Info. and Experiences with Laser Hair Removal

Hair Removal Methods Laser hair removal
#41

Hiya again,

Well this is really a little update.

I went for my treatment with Sk:n for fullback, shoulders and upper arms again. Did not go well. Well, in actual fact it didn’t happen at all. The new nurse who is treating me told me none of the Cynosures were free, so she was going to have to use a certain type of Apogee with a maximum spot size of 12.5mm. I bit my tongue and avoided saying “over my dead body”, she saw that I wasn’t happy with the idea of this, she did try to convince me by saying that she would increase the increase in joules but I argued the fact that joules aside, the spot size did play an important part and I knew that i would have difficulty in actually affecting the hairs (the pyramid effect). Also with that smaller spot size I had a feeling that there would be a likely hood she would miss even more patches than she did before.
She offered to reschedule me in 11 days later with a Cynosure, so thats 4 hours travelling for nothing and £20 in train fares.

When I was getting ready to leave I then requested it to be in writing that I wouldn’t loose another treatment because of rescheduling, the girl at the reception just said “yeah” and went back to what she was doing, which drove me up the wall. I then rang later and was put through to her. She said she would email it to me, I asked to speak to the manager and was told that she was in a meeting and I would get a call back later on tonight, I then asked her if she wanted my email address and she just went “yeah, thank you” and put the phone down. Hour and a half later, no call back so again I rung up, asked to speak to the manager and eventually managed to. She was quite blunt, sounded completely uninterested in my opinion and just generally wanted to get me off the phone.
The first thing she said was “So you cancelled your appointment?” I said no I rescheduled it, she asked me why I wanted it rescheduled, what treatment I was having done, what laser was being used. She then asked me “Why couldn’t they treat you on the Cynosure Elite?” as if it was me that booked them all up. Anyway, to cut a long story short, she eventually said "I’ll have a look to see whether we won’t cancel the appointment and if you don’t hear from me in the next 20 minutes you can presume it’s okay. I again said I want it in writing and finally I got it in writing via email.

To sum this up, I managed to retain that treatment and dislike Sk:n even more than I did before. So all there is to do now is to update you on how everything goes later on.

Regards,
Benji

#42

Hello all,

This is just to let everyone know how this is all going. I’ve had my treatment with Sk:n now with the Cynosure, I turned up about 10 minutes early for the treatment to make sure that I allowed enough time and the nurse that is now treating me was there at the desk so it was literally a matter of minutes before we went ahead with the treatment. She seemed quite sweet this time (not that she wasn’t before, but just generally quite interested in what I knew about lasers and so forth), she asked my opinion on the information the difference between Cynosure and the GentleLASE and I just said that I preferred the fact that the pulse was lower and the spot size was larger (pyramid effect, again).
When she was doing the treatment she chatted away with me about stuff, this sounds really stupid but she remembered I was doing A levels and stuff, which sounds minor but it shows that she did have an interest and stuff. The treatment went well, still as painful as usual, we’ve stopped doing the hair on the inside my upper arms now because the majority of the darker hairs have been removed and now it’s much lighter finer hair. The other good thing was, when I asked her if she had seen stimulated hair regrowth due to laser and she was like “yeah I have, which is why I refuse to treat people who have vellus hairs on their face”. Again most people on Hairtell would think ‘yeah’ but it does show she shows an interest in what she’s doing. She also asked me about electrolysis and showed an interest in it, which I found good as well.

Anyway, down to the actual treatment - my skin reaction was a bit more today. Sslhr was correct in saying that the Cynosure only goes down to 5ms, it will go down to 0.4 when using the 1064nm, but with the 755nm it will only go down to 5ms. Little bit more than the GentleLASE but I can manage that. Joules still stayed at 20. I think my skin reacts more to the 15mm spot size more for some reason.
Thinking about it, as I’m writing this now, about 6 or so hours after the treatment, the redness has gone down a lot. An hour or two after my skin looked really bad but now it’s going down to the usual. (I have to admit though, when my friend decided that it would be amusing to demonstrate her own version of a Swedish massage on my back in the pub tonight for a joke, I had to fain muscle pain to avoid further questioning about my screwed up facial expression lol).

Overall I think my treatment went relatively well, now that my redness is going down I think there’s one or two minor little areas (less than a centimetre) that may have been missed, but in general I feel much more confident.
Will let you all know how the shedding goes and regrowth in my next session.

