How to convince tech to give more J?

Hair Removal Methods Laser hair removal
#1

Hello!

Today was my first treatment with GentleLASE in Mexico. Yesterday I had an appointment with the dermatologist, who took my full history, examined the hair under a magnifying glass and told me what I already knew: that dark blonde on type II skin might be a long shot, but we could test for a few sessions. (I did have a couple of laser treatments about 8 years ago and it did help)

So today I came in for underarms and bikini. For $42 both it was worth a shot. I asked the tech about the machine settings and she was going to use 12j/18mm, to which I completely refused and asked her to call the derm because I wanted 20j/18mm… She had a phone conversation with the doctor and she only agreed to go up to 14J this time. While making small talk with the tech, she told me 16J is the highest they’ve ever used the GentleLASE, but that she uses a higher intensity with GentleYAG (which I know might not be for me, being a type II)

The session went smoothly and I almost didn’t feel a thing (took some paracetamol an hour beforehand). At the end, the tech did say she was impressed and that maybe I could get a higher setting, but that I must ask the derm. My plan is to go back on Friday so the doctor can see my skin is fine and ask 18 or 20J… I understand they wanting to use a conservative setting on a new patient, but was 14J too low? Is there any documentation or studies I can bring with me to show that 20J is ok for a type II? I think most of their patients are type III or higher and that’s why they are stuck with the “16J is max” belief.

Thanks so much for your help!

#2

  1. Yes, below 14J on this machine at the 18mm spot size is not recommended. We can’t tell you if 14J was too low for you; time and your results (or lack thereof) will be the ultimate arbiter. Many have been treated at this setting on this machine and received good results.

  2. That said, the goal with these treatments is to get treated at the highest settings possible that your skin can handle. So yes, if you can handle higher fluences, then definitely get treated with them.

  3. Your best strategy is to ask your technician to do a test spot at the higher settings. If your skin can handle it, you should be good to go,

  4. While some places get nervous about using higher fluences, your location probably has a lot to do with why they never go above 16J – not too many type Is and IIs around.

  5. Nd:YAG fluences are always higher than alex, so that’s misleading on her part.

Good luck. Since your hair is lighter, results are definitely less assured. If any machine were to benefit you, GentleLASE would be your best bet.

#3

14J on 18mm should still get you results. That’s the absolutely minimum we recommend on 18mm. 16J+ would be better, but this should still do the trick if your hair is dark enough in the first place. I wouldn’t go back on Friday. I would wait 3 weeks and see what sheds. No point of doing this Friday just yet as you can’t tell what was affected. If more than 10% doesn’t shed by 3 weeks time, then ask for a touchup at higher settings.

#4

Oh, my bad! I didn’t mean going back on Friday for a treatment, rather to see the dermatologist. I wanted to see her soon so she sees for herself how my skin wasn’t red or swollen or anything after the treatment and convince her to write an ok on my file… Then go back when I get new growth (8-10 weeks?) and negotiate again, ask for a higher setting test or something.

Since my hair is dark blonde and laser might not work, I’m afraid that the lower settings will just be a waste of money and even worse, ruin my possibilities of having any actual progress.

#5

So happy! I got the derm on the phone today and she already got the notes from the tech. She said next session would be 16J with a test for 18 and see which one works better on me.

#6

Great!

#7

See if anything sheds in 3 weeks from this treatment. May not be worth another treatment if it doesn’t shed now if the hair is not dark enough.