IPL treatment on beard query

Hair Removal Methods Laser hair removal
#1

Hello,

I just want to know if it is possible to target one area specifically on my beard (size of 1-2cm), while covering and blocking off the surrounding area to prevent hair damage in those areas? I have had several IPL treatments in the past, the one area I’m not happy with is on the right side of my chin, very thick and dark and uneven, doesn’t fit with the rest of the facial hair growth.

I’m 26 y/o male, skin type I/II (to account for the summer). The machine is a Lumenis Quantum. I heard white tape might work, but the IPL penetrated through last time and hit more than I wanted it to. Any other ideas?

#2

1-2cm you should just do electrolysis, would be way more accurate and would be done so fast. Furthermore you shouldn’t be doing IPL especially on the face. IPL is not very effective or permanent like a true laser, especially on the face. I’ve been treated with Lumenis IPL, it’s okay but wasn’t the Quantum was the Lumenis One.

#3

I believe you posted on the other forum. It’s hard to make IPL avoid certain areas…it can penetrate through some white.

I would also advise to consider electrolysis. For such a small area, it would be very easy and you’d have control over which hairs are removed.

#4

I tried electrolysis once last year, and everything grew back, seemingly even thicker (same problem area btw). I switched my appointment at the IPL place to another place that uses a Candela Gentlelase for early next week.

From what I understand, lasers are much more specific in terms of targeting pigment/colour than IPLs, which have a broader spectrum. So I hope that by covering the surrounding area with white tape, I should avoid the damage I saw from the IPL, while hopefully achieving a more lasting result from the Candela. I don’t care if some hair grows back, I just want to lighten the shadow of this streak on the side of my chin.

Do you know what sort of settings I should be asking for with the Candela? I’m usually a skin I, but I tan easily and though I’ve not been lying out in the sun or anything, I’m a little darker from general outdoor exposure right now.

#5

I still say do electrolysis, if it grew back then something was wrong. Doing such a small area with a laser is like using a power sprayer to paint a tiny section of a wall.

Someone else will know the settings best, I only know what to look for with 18mm which is too big for what you want, you should use 12 or 15mm, so I think it’s something like 25-30J at 15mm?

You’re right about the laser vs IPL. Using another painting example, IPL is like painting a wall green by throwing 5 different colours at it from a distance. Sure some areas will be green but others will be different colours and others won’t even make it to the wall. Laser would be more like standing 2 feet away from the wall with a can of green and chucking the whole open can at the wall. :slight_smile:

EDIT! Electrolysis would be like holding the can in your hand using a nice brush and painting the entire wall green by hand! :slight_smile:

#6

If you’re going to go with laser, you may want to choose a Yag laser instead, like Candela’s GentleYAG. If the hair is deep, that would be a better laser choice.

You can’t judge if something “grows back” after 1 electrolysis treatment. Whatever hair you see if not all that there is there. Hair grows in cycles. So there is more hair that’s still dormant and not visible. Electrolysis requires multiple treatments of the area. You also don’t mention what type of electrolysis, so it’s impossible to judge anything. I would recommend someone who’s using blend, which is best for deeper curlier hairs.

#7

Electrolysis is a [color:#FF6666][size:17pt]SERIES[/size][/color] of sessions that spans 9-18 months and it works brilliantly if it performed correctly. One treatment is a joke and I am surprised that the person performing electrolysis did not teach about how electrolysis works. Electrologists are supposed to start with a consult to explain such matters and then you are supposed to ask questions. When everything is understood, you go forward and clear the area ASAP and then MAINTAIN the area as needed every 4-6 weeks until permanency is yours!

#8

Thanks so much for the information guys. I will move on to electrolysis after this laser treatment. I just want to see if it can reduce the density a little bit to make it easier to treat with electrolysis later on.

I have a question on spot size: the Candela supposedly has adjustable spot sizes between 6 and 18mm. Do you think all of the Candela’s would have this feature, and would it simply mean that a smaller area is targeted, but with the same power (fluence)? So I could ask for, say, 10mm with 25-30J?

Or considering the size of the area (1-2cm), should I ask for the lowest spot size (6mm)?

#9

Another thing: should I shave against the grain on treatment day to enable a closer shave so the laser might penetrate more deeply?

#10

The lower the spot size the higher the joules that are required. Only older GentleLASE machines are lacking the 18mm so I think you’re safe to assume they have up to that. I’m not sure what it would normally come with, I think 12, 15 18 are probably pretty much guaranteed. Anything lower I’m not sure if it comes with or if the person has to actually purchase that separately.

I don’t think shaving against the grain vs with it makes a huge difference. Closer is better but not sure if it would have that much impact…

#11

The impact of the joules decreases as you lower the spot size. So joules would need to be increased accordingly if you go lower than the max 18mm spot size.

On 18mm, 20j is max. On 15mm, 30j is maxm. On 12mm, 40j is max.

GentleYAG has higher joules to begin with. On 18mm, 30j is max and the pulse width is adjustable (lower is 3ms).

You want the safest setting for your skin that involves highest joules, largest spot size, and lowest pulse width.