Regards,
Benji

#43

Right, back again with what the skin is like and so on after this last laser treatment. My new nurse seems to have done a much better job as I mentioned before, there are two patches that I feel she has missed, but these are minor ones. I made sure I got the settings this time from her of what I was being treated on, they were:

Model: Cynosure Elite
Wavelength: 755nm
Pulse: 5ms (Turns out it was the maximum it can go and can only go lower when using the YAG, sslhr was right originally about that)
Spot size: 15mm
Joules: 20J

And just to reiterate I was being treated before, by Sk:n, with:

Model: Candella GentleLASE
Wavelength: 755nm
Pulse: 3ms
Spot size: 18mm
Joules: 18J

(I am also being treated now with these settings at Laser-active)

The skin reaction was not as good this time, my hair still feels like prickly, ‘scabbyish’ (I think this is down to a mix of lymphatic fluid and burnt hair) and the follicles were very raised, but they finally went down completely after about 2-3 days (the actual redness itself went down very quickly to begin with but then began to slow) and now all there’s left is faint red dots. I’m going to find out what she treated me on last time the reason being because it didn’t hurt as much and there was not such as skin reaction. I’m thinking that the pulse may not have been 5ms last time, but I’m not sure so I will find out. I’m can’t remember if I have mentioned this in a previous post, but with the Cynosure you have to have a layer of Aloe Vera put over the skin in order to use the laser on it, I asked my new nurse why they had to and she just said it came with the profile of the machine and added that she had tried it without herself and said she found it extremely painful and there was quite a bit of irritation afterwards (that’s just a little side point though and I don‘t really mind particularly).
There hair itself is becoming much light and if the pulse used was higher than 5ms last time, I guess I would be right in thinking that the hair is beginning to stop reacting to anything lower than 5ms because of how much lighter the hair is becoming and the less skin reaction I had before. What I’m going to do, now that I only have on treatment left is finish my treatment with Sk:n and go straight to have a treatment for the remainder of the hair with Gail and ask the GentleLASE to be upper to 20 Joules on the 18mm. Then if the remaining hair cannot warrant another I’ll go straight to finishing this up with electrolysis (although this was my plan all along).

So I’ll just see how the shedding and regrowth goes.

Regards,
Benji

#44

Hey all,

Had my second treatment with Gail at Laser-active, it went well as always. I was treated with the 16 Joules on the 18mm GentleLASE again, it didn’t hurt nearly as much as the Sk:n laser, which I think is down to the size of the spot size and the hydrogen blast (this is my personal opinion though). Booked a touch up session in 2 weeks time to catch any missed spots, I think I’m going to ask Gail if she can increase the joules to 20 for the touch up‘s to see if I can manage it. Will update on how the shedding goes.

Regards,
Benji

#45

Back again,

Right, the shedding went quite well after Gail’s first treatment. There were still some bits which weren’t shifting, so when I went for my touch up I asked Gail if she would be happy to treat me with 20 joules, which she said yes to. OMG it hurt. I have a high pain fresh hold but I had to ask to go down to 18 Joules. The 18 Joules seems to be the best setting for me, it’s painful but not beyond the point where I can’t handle it and the hair reacts very well. It’s a shame really, the 20 joules didn’t burn me or anything (the bean bag effect on my skin came up a bit, but that went down after an hour or two) but pain wise it’s just over that fine line between manageable pain and jumping around on the bed.

Overall, I’m still really satisfied with Laser-active. I’ll post the results of the first session on thinning out the hair on my legs and everywhere else in a week or two (I wanted to wait about 12-16 weeks to make sure that all the hair had grown through and I could get a good idea of the reduction). Just to let you all know, the results are good.

Regards,
Benji

#46

Hey everyone,

I’ve finally passed the first milestone and had my last appointment with skin (6th treatment). So far I’ve had 6 treatments on full back and shoulders and 5 treatments on upper arms. The hair was quite fine before the treatment and very sparse. My skin certainly does not like the Cynosure Elite either, I’m still getting the red scab like marks all over the place after the treatment for about 3-4 days, along with the raised follicles and all that jazz.
The lady that’s been treating me for the last 3 treatments is very good, she’s really sweet and chats away. She’s also very meticulous and makes sure she covers all areas, which made my last treatment more bearable. Although this time I ended up having to shave my back as my trimmers broke (No. 0 clippers, so pretty much shaving) before the treatment, which made it a lot, lot more painful. The lady that treats me said that when she treats herself she has to shave the area the day before otherwise it’s to painful. Although we both agreed that this never happened with the GentleLASE, but oh well.

