SK:N Clinic, London - Help

Hair Removal Methods Laser hair removal
#1

Hi guys

Having read quite a bit on the forum so far I have decided to take the plunge and have laser hair removal on my underarms. I went for a consultation and patch test at SK:N clinic in London which is one of the bigger chains in the UK.

The lady told me that I was Type IV and should respond well to treatment as the hairs were dark. The patch test did not hurt (hardly) and there was a smell of burning hair at the end - is this normal? I also asked her at the end of treatment which settings she used/would use for the treatment. This is what she scribbled down:

  • Machine: Alexandrite 755, GentleLASE
    She wrote down 15 x 10, 12, 14 - I assume this means spot size: 15 and Joules of 10 going up to 12 then 14?
    Rep: 15
    8 sessions, 6 weeks apart

Any feedback on the above would be much appreciated! I asked whether it is usual to have a package of 8 rather than 6 - she said that this is something they have changed recently I think so I need to take 8 out but if I don’t need any more sessions after 6 I can use the 2 for something else…

#2

Strange. Type IV with a GentleLASE?

Should be being treated with a YAG I think.

#3

She said Type IV can take a GentleLASE as well…is that not true? Help - I don’t want to get any burns…

I didn’t have any issues during the patch test though. I am Chinese if that helps with the fitzpatrick typing?

#4

It can on low settings but then those settings may not be strong enough to permanently damage the hair.

YAG works well on coarse hair as well. I imagine they only have an Alexandrite, which is why they are using it on you.

The test patch should hurt a little bit, the treatments should really hurt quite a bit.

#5

If you can’t handle at least 16J on 18mm safely, then you need a Yag laser. No point of treating with low settings - that won’t get you permanent results. Best to treat at highest settings you can handle from the start. You’ll need fewer treatments that way.

You probably won’t need to go in that often. Most people need to go in 8-12 weeks.

#6

Ok thanks. Should I be going for a clinic with a Yag laser instead then? And which settings should I be asking for? Thanks for your help everyone!

#7

Skin type IV is in between. You need to ask to test you at 16J on 18mm. If your skin can handle it, then you should use that. If not, then you need to find a Yag. We can’t recommend settings over the internet. Skin types are approximate. They need to test you to figure out the max YOUR skin can handle. You can post settings here and we can tell you if they seem aggressive enough.

#8

I’ve decided to go with another clinic instead as I was more comfortable with the level of service provided. They have recommended a Lightsheer Diode instead as I am fair with black hairs and the technician mentioned this would be more effective on me than the YAG.

Settings were 24-26 Joules, although I forgot to ask for the spot size and fluency. Area to be treated is the underarms.

Will this work for my skin?

#9

Hello, just an update on my treatments. After ditching SK:N I decided to go with Renew Medica after a good consultation and patch test with them as I was more confident about the technique and experience of the technician (she has worked there for over 5 years). I came back from my first treatment today, details below:

Machine: Lightsheer Diode XC
Setting: Spot size: 12mm, Pulse: 22

Started on 24J which was fine, then went up to 26J. I was also patch tested for 28J for my next session. It was a sting at 24J but my skin didn’t go too red so the technician went up to 26J which hurt but I could bear it. The skin was taking it well so she test patched me for 28J for the next appointment. The pain was a more searing but to be honest I find Hollywood waxing much more painful than underarm laser so although it was painful I wouldn’t say it was anything I couldn’t take. That said, I think I have a fairly high pain threshold.

So far I’m pleased with the treatments and the skill of the technician as she seemed to be very knowledgeable and was doing the technique properly (compression and sliding?)

Am a little concerned about others who have said that a Yag is still better for my skin type but can report back on shedding in the next two weeks…

I have signed up for a follow up appointment in 6 weeks time.

No pressure to sign up to a package or to buy any products. Excellent service all round and I’m off to a good start.

#10

That’s a good machine and decent settings, as long as they know how to use the machine well, which it seems they do. If your skin can handle those settings, then you don’t need a Yag. This will be fine too.

Let us know how shedding goes in 3 weeks.

6 weeks is too soon if all goes well. You shouldn’t have enough hair yet to treat then.