Newbie looking for LHR (MN)

Hair Removal Methods Laser hair removal
#1

Hello, everyone.
I am in the process of looking for a center to do my lazer removal on underarms, brazilian bikini and legs (probably only lower, because upper are pretty fine and light). I am fair skinned with green eyes and dark hair, burn easily, don’t tan easily. Probably a type II-III.

I have read the FAQ and have a few questions about what type of laser would be best for me. Right now I am focusing in on the alexandrite and have found a couple of places that use the GentleLase. I am going in for a consultation at each of these places this week.

I am also wondering about LightSheer Duet - saw a few places around the Twin Cities area that use this laser. Should I try this one as well, or it the GentleLase better for my skin type? I guess I am not completely sure what this Duet is - a diode? How about GentleMAX?

Thanks to everyone in advance for your answers.

#2

Between all of those, they’re all good and the difference will depend on the clinic’s experience and how they set settings. You want someone fairly aggressive with settings.

GentleMAX is a combo machine with alexandrite and Yag capabilities in one, so it’s fine for you as well.

#3

So basically, when I go in for my consultations I should find out

  1. their experience with the machine
  2. what’s the max settings they would use on me

Anything else?

#4

That should be good. Ask for spot size, pulse width and joules settings.

#5

Went in for a test at one place today. The settings that they used were 18mm size, 18J setting, 80 spray with a delay of 90. Gotta say, it was definitely painful. She did the outer bikini as a spot. Would I be safe turning that down a bit or should I use a numbing cream + take an Advil beforehand?

#6

Those are good settings if they’re using pulse width of under 20J (lowest is 3ms). No need to use anything lower if your skin can handle it just fine. You want results, right?

Yes, you can use a numbing cream.

#7

Thank you, LAgirl! You have been of great help!

#8

I am a bit confused, maybe you could tell me who you’d pick in this situation. Need to pick between 2 places.

Clinic 1. Esthetician with 10 years experience with GentleLase. Good prices. Spa setting.
Prices: Lower leg - $300, brazilian - $200, underarm - $100. Pay per treatment, 5th treatment free. Will adjust pricing when less hair is left to remove.

Clinic 2. RN with 8+ years laser experience. Dr. on staff. Prices are a bit higher. One office operates diode, the other - GentleLase. The GentleLase office only on Wednesdays. Will apply a numbing cream that’s stronger than EMLA for free. Free touch-ups for missed areas if contacted within a week or so from treatment. Medical office setting.
Prices: Underarm (pack of 5) $690, then $100/ea; brazilian (pack of 5) $1045, then $125/ea; lower leg (pack 5) $1300, then $200/ea. Each package 10% off with purchase of another.

I am tempted to go with the second one for the numbing cream and medical expertise, but I am nervous about the fact that I could only go there on Wednesdays vs pretty much any day at the other place. Plus, the other place has a more comfortable spa setting and lower prices. But at the first place, the esthetician didn’t know about 8-12 weeks break for laser treatments, she was saying 4-6 weeks, which is typical break between waxings (which she also does). But she was very willing to do as I wanted.

As far as settings, both are willing to do high settings if I can handle it.

What would you do if you were me?

#9

Both places are really expensive, I’d never pay $100 for underarms, I’ve paid $60 at 3 different places now. RN and Doctor means nothing, it’s the experience that matters. 8 or 10 years experience, it’s not that much if they’re only doing it on a Wednesday. The reason it’s done Wednesdays only is most likely because they just rent their machine from another clinic and have it delivered each Wednesday and then pack all their appointments in that day. My previous clinic did that, except they were the one renting their machine to other places. The first place sounds better, if the 5th session is free then underarms are technically only $80 per session.

You would only need numbing cream maybe on the bikini but you wouldn’t need it on legs or underarms. That much EMLA on your legs would cost a fortune and I don’t think you’re even supposed to use that much at once. Unless you have 0 pain tolerance you wouldn’t need it. I’d stick with the first place, don’t worry about their 4-6 week thing just tell them you’ll book when you’re ready.