I’m kind of relieved now that I managed to finish the treatments, although I lost one because of having to cancel within 48 hours. I did, however, read through my contract and it said any treatments that go past the anniversary of purchase are forfeited Basically I doubt there will be enough hair by June, so I’m not to bothered as I probably would have had to forfeit one anyway. All I have to do now is start the full on search for an electrologist, once the last remaining hairs return.

The main reason why I haven’t posted this stuff earlier was because I wanted to get this last treatment over with before I posted any controversial information on the internet and also I’ve had a load of exams and coursework dead lines so I’ve been a bit tired and lax. Hence why I made a couple of cruddy posts without paying attention.

But anyways, will up date soon with how the shedding goes and how much hair is left. Before the treatment I’d say that there had been a 90% reduction, fingers crossed it should be more like 95% this time : )

Regards,
Benji

#47

Thanks for the update. Do you have any before and after pictures?

Let us know how things progress in 3-6 months when you will be able to judge true reduction.

Thanks again. These are great and detailed, and I’m sure will help others in London.

#48

Thanks lagirl,

I don’t have a before picture, which is a shame. But I just simply couldn’t bring myself to do it when I started this as I hated it so much. However, the hair was a similar thickness to that of my lower legs (yep, it was a mother). The next set pictures are what my skin looks like 2 days after the treatment with Sk;n using the Cynosure Apogee (remembered to say that bit for once) Elite. I’m not sure whether this is normal, usually on the GentleLASE the hair follicles are raised and reddish pink, but not scabby. I’m not to bothered with the reaction as it usually goes down within the 3-4 days just looks a bit minging.

http://s218.photobucket.com/albums/cc122/joniesroxx/?action=view&current=Picture034.jpg

http://s218.photobucket.com/albums/cc122/joniesroxx/?action=view&current=Picture035.jpg

http://s218.photobucket.com/albums/cc122/joniesroxx/?action=view&current=Picture037.jpg

http://s218.photobucket.com/albums/cc122/joniesroxx/?action=view&current=Picture038.jpg

http://s218.photobucket.com/albums/cc122/joniesroxx/?action=view&current=Picture040.jpg

Okay and now here are the results from Laser-active on reducing/thinning out the hair. My legs came out great and have had about a 25-30% reduction, which is good and it all came out uniformly.

Right thigh

http://s218.photobucket.com/albums/cc122/joniesroxx/?action=view&current=Picture045.jpg

Left thigh

http://s218.photobucket.com/albums/cc122/joniesroxx/?action=view&current=Picture042.jpg

Right lower leg

http://s218.photobucket.com/albums/cc122/joniesroxx/?action=view&current=Picture044.jpg

Left lower leg

http://s218.photobucket.com/albums/cc122/joniesroxx/?action=view&current=Picture043.jpg

Anyways, just some photos for you all. I will take some more after 3 or so months on my back and so on. After that I may start some more treatments on my legs and stuff to reduce them more.

Actually thinking about it, what would peoples opinions be on whether it would look natural if I had a smooth chest apart from leaving a snail trail? I’ve always wanted to get rid of it, but a couple of people have said it would look unnatural because my legs are hairy or do you reckon if I reduced the hair there a bit more it would help?. Any opinions would be fab :wink:

Regards,
Benji

#49

Benji, How many treatments have you had on your legs and what machine/settings did you use. I’m male 33, type III skin, and am also looking for a 30% reduction on my legs. I had one treatment done with GentleLase@ 16J, 18mm about 4 weeks ago but no new hair has come in yet. I’m curious to see what kind of reduction i get ne treament.

#50

Hi Benji,

I think that’s great that you were able to find a place with a good machine and technician to achieve some decent results without the patches.

Personally, I think your legs looks great and I wouldn’t worry if now or after a couple months (when you’ll be able to judge true reduction) if your hairs grow back on your chest.
I always found hairs on man some kind of normal and not repulsive at all.

Muci.

#51

Hi Gene,

I had one treatment on my legs, I’m planning to have another 2 or 3 to make sure I get all the hair cycles. I’m skin type I-II (although some would say II-III because I can tan easily, but whatever) and I react very well to laser.

