Laser in London: Advice Needed

Hair Removal Methods Laser hair removal
#1

Hi.

I’ve been reading through this terrific site for a while now and have decided to try laser hair removal for my back, shoulders, and top of arms, which are covered in thick, dark, coarse hair (made far worse by years and years of shaving and waxing). It’s terribly unsightly and needs to be sorted.

I am getting waxed on Monday (it is very long at the moment) but when it grows back I plan to go laser.

I have read through the site but am still confused, as there’s so much information (I’m not the most technical person) and I’m scared of taking the wrong route (i.e. going to a bad clinic, using the wrong laser, etc).

I am white, but of Greek origin. I am usually pale but tan pretty easily although I do burn in the sun if I’m not careful.

Any advice would be most welcome, i.e. good clinics in London, the right laser for me, etc.

Thanks,
LB

#2

  • Run a search for London using the Advanced Search feature at top right and expand to 1 year. There are several threads outlining your clinic options. Go for a clinic with an alex laser like GentleLASE first and have them do a test patch to see if you can handle high enough settings without burning. If not, you will need to look into Yag lasers.

  • Shaving doesn’t do anything to the hair. That’s an old-wives’ tale.

#3

Thank you very much for your response. Because I didn’t get a reply in the first week or so, I assumed no-one would respond and I haven’t visited the site since. Because of work, I’ve been unable to investigate laser further anyway, let alone have any treatment, I’ve just been getting my back/neck/shoulders/top of arms waxed as normal. That work period is thankfully over and I can look into laser now and finally do something about a problem that is plagueing me and having an adverse affect on my psychological state.

I have decided to follow the advise on this site and visit a few clinics for consultations.

I think I’m skin type IV probably (maybe III). I am pale but I tan pretty easily and go pretty dark although I get burnt if I’m not careful. I have very dark, coarse body hair.

May I ask why you haven’t recommended a diode laser for me? From what I’ve read on your FAQs, a laser like the LightSheer sounds like it may be the one for me, as my skin is not anglo-white, but more meditteranean-white.

Sorry but I find the whole thing about choosing which laser terribly confusing, and this obviously affects which clinics I would choose to visit. I’m sure if I ask the clinics which laser would be best for me, they’ll just recomend the laser they have!!

Hence I would far rather have independent advice. Thanks again.

#4

She didn’t recommend a diode possibly because you said you were pale and didn’t specify your actual #. Skin type IV is NOT pale. Type I and II is pale. If you think a type IV is pale, you’d probably be shocked to see a type I like me.

Now that we know you’re a type III-IV, I agree that a diode would be good for you, or possibly a Yag because of Mediterranean under-pigment. It doesn’t sound like a GentleLASE would be able to go to high enough settings without burning you. I would get tested with a diode to see if high settings will be okay for your skin, and move on to a Yag if the diode is too strong for you.

#5

Thanks for the tip.

I’m somewhere between Skin Type III and IV.

Following your advice, I have looked on the net and found a place called The Private Clinic in London. They have a LightSheer laser and a CoolGlide laser, both of which are diodes I believe.

Any more info or experience would be gratefully received, as the whole thing is a bit of a minefield. Once I go for consultations, I intend to share my experience on these boards.

Should I ditch the idea of a GentleLASE? I only ask because I read on this site that they are more effective than diodes or yags?

#6

Coolglide is a yag by Cutera, LightSheer is diode though. GentleLASE is more effective but if you’re type IV it’s probably too dark. I’m a high type 3, in the winter I can def use alexandrites but once summer starts to come around, even if I try to avoid the sun I tan and then I’m more like a 4. So just all depends, in the summer you probably will need yag or diode either is fine.

#7

I’m gonna be honest with you, be prepared for it to be a minefield permanently. It’s really hard to find someone willing to use aggressive-enough settings, offer touch ups on missed spots, or be realistic with you about how far apart to space the treatments. Laser operators can give informed consumers a lot of grief.

I think you should ditch the idea of a GentleLASE. Yes, it is the most effective if you are a candidate, but it can cause serious burns if you’re not. You could post an accurate picture and we can take a look at your skin type for you which may be more helpful.

If you really want to, you can always try a test spot with the GentleLASE. That’s what test spots are for. If you get a small burn, then don’t freak out though.

#8

Hey thanks for the responses. I feel better already, although I’m depressed at what a minefield it is. I’m scared I’ll make bad decisions! I hate research but clearly it’s imperative with this stuff.

I don’t know how to post pictures, I’m a bit dumb in that respect. If I can manage it, I’ll certainly do it, your feedback would be greatly valued.

I’m a bit torn now regarding GentleLase. It’s the most effective, but I don’t want my skin burned when I get tested.

Maybe I’ll find a clinic in London which has both an Alex and a diode/Yag and they can advise me which would be more suitable.

#9

Can I also ask, what’s the difference between laser and IPL? I keep reading IPL but I don’t know what it means. Thanks.

#10

IPL stands for intense pulsed light, it’s basically like a very bright light where laser is similar but, well a laser lol. IPL is better for skin treatments, it just happens to be able to do hair removal too sometimes but it’s really not as good so you should basically steer clear.

#11

IPL sucks, basically. It’s not a laser, it’s just a strong light. It’s great for skin conditions (like redness or acne spots), but it’s not very good for hair removal. It is usually cheaper, and works a little bit and takes many more sessions. But working a “little bit” is actually worse than not working at all, because it makes the hair JUST fine enough so that a real laser can’t work on you anymore (real lasers work best on super coarse hair). So basically, it’s best to save up for laser that will work right the first time instead of dealing with IPL.