#10

Thanks, edokid!
It turns out that the first place is open Tues-Sat until 6-8pm. And I have found some 4% lidocaine creams online for less than EMLA. So I am definitely thinking that the first place is the one I should go with.

Do you know anything about this cream: Res-Q
http://www.amazon.com/Satin-Smooth-Analgesic-Topical-Lidocaine/dp/B001L15304/ref=sr_1_cc_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1296491488&sr=1-3-catcorr

or

LIDO 4%:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000S09T7W/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=A2H5B2ZO5OI7LQ

#11

Out of those, I’d lean towards going with the first one. The no-commitment policy tells me they’re confident in their skill. Also, you won’t know what was missed only a week after the treatment, so you can’t do a touchup then…so that benefit becomes a bit useless.

You probably also won’t use the numbing cream much after the first few times when the hair is less coarse and dense.

#12

That’s what I was thinking as well, a week after treatment you wouldn’t know if anything was missed, it wouldn’t be until 2-3 weeks after that you’d know anyway. So it’s sort of a scam saying 1 week guarantee!

I’ve never heard of them, I have a 5% lidocaine spray I bought online that works a bit but you have to keep it on forever. I tried EMLA on my upper lip for the first time last treatment at my new place. I put it on with saran wrap while driving 15 mins to the appointment. It was completely numb by the time I got there!

#13

Thanks guys!!!

#14

Going to my first session today. I will let you know how it goes

#15

So I went on 2/11 and blogged about it in my blog, but forgot to write about it here.

I did 3 areas - lower leg, underarms and brazilian bikini (in that order). There were some areas on the legs where it was painful, but nothing too bad. The underarms were covered with a numbing cream about 30 minutes prior, so it wasn’t bad at all, either. The bikini area, on the other hand, hurt like a …
The front area hurt so much more than anything between the legs. It felt like hot needles (felt like that everywhere, but I could barely handle it on the bikini). My settings were 18J and 18mm head with the cooling spray turned up to 105. After each treatment, the technician would cover the area with a cool washcloth, that helped ease the discomfort. Next time I will definitely apply the numbing cream before heading to the salon and wrap tightly with saran wrap, because a 30 minute unwrapped application didn’t do much to take away the pain.

Right after the treatment, the areas, especially the bikini, looked pink and bumpy, it later subsided and only red dots remained. The next day there was no redness, but sensitivity to hot water. Tried to shave the areas, but can’t get a close shave, they’re still quite stubbly. Can’t figure out if anything is growing or starting to shed, the stubble seems to have remained the same over the past week.

Going back in 10 weeks.

#16

The numbing cream may be more effective if you leave it on for longer. I don’t know which you’re using, but people report here leaving EMLA on for about an hour for a good effect.

I wouldn’t shave right now. Just let it go and see how shedding goes. Shaving can prevent some hairs from shedding faster.

#17

So I am shedding, it’s quite fascinating, really :slight_smile:
Started shedding exactly a week after the procedure, the bikini area is the most apparent. Had to shave my underarms to wear a dress this weekend, but otherwise haven’t touched a razor except the day after the procedure.
Will see how the shedding proceeds and then call the spa if I notice missed areas.

#18

I am using LIDO 4% http://www.hairproducts.com/view_product_BEA-LID100.htm
The aesthetician was commenting how she could feel it working on her gloves after applying it on me.

#19

People here often mention that the directions are conservative on many creams and they feel it works better when left on longer.

#20

BTW, I have seen a discussion on whether to tip for this service and the consensus was not to tip. However, this takes place in a salon-spa and when i was checking out, the front desk lady asked me if I’d like to add a tip. Flustered, I said, of course and left $20. But then I thought about it and got even more confused. They were offering a 20% discount that month that came to $120 for the services I received. So if I had left her a 20% tip, it would have been the same $120. Obviously, I wouldn’t leave her such an enormous tip. But the $20 seems so minuscule… On the other hand, if I had received waxing services, it would have been about right.

What is your thought on this?