I have had 5 LightSheer treatments done over the course of the last 2 years on my back and shoulders,although I only believe 3 were effective (I would like to solicit your opinions on this “effectiveness” question—see bottom of this post)
Skin type probably Type II, lots of freckles, reddish/brown hair on the back, shoulders, and chest (golden /light red color on my arms and legs—likely would not work at all), The first treatment was shoulders only-- to try it out. It was performed by a tech with about 3 years experience— more importantly, she had experience with my hair color—she actually had a boyfriend with almost the same difficult hair color and she seemed to know exactly how she could set the fluence based not on what the book said or whoever trained her, but how my skin reacted—she experimented at different settings and liked to see just a touch of red swelling --she also didn’t mind if I felt a bit of pain; the results of the first treatment were as follows: absolutely 100% hairless skin afterwards but a bit red and inflammed for a couple of days with some scabbing— and absolutely no regrowth for over 2 months. –incidentally, she went with 49 joules but adjusted down a couple of joules around the clavicle.
I thought it was interesting and very encouraging but a bit pricey and I’d see what happened long term–After 5 or 6 months or thereabouts, much of the hair grew back (80%?), but it was noticeably less dense relative to my back and shoulder—thus the motivation to try it once again—this time I thought I’d save some money and go to one of the larger “chains” in California (they charged $400+ for the backs and shoulders—pretty standard pricing I see all through Los Angeles—versus about $1200 for one treatment (back and shoulders) at the first office I was at. I figured that since they had the same laser, I would get the same results—WRONG—the first treatment at the chain was done at 30 joules even though I told them how effective my first treatment was at 49—the tech responded that it sounded way too high and they would build me up to a higher fluence as we moved forward—I said O.K., you are the experts—needless to say, I felt absolutely nothing and had full regrowth in 2-3 weeks—I went back in (at no charge) and she did what seemed like a reasonably effective treatment in the 47 range. Next treatment, different tech—not very experienced—these 40+ numbers seemed to frighten them because they were concerned that they would burn my skin. She lowered the setting to 43?—it seemed very ineffective, not much smell of burning hair and much of my hair remained. Anyway, they again comped a session but this time was with their most experienced tech—she used compression and a 48 joule setting and it seemed somewhat effective, although lots of fine hair did not respond. Side effects from this chain include some very minor patches where the hair is not uniform relative to my whole back.
The lesson I have learned is the choice of technician is critical. For my next treatment, I am going to shell out the cash and find that first tech (I was told she moved to another city)—my hair color is tricky and I want a tech who can make judgment calls based on experience. The other techs had little experience and no instinct; it was all out of a book and/or from a trainer.
I would be interested in hearing other experiences in terms of how each of you measures the short-term effectiveness of a LightSheer treatment. In your experiences, does your skin become completely hairless from the treatment (either then or over the course of the next few days) or do you feel a stubble from the remaining hair? Now that I think about it, the first tech explained to me beforehand that my skin would be completely completely hairless, not even fine hair-- and with her treatment, she was correct.
Amount and duration of redness afterwards?
Time to regrowth?
Time between treatments? Both offices recommended 10-12 weeks between treatments. The first one sent me home with ice packs, the 2nd one said ice packs were not to be used??
What does the manufacture say about these issues (totally hairless after a treatments?)
Comments and experiences would be welcomed!
thanks for the great info exchange!