Be aware that many places will INSIST that IPL works just as well as a GentleLASE. This is blatantly false, it’s not a matter of opinion. They tend to buy IPL machines because they are cheaper and can treat a wide range of skin ailments. A real laser is so expensive you’d have to take out a major loan to buy one (or mortgage your house), so real lasers are outnumbered by IPL machines since IPL machines are a better investment for the company (especially when it’s so easy to convince a consumer that IPL is the same thing as laser).

EDIT: That doesn’t mean IPL never works at all, by the way. It just means it’s kind of a joke compared to the real thing. There’s not really a valid reason to consider it if you have an actual laser within traveling distance of your town.

#12

Thanks so much. I really appreciated your responses. This is a terrific forum.

No way will I go for IPL, after your tips. I’m going to go laser, after many years of it lurking in the back of my mind I’m going to take the plunge. I think I will get test patches from different clinics with different lasers, and make a commitment based on the results.

I will try a GentleLase if a clinic deems it okay for me to try with my skin type. I will try a LightSheer and possibly a Yag like a CoolGlide. I believe there is also a laser called an Apogee that is also meant to be good, not sure what type of laser this is though.

I will try at least 3 different clinics, as this site suggests I do. Any recommendations for clinics in London would be appreciated, as would any more information.

I didn’t realise it was so complicated! My head feels full!

EDIT: I have read that the LightSheer (or diodes in general, I can’t remember) require a far more skilled technician, otherwise they simply don’t work. Is this true?

#13

I’m not sure the exact reason why LightSheer is harder to use. I think it’s because with GentleLASE or Apogee Elite and so on, it fires a pulse, you lift it move it to the next spot, it fires, lift it move to the next spot it fires etc. With LightSheer you have to press down and it keeps firing like 1 shot per second or something like that, so the operator has to glide it across your skin. If they go too fast, then it won’t overlap and will miss hair, but if they go too slow, it will overlap too much and could burn. I’ve heard that LightSheer is painful as well but again never used it.

Look for clinics that have Apogee Elite, since it’s an alex and a yag. If you’re too dark in the summer they can use the yag, then if you’re lighter in the winter they can use the alex on you and mix it up.

EDIT: Wanted to add as well, I was first treated by IPL on my stomach 4 sessions at my friends clinic (so 2 were free). Didn’t know it was IPL or what that meant anyway at first. I did have great results though full shedding and it really did eliminate all the coarse hair. I’ve done 2 alex laser sessions since then but it eliminated tons of the hair there. It was the Lumenis One IPL module (Lumenis is the company that makes LightSheer). I’d still recommend a true laser over it but I did seem to get good results with it.

#14

Edokid is a perfect example of why this whole process can be tough. Different people respond different to different things, and laser is a fickle beast. :stuck_out_tongue:

He has actually had IPL, but I have not. I only have my information from a few comparisons I’ve read and some anecdotes from these forums, NOT personal experience (because I turned down all clinics who offered me IPL treatments). I don’t want to make you think I am an IPL expert, when I’m only basing my comments on other people. You could do a search of these forums for IPL yourself for information from those who have actually tried it, like Edokid.

#15

I still wouldn’t do IPL though. In all fairness, I did 4 sessions about 6 weeks apart. I then did nothing for maybe I dunno 3 months or so, then did 2 alex laser sessions also about 8 weeks apart. The area has reacted the way I’d expect it to had I done alex from the start for example, but I say in all fairness because I also didn’t do IPL then stop for 6+ months. It’s been IPL then laser so it’s hard to tell how much the IPL did.

#16

I wouldn’t discount an alex like GentleLASE for your skin type. Skin types are very approximate. You really should get spot tested and see if you can handle high enough settings on an alex first since it’s the most effective laser type at the right settings.

Also, consider clinics that have several types of lasers. Then they’ll be able to choose an appropriate one for you.

There are several London clinic discussions on the forum. Run an Advanced Search at the top right of the screen and read London threads from the past 2 years.

#17

Sounds like the verdict is to try a spot test with an Alex at least, and to avoid IPL. Hopefully this is enough to get you started with making your consultations… :slight_smile:

#18

I really want to thank you guys for sharing your experience and knowledge on this topic. I immediately feel less alone with my problem and more positive. I intend to report back on my experience.

The woman who waxes me has suggested a private salon which she used to work at and which does laser. I will book a consultation with them, as well as with a few more, clinics which have more than one type of laser, as has been suggested. My back has been waxed but it grows back VERY quickly so when it does i’ll start visiting places.

In the meantime, all information gratefully received.

Have any of you heard of the Elite MPX LHR System? One of the clinics whose website I visited boasts about the fact they are one of the first London clinics to offer it. The clinic also offer Candela GentleLASE and GentleYAG.

#19

Elite MPX!!! JEALOUS!!! It’s the new Apogee Elite, as far as I’m concerned it’s now the best there is. GentleLASE always had an advantage in that it had an 18mm spot size where Apogee Elite was 15mm. The MPX is Apogee Elite with 18mm spot size BUT it’s an alexandrite AND yag combined into one. It fires both pulses at the same time, so the alex kills the fine hairs and the yag kills the deeper hairs. It’s a hybrid. They can do one or the other or combine the two together. If you can go there then I would definitely do it! I asked my clinic if they were getting it but they said it’s $150k so not for awhile :(:(:frowning:

#20

Yes, Elite is a new Cynosure machine and it’s a good one. Both of those Candela machines are great too.

Make sure to only go to consultations where they have the right laser to avoid wasting your time and listening to sales pitches :slight_smile:

Also, ask them for spot test when you go in and write down the settings they will use (joules, spot size, and pulse width).