*****PLEASE ADVISE RE: GENTLEMAX PRO SETTINGS*****

Hair Removal Methods Laser hair removal
#1

Hi everyone!
I’m looking for a little advice and guidance!
I’m having treatment using the GentleMax Pro Laser (755 nm Alexandrite laser with 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser)

Here are my pre-op pictures. I was spot tested on the Yag at 16, 18, and 20 joules

Pre-Op Pictures

I was told that even though my skin is pale, since I am of Middle Eastern descent, I therefore have olive undertones and MUST be treated on the Yag because studies have shown the Alexandrite will burn me (is this true???)
I have had one treatment at
pulse width 10 ms
fluence 22 joules/cm2
spot size 18 mm
and I don’t see my hair growing out slower or falling out (except for on my pubic area where the hair is still growing, but maybe 40% of it has fallen out).

Should I be seeing hair falling out on the other areas?
Are these settings too low? (the pain was tolerable during treatment that I had)
Should I be on Alexandrite?

Thank you in advance!

#2

I am not a laser specialist, but I do know that the alexandrite is not the laser for you. Yag is a better choice and that is what your specialist has rightly said.

Some of those areas has hair that does not look appropriate for laser reduction. The hairs are too fine.

Will you come back and let us know how successful you were? I have my doubts and cautions are dancing around in my head, but again, I am not a laser specialist and people do respond differently.

#3

Thank you, I appreciate your advice :slight_smile:
Can anyone else chime in?

#4

Underlying pigment can make the alex more likely to burn, yes, so the YAG is safer. The settings aren’t bad. They’re not super high but they’re pretty decent and within the recommended range for the GentleYAG.

The underarms, legs, and maybe the arms I’d expect good reduction. The hair on your back is too fine for the laser. You will need electrolysis for that

#5

Thank you for your input :slight_smile:
Is GentleMax Pro (by Candela) = GentleYAG? Same device?
I have had one treatment so far. Do you think I should not do the lower back and glutes? Would I end up with thicker/more hair if I continue treatment?

The legs have had almost NO reduction in amount of hair or speed of growth and almost no shedding.
I can’t see a difference in my lower back and glutes.
Arms, underarms and extended bikini (mostly in the bikini) I see shedding and slower hair growth.

I just had my 2nd treatment today. The areas were underarms and bikini. The settings were:

pulse width 10 ms
spot size 18 mm

fluence 22 joules/cm2 on underarms
and 20 on bikini

any feedback would be appreciated :slight_smile: Thanks everyone!

#6

I have read about different cooling systems that come with lasers. How does the cooling system affect hair removal? Or does it just impact you chances for getting burned? Or how high you can go on the settings?
Because I read that cryogen cooling has been shown to not be good for Middle Eastern skin, and lasers with continuous cooling systems should be used.

Anyone know anything about this?

#7

Cryogen at low pulse width is counter productive but not at 10 msc pulse width. I would go higher on energies.

#8

I agree with Romeo.

#9

Could you take a look at my pre-op pictures in the first post. Do you think I will get results in all areas? Are there areas where I shouldn’t treat bc I’ll end up with more hair than what I started with? What do you think abt the GentleMax Pro (by Candela) that I’m using for my skin type?
Thank you!!

#10

I just had my 2nd legs and arms treatment and my 3rd brazilian (bbx) and underarm treatment.
Lower legs at 22 18 10
Upper legs 22 18 5
Arms 26 15 5
Underarms 24 15 5
Bbx & lower back 22 18 5

Why is my looking darker than before, and growing just as fast as before any laser treatments??

Is it that Yag isn’t working for me? Should I be on Alex? These settings seem relatively high and I’m not seeing any results! :(( Please help!!

#11

Alex is a better laser yet, but because your underlying pigment, you may not be able to handle high settings on it despite looking paler. It’s really a safety issue.

You’ve only 2 treatments on most areas? It takes about 3-4 before you start to see a noticeable difference. The settings aren’t bad though I feel you could probably go a little higher safely. You’re also treating some areas that laser won’t help – your lower back hair is so fine that laser isn’t going to make a difference there. That’s an area you need electrolysis for, so don’t expect to see any reduction there.

#12

Thank you for your response Brenton.
Can I alternate between Yag and Alex? Is that a good idea?