I feared so… My confidence in the clinic has just taken a small knock
I’ll wait 10-11 weeks before my second treatment.
Thanks for the info and help guys. I appreciate it.
Virtually all clinics do this. My clinic and tech which did a good job in regards to settings and taking their time to not miss any spots still recommended coming back more frequently. Not only do they get more sessions out of you but since you are never really giving many hairs the chance to emerge, it can give the false impression that the treatment is working really well and that you are getting results. These clients only find out the reality when they stop treatments and wait for a few months to pass.
I’d say that if you don’t observe a decent reduction 10-12 weeks after three treatments (compared to your before pics) you may want to reconsider the clinic or perhaps even if Laser is right for your arm hair.
The yag has worked good on me. My settings on the yag are 35/15/1.5 the hairs have a growing stage they say 6-8 weeks and that’s why they want you back in every 6 weeks or so.
Does the 12 week mark count for every part of the body? I’m getting my under arms and brazillian done at 4 weeks. My third treatment will be 6 weeks after my second.
That’s too soon. When I got mine treated I just waited until enough hair grew in to go for my next appointment (I never prebooked an appointment). The laser can only treat the hair that is there. E.g. if at four weeks you’ve only just experienced shedding and there are maybe four or five hairs growing in… you’ll get 4 hairs treated. And laser doesn’t get every hair, so even fewer will be gone.
Waiting for longer is better.
hello, which laser is good for the thin black hairs?
Thanks Emilily, I did think it was too soon reading the posts here but as I am on a discount voucher, I am committed to finishing the sessions within a six month period 
I think next session I’ll let them know that I plan on coming in only when there is hair. I’m sure they will throw some spin on it lol 
I have heard for laser it 6-8 week in between appointments. I’m going every 6 for my inner thigh and brazilian. 4 weeks I know is way to soon.
– Small Update –
Okay, so it’s been a while. Had my first session in September this year and going back in the end of November for my second session.
The hairs shed all out and have re-grown. Can’t say I’m too positive about the results: see a minor difference compared to earlier. Probably a reduction of 10%. What I do see is that the hairs, that have come out, are a whole lot thinner than they used to be and I mean a lot lot.
I was treated with the Alexandrite laser at 18-18.5j and a 15mm spot size (If i’m not mistaken, could be wrong). Really feel like next time should up the settings. I’ll post pics later.
–Second Treatment–
Second treatment, 19J, 12mm spot size.
It’s been a week and half but none of the hairs have shed already, they are growing out but aren’t shedding yet. Ugh, hope it happens asap.
It can take up to three weeks for the hair to shed. Game plan: wait and see.
The Gentlelase can go as high as 20 joules, so you are getting the upper energy levels. If I’m wrong about the Gentlelase, I am happy to be corrected!
Warrior:
I am a male and also I am thinking of getting my forearms lasered.
I am looking to reduce the density (# of hairs per area) so that my forearms don’t look as hairy - are you looking for the same result or are you looking for complete removal?
I’m a bit pensive about lasering them for fear that the regrowth will come back patchy and the hairs that do grow back won’t look natural.
If you wouldn’t mind, could you please send me via PM (or share with the community) how your forearms look right before your second treatment and third treatment?
How many treatments did the laser person say you need?
Looking forward to hearing back since it will help me make a more informed decision.
Thanks
All ready then here’s an update of my situation. I included pics to make more sense.
–Update 28th March 2015–
I have had 3 sessions right now. Two with the Alexandrite laser and the latest one with the ND:yag laser. I can’t say I’m too happy right now. I read a lot of stories online about patients seeing a huge difference after just two or three sessions whereas I remain skeptical.
This is how we started:
This is the result after two sessions with the alexandrite:
Before my fourth session (if there’s going to be any) I will share how the results of the 3rd session are be.
The latest treatment was with the ND:Yag. So maybe, just maybe, that’ll make a bigger difference.
I happened to notice your last name … great name. (Ik gebruikte om te leven in de buurt van de Jordaan. Actually, on Herengracht 81.) One of my most wonderful (artistic) electrolysis students (“Shirley”), was living in the Jordaan. I still have one of her paintings. Good times!
Haha, no way. That’s wonderful. Beautiful place you were living.
Any chance you know a good clinic in or around Amsterdam?
–question–
So my latest treatment have been with the ND:Yag-laser. All well but the hairs haven’t really fallen out. Usually with the alexandrite laser it took around 3 weeks to shed but my last treatment have been 4 four weeks and still little shedding.
I don’t have any recommendations on laser clinics. Maybe you can check with the ANBOS (Den Haag)? They have recommendations.
Yes, fun times in the 1980s at Dr. Lamaker’s house (and family) … parties with doctors, judges and the mayor and rolled up hash cigarettes as big as a Havana cigar! But I never “inhaled!” I really didn’t!
“God almachtig!” You had to be there!
Long time lurker here…but your case reminds me of myself, so decided to give some input.
First of all, laser definitely does work. I started off as one of the hairiest people ever (I’m a guy), and my arms looked very similar to yours (maybe slightly worse).
After about 10 treatments, I got a good 60-70% permanent reduction on my arms. (I’ve had more treatments elsewhere and received more reduction.)
However, having said that, choosing the correct laser and technician is vital to success. It seems like your technician is way too concerned about 'burns" and upping the settings. This should be a major red flag.
I’m personally a skin type 3, and I can handle max settings on alex (20j, 18mm) on some areas. (Granted, this is after having 12-15 sessions before hand…supposedly, the less hair you have, the higher settings that can be used).
From what you’ve posted, it seems like you’re not going to get good results, since your technician seems unwilling to increase the settings. (And, those settings seem awfully low. Did it even hurt? My laser removal hurt so badly, especially at the start when I had tons of hair like you.)
It also appears that you have unrealistic expectations…the fact is, you need a minimum of 8 treatments, maybe even 10-12, to see a good reduction.
I definitely don’t know why you’d do the yag AFTER doing an alex…from my experience, the alex is by far the best laser to use if your skin can handle it. And, they should be using the 18mm spot size as well.
From what you’ve posted, it seems like you’re being semi-scammed.