Lightsheer Diode or Duet or Apogee 5500

Hair Removal Methods Laser hair removal
#1

Hello,

I would like to start with laser hair removal. I’ve visited 3 places for information and test spots and I’ve also done a lot of online research, I’ve still not made up my mind. That’s why I would love to hear your opinions.

I live in Europe and we there aren’t a lot of doctors who offer laser hair removal treatments here, so I don’t have a lot of options to choose from.
I know that the experience of the person who performs the treatment is also very important, but it’s rather impossible to find out weather or not that person has a lot of experience and good reviews. The doctors I’ve visited, don’t perform the laser treatment themselves, but they delegate this task to a random beautician. In Europe it’s also not common to ask your doctor a lot of questions about the treatment or even to get a test treatment. I had to pay for an extra consultation to receive a test treatment on a small spot.
So, I really need extra information. As I cannot find out weather the beauticians have a lot of experience, I’ve decide to focus on the quality of the equipment they’re using.

I can choose between the Lightsheer Diode, Light sheer Diode Duet and the Apogee 5500. I have very pale skin and dark, coarse hairs. Which laser would you recommend?

I’ve had a test spot with all three models. With the Light sheer Diode Duet, I’ve noticed less pepperspots. On the other hand, on one (quite large) spot the hairs never shed. When I got home, I immediately noticed that the beautician didn’t shave all the hairs on that spot, so I wonder if that’s the cause of the face that those hairs never shed.
That’s why another question: what is the ideal length of the hairs for laser treatment? On beautician shaved my hairs before the treatment, the other one asked me to shave the morning before the treatment. My hairs grow fast and my skin is never smooth after shaving.

Thanks in advance!

#2

Hello and welcome!

The good news that pale skin and course, dark hair is a great combination for lasers to target!

I would suggest you read LAGirl’s FAQ here first:

If your skin type is within the I-III range, Alexandrite lasers are most effective, so the Apogee 5500 would suit well. Having said this, diode can treat the same range of skin types effectively as well, so choose by which practitioner you think is best.

The laser ray penetrates your skin and burns out the hair (because it is dark), thus you can laser off hair that is freshly shaved. Some practitioners prefer a little growth so that they can see where the hair is (and thus where to point the laser). A day’s growth should be plenty for them to see, but if you let the hair grow too long, the heat from the laser will transfer UP the hair (instead of focussing the heat to the follicle) and the burnt hair can land on your skin, burning your skin. So my advice is - shorter is better! If you see the doctor miss a spot, just point it out and they will zap it.

And don’t worry about asking questions or pointing out a missed spot - doctors and beauticians should be interested in YOUR goals and it’s YOUR money, so make sure you’re getting all the service you need!

Good luck with your laser and don’t forget to let us know how it goes!

#3

Thanks for your reply! And thanks for your advice on hair length, I will certainly keep that in mind.

One last question: I had a test patch on my underarms. It hurt a lot! Do you think it will hurt even more when I’m having my bikini line lasered?

The Apogee and Lightsheer diode hurt much more than the duet, so for the most sensitive areas, I think I will choose for the duet and for the other areas for the apogee.

#4

Sorry, I forgot to write down my last question :slight_smile:

One doctor told me I would only need 3 treatments because I’m an ideal candidate (dark, coarse hair and very pale skin). The other one told me they normally advice 6 treatments, but I would probably be satisfied after 4.

Do you think this is realistic? In my online research, I’ve noticed that most people need at least 6 treatments. And I’ve also come across many stories of people who feel betrayed because they needed more treatments than initially promised.

#5

What areas are you having treated?

I was done in 3 for my bikini line and lower legs. I waxed about 12 weeks before my first appointment to ensure the hair at the first appointment was in anagen so that this treatment could be fully effective (providing correct settings are used).