Ideal Laser and Laser Strength Settings

Hair Removal Methods Laser hair removal
#1

Hi all,

I am a Caucasian male with slight olive color skin tone to my skin. I have black hair on my body and would like to know what the most ideal laser is for my skin/hair combination for my chest, back, arms, neck, and shoulders.

I would also like to know what are the minimum amount of settings (joules, frequency, spot size, etc) that I should be look for a laser technician to do?

If I have some small blonde hairs intermixed with the dark ones, which laser should I have the place use for these blonde ones?

I’d hate to have laser done on me and the settings aren’t strong enough so that I have to spend more money to do more sessions for the same results I would get if strong settings were used.

What do you all think?

#2

It’s almost impossible to answer your question. My advice is to go to a reputable place and get a consultation that includes a test patch. Make sure to get the laser and settings used. Once you have that info come back here and post it. Then we can give you our opinion.

#3

You can’t treat blonde hair period, regardless of settings. You need electrolysis for that.

As for settings, I’d look into the Alexandrite Gentlelase, with spotsize 18mm. Find a place that can start you at something like 10j, while increasing to 14j.

A lot of it is trial and error, and it’s important to have a conversation with your technician. Let him/her know how your skin reacted last treatment.

If you had no burns at all, then it should be safe to up the settings the next time. The worst that would happen (provided you didn’t go into the sun) would be some minor burns which always fade.

I’ve gotten “burned” like 30+ times from laser, and they all go away. If you’re never getting “burned”, then you’re not getting aggressive enough with the settings.

#4

Ideal laser and settings is based on your skin type and hair type. Caucasian olive skin sounds like skin type III. Post photo with flash and with out flash so we can see skin type and hair density.

An Alexandrite laser with 18mm spot size from Candela: Gentlelase Max or Pro and Apogee Elite MPX are best suited for light skin types. As for settings, minimum settings should be at least 14 Joules in 18mm spot and going up from there with each treatment to at least 18 Joules max on 18mm spot. You would want to be treated with 18 Joules 18mm spot by 3 session already. Again these settings depend on how light your skin is.

In addition, f pain becomes a major factor where you can’t tolerate higher settings, the tech will lower the energies so be prepared to invest in topical numbing cream like EMLA or LMX.

#5

This is probably what you mean, but just to clarify for other people…

You should NOT be getting burnt. There’ll be some redness and maybe a bit of swelling around the follicles, yes, but they should disappear within 24-48 hours.

Anything more than that (eg, blistering, scabbing, discolouration) and the technician has done something wrong.