New to LHR > gentle-lase and safety

Hair Removal Methods Laser hair removal
#1

Hey guys,
I was thinking about getting LHR on chest & stomach. See my pic below - LOL excuse my big gut but been pigging out and not exercising lately. I Had the hair trimmed a few weeks ago so it’s not at its longest pictured.

Could someone tell me what my skin type is and hair density?

The thing I am paranoid about is hypopigmentation because my skin is already pale as it is and prone to sun damage and anymore would make it worse. The other thing is aesthetics: it might be an all or nothing job - being completely hairless would look weird. But there’s also fine hair off to the sides that might get stimulated growth.

What would you guys recommend for a first time LHR on Gentle-lase? Even though somehtnig low like 12J isn’t effective, would working up gradually to 18J or 20J make it safer on the skin long term?

#2

Based on the picture, laser will love you. Working up gradually won’t help. It just makes the first few treatments worthless. They should start big (i.e. 18mm/16J+). I’m also very pale, was treated at 18mm/16J, and never had any pigmentation issues. You can stop after a few treatments if you’re happy with the reduction. I had fine hair in the same area you’re referring to hit with a laser and didn’t experience any induced growth.

#3

Hi Brenton
My problem is I have quite a few white hairs, middle of the chest that you can’t see in the pic and I’m afraid they would appear coarser than the dark ones that I want regrown finer and lighter. Not sure how that would look aesthetically if the white hairs are more prominent than the pigmented ones.

Wouldn’t starting big (18mm/16J+) mean more chance of total hair follicle destruction, resulting in absolutely no regrowth in many areas? I want finer and lighter colored regrowth, not total elimination.

#4

Sounds like you’re wanting the results this person had? http://www.hairtell.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/105779/Elusive_review_Male_14J_gentle.html#Post105779

You will destroy some hair, but if your tech overlaps properly, you will experience around a 20% even reduction each section. The remaining hair will appear finer and finer each session.

#5

So like that guy should I start at 12J then do 4 or 5 sessions at 14J?

It must be hard to evaluate because you need time to let it grow out to judge it and by that time you might miss an opportunity (cycle) to treat it.

#6

I wouldn’t copy his exact treatment. What your best best to do is start at 16J+/ do a round, see if you like where it’s at a few months after that. If you do, stop. If not, do another session. If your tech hits every area, you won’t have bald spots on your chest that look weird.

#7

After the round how long do I have to wait to see what’s it like?

#8

You’ll see hair growing back around 8 weeks after treatment.

#9

There is no point of undertreating as mentioned. It’s a waste of money. Your skin type is very light. Have the clinic test you, but it shouldn’t be an issue to treat at 16J/18mm without any side effects as long as you don’t expose the skin to the sun.

#10

Hi LAgirl,
Could you set out a treatment plan for hair reduction as bluestreak achieved from the other thread?

He had success at 14J so 16J and higher seems like it might overdo it, completely destroying hair follicles.

#11

I’m really more interested in the lighter colored, finer look, than a hair reduction or removal. Of course I expect there to be some reduction or removal.

#12

There is no “overdoing it”. You should treat at highest your skin can handle. Pigmentation is an issue on dark skin, not pale.

LHR removes hair. It doesn’t create “finer growth” automatically. Remaining hairs may be finer and more sparse, but you can’t guarantee these things. If you want a reduction, get up to 3 treatments spaced 12-14 weeks apart and re-assess each time new hair grows in. Then stop when you feel you don’t want more removed.

#13

Is the “finer growth” outcome a result of the coarser hairs being eliminated leaving only unaffected thinner hairs?

Or are follicles being partially damaged, creating weaker looking hairs?

Or both of the above.

#14

Could be both. No one can predict ahead of time.

#15

If both are possible, then partial follicular damage is why I’d go for the lower setting which I think you’d now agree is fair reasoning.

#16

It’s really your call. I don’t want to bet on these things as it’s not my body.