I have been posting here every now and then, but reading the posts more often.
I will be having my full back and hopefully shoulders treated with a collglide laser. During my consultation, I was told that I am skin type 3. The tests patches didn’t hurt at all, even at a setting of 44(Joules?). She said the highest she tends to go is about 55. I have yet to ask what spot size and pulse will be used.
I will be having my first treatment this week and I am rather nervous, I am sure it will hurt in certain places even though the test patches didn’t hurt at all! Any advice or tips are welcomed.
I have posted pictures of my back including a photograph of the test patch which has started to grow (Was done on 17th Feb)
Test patch image of Lower back (I think you have to click on the images to enlarge them) ](ImageShack - b1kw6.jpg)[/img]
I am just wondering what your opinion is on the outcome of having the top (Near shoulders) and sides of my back lasered , the hairs appear lighter and finer in the photos but are more noticable to the eye, I may ask for a diode laser for these areas.
I will post here again tomorrow as it’s getting rather late!
all of the hair in the pictures above is very fine. I doubt Coolglide will work on them, even at very low pulse. If you really want to try treating those, you need to go with an alexandrite laser like GentleLASE and use high settings; AND I would only try that on your lower back. You are light enough for it, so not sure why you’re going with Coolglide in the first place. I don’t think you will be happy with the “results”
The hair on the sides is definitely too fine for laser in general. I would leave that to electrolysis altogether since laser can activate more follicles to grow there and these to become darker and more prominent.
Your pictures are a perfect example of someone who is not a very good candidate for laser in my opinion and you might do more bad than good by having these treatments. I would do electrolysis all the way on these. I understand you might want to go ahead and “try” regardless, just be aware that you are taking a chance and be willing to risk the money you will be spending. So that if you don’t get the results you are looking for, you will know why and can look back on it in a better light.
I’m quite shocked, although I am aware that the hair was quite fine, but didn’t consider them too fine…strange though because it really does bother me and it’s very noticable from a distance! Another thing which suprised me was the fact that I am light enough for an Alex! I assumed that since I sort of have light brown skin, the Alex would be a ‘no no’! Hmm does the Alex Gentle Lase hurt a lil more than the Coolglide???
Electrolysis on the whole back is just something I wouldn’t consider but would for small sections. I think I will book a consultation with a clinic that uses the Alex. It’s a shame that I am not the ideal candidate for laser but I am willing to try it! As for the sides, I will leave that alone, they don’t bother me a great deal as the back.
Could I ask why you suggest I use the high settings only on the lower back and not the top? If it’s worth mentioning, I would be happy if I got something like 40-50% reduction and with the rest fo the heair turning blonde or vry light brown.
lagirl, THANK YOU SO MUCH This information really means a lot to me.
high settings should be used on all areas you’re treating. all lasers at effective settings hurt. you should be ice to reduce the pain. but your concern should be most effective treatment, not least painful one. also, have them do test patches to see how high you can go on settings.
Oh definitely! I am willing to put up with the pain, I just don’t want to be shocked as to how painful it will be!!! So, I will go as high as my skin will allow me, it’s just that I assumed in consideration to my skin and hair type it was recommened that I only use high setting on the lower part of my back; “…use high settings; AND I would only try that on your lower back.”!
I have booked some other consultations and I am looking forward as to how that goes. I have to say that when I booked an appointment at one of the laser places (Not sure whether to reveal the name of the place!), the receptionist was rather rude, but the place is fully booked right up to mid March. But at the end of the day she won’t be treating me. I am also booking at Sk:n, since they have both a Gentle:Yag and GentleLase, they are yet to get back to me.
I think it is safe to say, you have saved me from making a big mistake! It scares me to think what my outcome would’ve been if it hadn’t been for you or this forum.
Tahnk You,
(Still shocked and happy about my skin type- I can use an Alex, as that is what I initailly wanted to choose)
have consultations and see what they say. either way, GentleYAG is a better Yag if it turns out you’re too dark for effective settings on GentleLASE (it doesn’t hurt to try first).
