Quick advice needed before i commit

Hair Removal Methods Laser hair removal
#1

I went for a test patch today here in Northampton England at the laser hair clinic

I’m male, my goal is hair reduction on whole legs. black hair, course and wiry.

They use a Cynosure laser. She checked my skin type first as expected (i’m type 2) and then said she would test me at high settings of 15mm and then she said 20 and 20 as the other 2 values. I don’t know why people say its like an elastic band it hurts way more than that. The skin area targeted looked a little crumpled up afterwards and now has settled with little red dots where the hair grows.

Just one thing i wasn’t sure about - its £55 per 15 minutes and lady said it would take 1 hour, naturally i thought as you might be - missed patches - but they do free touch ups.she did say about coming back in 6 weeks etc but i understand now they all say that.

I tried one place who wanted £500 for whole legs, the local sk:n clinic uses a lightsheer so wasn’t keen on that and 2 others use a Yag laser only.

I felt comfortable at this one, price is cheapest where i live, the machine and settings sound good so…If i shed okay do you think this place is a good clinic to go to?

thanks for your help

#2

Which Cynosure laser? That’s the company name, not the specific model. They make various machines and have both alex and Yag options. Is that 20 joules or 20ms pulse width? You should ask for joules and pulse settings in addition to spot size.

Was the test patch on shaved skin? It should definitely hurt, especially on very coarse dense growth.

Full legs take 1-2 hours to treat.

Let us know how shedding goes within 3 weeks after the test patch.
Free touchups is great.

#3

Thanks for advice - I did make a point of asking about spot size, joules and pulse. She said 15mm for spot size and J & P would both be 20. She did mention one of those could go up to 25 but can’t remember now which.

Oh and when making the appointment the receptionist said the hair on the test area should be just above the skin but i don’t really know what that means…stubble? 1mm?

However the nurse herself doing the test patch said i would need to shave proper before doing a treatment. (i basically trimmed with clippers and then used a mens electric shaver two nights before)

#4

We recommend shaving at home 1-2 days prior.

Are those settings on the alex or the Yag? That’s the question here. They’re not equivalent.

#5

Oh right sorry, its the Alex part(Apogee Elite)she used. She did mention that if i decided to get tanned whilst having laser done, that was fine but she would need to test my skin type again and maybe use the Yag.

So i hope the test numbers sound decent and i’ll be sure to shave properly two days before next time.

p.s I remember lying there thinking wow that would be a really painful 1 hour but at the same time excited to be having test patches as i can get going on LHR soon hopefully and be happier about my body at last. Thanks again ever so much for your help.

#6

If the pulse width they’re using is decent (under 20ms), those are good settings. Good luck and keep us updated on the shedding etc.