hair grows back much slower after hitting these areas a bunch of times. I bet if you hit them 12 - 20 times you’ll see a noticeable reduction.

One thing I don’t get, you say you shed and they stay clear for 2 or 3 months. It hasn’t been that way for me at all. I take 5 to 6 weeks to shed and then I see regrowth starting. I’m doing full legs and Chest, my 1st 4 treatments will use 16j, then i’ll pump that up to 18j for the rest.

Some crazy pain involved.

Best of luck to all who venture into this hell…

#8

@haireverywhere, I completed a course of 6 treatments to my legs, feet and bikini area just over 2 years ago. I have not needed to get any touch ups and am very happy with the results but I may just be very lucky. You mentioned pain on your legs and chest - give the male beard a try, then you know pain :). It was enough to make me cry.