lightsheer and Alexandrite questions

Hair Removal Methods Laser hair removal
#1

Just had a consultation with one of the pioneers in laser hair reduction in San Francisco. He does not use Gentlelase Alexandrite. I asked why and he responded with: Lighthseer is better because the energy in the square laser beam is consistent whereas the alexandrite has “hot spots” where the laser is strongest in the center and decreases toward the outer area of the circular laser beam. Plus the overlapping issues with a circular laser beam. Anyway, not sure how much I buy that. ANyone have any thoughts on this theory? Also,

He wants to use 30 ms 35 J on me. 30ms pulse width because the density of the hair is too much to go much lower and coudl cause blistering/burning. He did say he will be aggressive. Depending on how it goes he will go to the auto setting which would drop the pulse width to half of the Joules. How do those settings sound for Lightsheer?

I have to admit. His curriculum vitae, his bedside manner comforting, and knowledge of lasers were impressive and comforting. He basically all but guaranteed results for me. Perfect candidate, would be surprised if no results etc. Has treated people in similar areas with success. One thing that surprised me is that he thinks shoulders and back and upper arms are not problem areas at all in terms of stubborn areas or induced hair growth. Has only heard of induced hair growth in female patients with hormonal imbalances.

The downside is, he’s also incredibly expensive at $600 for shoulders or $750 for upper back and shoulders per treatment. YOW! I will likely pass and try another place because that is just too expensive for zero guarantee. Not to mention it was a $175 consult fee plus $250 for LHR test spots (though the test spots he does comprises of fist-sized spot next to a shaved “control” area to compare). Adding up very quickly. Looking at approx $4,000 for 5 treatments. Ouch. If it was guaranteed I would pay that in a heartbeat. But, it’s not.

Anyone here use Lighsheer with success on male shoulders, upper back? Yes, the hair is dark and dense and coarse. What are considered aggressive settings on Lightsheer?

#2

Well, i think most of what he told you makes sense.

You didn’t give us some info about yourself in terms of age, gender, skin type etc…

Those prices are funny though, for what he took you for consult and test patch you could almost buy a package at my place for doing the back.

#3

Male, 28, Mediterranean, light olive skin tone.

Here’s my history:

Had a couple lhr sessions in LA with Dr. Babapour when I was 24. I believe I was sub-optimally treated (12mm or 15mm, 12-14J, Alex). No results at all. In fact, in my honest opinion, I received induced hair growth.

  1. Moved to Bay Area. Have had 3 test spots on left and right shoulders to test effectiveness before spending $$$. All three Tx were on the same exact area:

Left Shoulder (YAG)
1 Tx) 18mm 24J 10 msec
2 Tx) 18mm 28J 10 msec
3 Tx) 18mm 28J 5 msec

Right shoulder (Gentlelase)
1 Tx) 18mm 14J 3 msec
2 Tx) 18mm 18J 3 msec
3 Tx) 18mm 16J 3 msec => lowered J because of pigmentation, which has faded over time)

Notice slight reduction on right shoulder but mostly reduced coarseness of hair. No amazing results after the third tx on either shoulder.

  1. Wanted yet another opinion from a “laser expert”. He seemed perplexed and didn’t really have any answers for me other than it should work even at low Joules. Did not do test spot yet.

Odi…I agree. I almost laughed out loud when I saw the price quote. It’s not even full back. I only need the upper back treated as the other parts of my back aren’t suitable for LHR.

#4

There are some recommendations on the forum for places in SF. One of my friends got treated there and it’s somewhere on the forum. They use Candela lasers.

You’re in between skin types, so LightSheer may be ok for you since good settings on an alex seem to cause pigmentation on some of your areas.

I would research a few other places and have more consultations. You have lots of options in the Bay area.

Can you post some pictures of your growth?

And yes, those prices are outrageous.

#5

Wow never heard of place charging potential clients for doing a simple test patch/spot, that’s absolutely highway robbery and giving this industry a bad name by doing that. $425 per consult/test spots, this doctor makes a very good living on just doing those and doesn’t even matter if people go with him or not to actually do the laser hair removal procedures.

In my 35 years in the hair removal and laser hair removal a doctor or any business should NEVER charge a penny for a test spot. That’s like being charged to test drive a car at a car dealership or being charged after everytime you try on a dress at a department store! :open_mouth:

#6

The place I was thinking of in SF is called Aura Spa btw.

#7

here are some photos per request. Sorry for some of the fuzzy images and the lighting. My skin is lighter in person. every consultation I’ve been to they say I’m a II-III. They say I’m a perfect candidate.

CHEST:

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Stomach:

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Right shoulder 4 months after 3rd Test spot on Alexandrite.

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#8

You are a good candidate on most areas. Your stomach and chest and legs should get great results. Photos 3-6 and 9 (last) have a mixture of hair, i.e. a bunch of it is finer. So I would expect average results on these areas…50% would be reasonable in my opinion. For chest, stomach, and legs, you can get up to 95% removal with 8 treatments or so.

If you’re correct about your skin type, you should look for an alex laser like GentleLASE or Apogee if possible. Have a consultation at Aura Skin Spa in SF and run a search here for other recommendations in the area. Zoozoo laser in Palo Alto (I think it’s the name) has been mentioned, as well as a few others.

#9

thanks for input. I’ll continue to look around.