#12

Actually, depending where this is on your beard you may only be able to use the yag. Alexandrite on my upper lip and chin has No effect, it doesn’t shed at all. Only the yag with its higher wavelength can hit the roots for me on those hairs, and only with the 15mm spot size. The lower the spot size, the less deep it penetrates, so 6mm probably wouldn’t be enough. Honestly I think you’re wasting your time with laser. Is that the only area you’re doing? One tiny little spot? What are they charging you to do that one spot?

#13

Hey guys, only just saw your latest responses now. I had my consultation at my new clinic this morning. The girl said it was the first time somebody had asked for such a small area for a laser treatment. Due to the small size of the area, she agreed to my request for the patch test to be carried out on the chin area I want reduced.

This clinic was very thorough, so many formalities that had to be gone through, and a complete medical history and background check as well. I appreciated this, as it meant that they were a serious outfit who are interested in protecting the client as well as their own legal safety. This is contrary to my last clinic, a complete shambles. Also, when I was taken into a room for the patch test, I noticed the machine was a Soprano XL, so I asked for a Gentlelase treatment instead, so we switched room. I think I’m right in assuming that the Gentlelase is a better fit for me.

Anyway, when I started getting specific about the area I wanted ‘hit’ and whether I would need white tape etc, she told me if I circled it with a white pencil, she would hit the precise area. I didn’t believe her, but after she zapped me and I saw my face, I could tell she was right. I don’t know quite how this was done, whether it related to adjustable pulse width or whatever.

As it was technically a consult visit she said she couldn’t put the settings up too high. However, there was no charge for today. What I reckon will happen now is that I will see some shedding, and I will need to go back in under two months. The area isn’t red, and the treatment didn’t hurt, which I know will probably be seen as a bad thing, but at least I know that I can continue to go to this clinic and this girl will know exactly what I require next time: the same area hit, but higher settings.

So right now, I can’t feel any stubbly hair on the area, and it looks slightly bruised. I guess I’ll have to just wait and see what sort of shedding I get. Maybe none…

#14

Pulse width has nothing to do with that. Spot size is what you’re thinking of (sounds like she used a small spot size on you). Good for you going for the GentleLASE, that was a better choice.

What were the settings on the test patch, and what settings will she be using next time? The fact that it didn’t hurt is kind of odd to me.

#15

I’m surprised they would do it, you might as well just go to 6 different clinics and get that same test patch done and get it all for free lol. I still think electrolysis is better though!

#16

I didn’t actually catch the settings from her, she said they would not be high though, just for the consultation. Still, I should get a number of weeks hair-free in the area once some shedding occurs, and then I can go back.

She said further treatments would be about €60, but I feel I can negotiate that down a bit, as the size of the area is so small and she didn’t seem sure at all about how much to charge me in future. As for the sensation when she zapped me, it hurt at the moment of contact, but nothing after, just a bruised feeling. I’m used to IPL treatments where I would be red for days, but it was a dreadful machine. I presume this one is labelled as ‘Gentlelase’ due to some decrease in pain and side effects.

#17

I think they want you to perceive that there is some decrease. GentleLase does use a nice DCD (dynamic cooling device) which just shoots a jet of cooling spray before the laser is emitted, but I think it would be around the same comfort as most other Alexandrite lasers. It’s more different lasers which feel different I think.

I hope you can negotiate it down a bit… that is a lot for such a small area. Find out how much an upper lip costs, even that would be around 5 or so zaps, and I’m assuming this area would be less?

#18

GentleLASE is painful as all heck. The pain is gone immediately, but for a second there you are reeeeeally feeling it.

The point of a test patch is to see how high you can go without burning. She shouldn’t be using super low settings on you unless there is a risk you will burn from higher settings (in which case you are not fair-skinned enough for an alexandrite laser and need to find a diode or yag).

Please call her back and get the settings for us. If she’s using a very small spot size, it’s even more imperative that the Joules are high enough. Especially if you’re paying $60 for one tiny area, they need to get it right!

#19

That’s 60 euros, so $76 or so USD. I honestly don’t know why you refuse to do electrolysis, an area that small should be done in 15 minutes which is what most charge at minimum which is usually around $15 anyway.

#20

I live in Ireland, there arent any good clinics that specialise in electrolysis here. When I was recommended to one last year, it was a total waste of time and I had massive lumps on my face for days which was truly embarrassing. Everything grew back. All I ever hear from people is that everything grows back, so I might as well have a few more goes with the Candela, while paying as little as I can to the clinic.

What I find incredibly stressful about this is the downtime, where my face looks ruined where I have had treatment. A few years ago I had no commitments and started off this unnecessary process because I was naive. Now I live with my girlfriend, have a job and somehow have managed to get away without telling anyone all this time. I am in a position where I feel I MUST get touchups. But when I do, I target only this area which bothers me the most, and try to live with the rest of it.

I will keep you guys posted here as to if and when I shed. If all the hair falls out from that area, then I will monitor how long it stays away. The next time I visit that clinic, I will make sure I’m not tanned at all (I have a slight one now). I will then get the tech to ramp up the joules. I feel confident that I will get better success with this laser than with the IPL, at least.