Most people usually see the main reduction after the 2nd or 3rd treatment as that is when the last of the hairs are coming into the anagen cycle, depending on how your hair reacts you may need 2, possibly 3 treatments.
I found a little bit of hair came through after 6-8 weeks, but I didn’t have the majority of it come through until about 12 weeks and I could finally see the full reduction after about 16 weeks. So it’s quite a long process.

Thanks as well Muci, I’m waiting for all the hair to come through on my chest so I can wax it and resynchronise it as I had a touch up at 4 weeks after treatment and my chest hair seemed to have already started the next cycle… wierd eh? lol
Will probabaly leave my chest hair and stuff for the moment anyway until I have a bit more cash and have got the first 4 months of electrolysis behind me when the hair regrows.

Regards,
Benji

#52

Thanks for the pictures. It kind of looks like you are getting irritation from laser burning the stubble. How long is the stubble when you go in for treatment? It may help to avoid the irritation if you have a smoother shave when you go in.

I would reduce the chest hair, but not eliminate it. Most men have at least some chest hair. Even my friends who don’t look like they have much in pictures or from farther away, actually do when you look closer. Maybe reach a point where you can easily shave it and have that smooth look, but still have some when you grow it out.

#53

Thanks for all the opinions guys.

Strangely enough that was a frsh shave. I completley forgot to shave it before I left my house as I suddenly remembered I had to pick up a prescription, so we shaved it right before we had the treatment with a disposable razor.

I think that that was what was attributing to the pain of the treatment, as when I shaved the day before it didn’t hurt as much on previous treatments. Although since Sk;n switched the machines my skin seems to get more irritated, especially compared to the GentleLASE’s treatments.

Might just be a individual thing.

Regards,
Benji

#54

Interesting. Did they dry shave? It could be shaving irritation compounded with laser irritation resulting from doing it on freshly shaved skin.

#55

Yeah that was the case. I think what I’m going to do if I have any further treatments with the Cynosure Apogee Elite is wet shave very early in the morning and have a late appointment so there will be barely any hair above the skin, yet won’t cause irritation.

It’s going down now and I can have hot showers again (usually find that I have to have luke warm baths because of the pain for the first couple of days) so I’m going to start exfoliaitng the area to help the shedding. Hopefully the results should be good.

Regards,
Benji

#56

Hi Benji,

I have had 2 sessions on my legs, bikini, underarms & moustache using the Cynosure Apogee and find that it works very well. I too have been classed as a III as i tan easily, where as I would say II for my skin colour…

I tend to have a bath in the morning & shave the areas due for treatment. I have to say that I DO NOT have red marks like you do on my skin. On both occassions I have not washed until 24 hours post treatment & by then any redness has gone.

#57

Hiya HirsuteAC,

I have to admit I was quite suprised when I was first treated with the Cynosure, although it has happened every time I get treated with the Cynosure Apogee Elite. What was the pulse, joules and spot size?

Regards,
Benji

#58

The reason for the gel (it doesn’t matter whether it is aloe vera or not) is to increase sucking heat out of the skin. With the Cynosure (and if using a Candela without the cyrogen spray) one should be using an air cooler (Zimmer unit is the most likely) and the wet skin cools faster than dry skin.

#59

Thanks sslhr, I always wondered why they did that. They did have the ol’ flow of cool air, but certainly wasn’t the beloved cryogen.

Regards,
Benji

#60

Hi Benji, I knew you would ask that question & I am affraid that I am unable to anwer it!! The machine is behind me & I have never thought to ask the technician. I think that a major factor in laser treatment is all in the application of the technician - do you?

My technician has called me in every 4 weeks so far & my third treatment is tomorrow. I was considering putting the treatment off (as I have had virtually no hair growth under my arms & bikini line in 4 weeks!) however, I think I am just going to trust her judgement & go with the flow for a while…

All I can say is that so far, after 2 treatments, everything that the girl has ‘hit’ with the laser has not grown back in 9 weeks. I still have these black pepperspots in places, and the sporadic areas where the treatments so far have not worked, but I am sooooooooooooo happy with this machine & technician.

As a result I am going to follow her instructions for now, even though some things go agaisnt the norm when reading this site. See how it goes tomorrow and I will ask for the application details & reprot back to you. You do surprise me though, as your skin & hair type look identical to mine…

Kind regards