I have met with several people for brazilian laser hair removal. Everyone seems to love the candela gentelase here. However, the tech that I spoke with says its the best and you can kill hairs at 10 joules if in active growth. I made her give me a test spot at 12, 14, and 16. I felt the 16, but not bad. However where the skin gets darker she says she will do 10, maybe 12. You all say it didn’t kill the follicle just stunned it. I am sure she would up it, but as the skin gets more sensitive in some areas…i’m not sure she will. She also has the Yag, but says at skin type III, I don’t need it.
The other tech uses a Sciton Yag and IPL. She says she loves both and can get me to a few straggle hairs then follow up with electrolysis (she does both) She is very expensive $370/ treatment, but says she has had a long intimate relationship with hair and can look at it, treat it and gets great success. She teaches laser to other doctors, but I think she uses these laser b/c that is what her doctor bought. The other lady is $100 and will give references. The ipl lady says b/c of privacy issues she can’t, but talk to any staff member. They seem happy. What do I do? I like her confidence in herself, but I am scared that I will spend $2500 and then need electrolysis to do it all over. Should I start with electrolysis? She says laser first…just as good results until hair is too fine. Question…who would you choose and why?
Since she’s so confident and experienced with laser hair reduction using a ND: Yag or IPL, can she give you a guarantee, in writing, that you will get a great result? Then you won’t be nervous about spending the money.
I am going to write an article about this very issue or at least about the reason that 10 joules may or may not work (and other interesting tidbits about laser hair removal).
But the bottom line. 10 joules may or may not work depending on a number of factors. The chance of it not working is greater than the chance of it working but your mileage will vary. As the power goes up that ratio changes. So 10 joules can work. Sometimes. In some cases. For some people. Occasionally.
So what should I do? You seem so confident in your results, yet so do the electrolysis people. Is the tech better than the equipment? How would you rate the Sciton ND Yag & IPL? She will not give a money back guarantee. Should I do electolysis? I just want permanant results!
First, the bikini area generally responds to laser hair removal the best. The labia is probably the most difficult to treat in that area because of all the folds and potential color changes. I have seen people with very light skin and a very dark labia.
Which is more important. Hard to say but if I had to pick one I would say equipment. But it isn’t that easy because all the lasers and IPLs sold work to some extent.
If the Sciton ND YAG system is the one I am thinking about with a small spot size and a scanner, then this is not a very good YAG. But then, the bikini is the best place to treat.
If it was me, I would go with the Gentlelase get five treatments with an 18 mm spot but not at 10 joules, especially not on the bikini line. Wait 3-4 months between treatments (btw $2,500 is pretty steep). And see how you are doing. You probably will have some hair left. At that point, electrolysis probably would be a good option. A lot depends on how you respond. If the treatments are done well with good overlap you will have a significantly reduced number of hair. or even most of them gone.
sorry for interupting this tread…
When u say dark labia, u mean brown or pink. If it is pink is it still very difficult to treat?
No, I mean dark. Brown or black. Not pink. Pink is fine.
thanks for your input. I think I will do electrolysis on labia (ouch!) and laser the rest as I am not sure what to expect?
first, where are you located?
second, if this was me, i would go with GentleLASE and ask to use at least 14-16 joules on 18mm spot size (site online resources or anything else to convince her - chances are she will want the money. and she shouldn’t have a problem doing this if she tests your skin and she can see that there are no adverse effects). if you’re not feeling much, chances are that you’re not really killing any hair. so if she’s looking to treat with absolutely not pain, i’d be cautious.
There are probably other clinics in your area as well. We may be able to help you find more if you provide your location. I doubt those are the only options you have unless you’re in a really small town.
I think that The Laser used as well as the skill of the technician are important. If you do not know how to fine tune the laser parameters, you can have the best laser and still produce mediocre results.