Is there anyway to create an easily referenced table with the best recommended lasers and their various settings? I’m hoping the info is readily available…suggestions and other ideas for the table appreciated. Cheers.
For example:
Gentlelase Alex:
@18mm : Max J = 20, recommended min ___, recommended ms = ______
@15mm: Max J = 30, recommended min ___, recommended ms = ______
Same for GentleYag
Same for other popular lasers etc etc
We don’t do this on purpose. There are no standard “recommended settings”. Skin types are approximate and settings have to be tested for each individual and each area being treated.
The only parameters we really ever mention is that you should only use GentleLASE if your skin can handle at least 16J on 18mm spot size and you should only use LightSheer if your skin can handle at least 25 joules with a pulse width of under 30-40J.
I understand. Nevertheless, as mentioned by others in various threads, it may be helpful to know the max of each laser at the various spot sizes and also the absolute acceptable minimum for each laser. Of course, you can always caveat the information with something like: “you should always consult your laser technician or doctor, and always do test spots, etc. etc.”.
Just think this might save you, and others, a lot of time as these questions come up quite frequently.
For example.
Gentlease Alex @18mm. 3msec, Max J = 20, most people don’t see sufficient results below 16J. If skin can’t handle 16J or higher then you need _____ laser instead.
Thoughts?
I don’t mind doing it. But professionals here urge me not to.
I don’t know about anyone else, but I don’t mind you doing it.
Hi:
I think that the spiders have already got a patent on
sticky thread.
Today’s discussion with Chris on the subject:
http://cosmeticenhancementsforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=37394#37394
Alicia – not sure what you mean.
LAgirl:
I had not noticed this thread prior to my posting on the other Site.
blues3214, if you go to the web site of Cynosure, Candela, etc. you will find all the information regarding maximum output on each spot size. If you do not find it, I would not object to the posting of it, as it is public information.
Regarding recommended settings, I am strongly opposed to giving out this info. Recommended settings are generalized, based on skin color but do not take into account many other factors that I do not want to go into.
For example, ( JUST AN EXAMPLE ), although generally speaking, a lower pulse width ( msec ) will give better results, on a YAG setting, a lower pulse width may cause PURPOURA and in some cases
LONG LASTING Hyperpigmentation.
Therefore, I am not eager to share information about pulse widths, settyings, etc. other than REALLY GENERAL PARAMETERS.
I understand the hesitation to list recommended settings. Be that as it may, I do think having a handy little grid for max output on each spot size would be helpful. To that end, I looked on Candela’s site and was only able to find the ranges across all spot sizes (i.e. 12, 15, 18mm) and a huge range of J settings. I did not see the specific J ranges for each spot size and pulse width.
Romeo, not to pry, and with all due respect, why are you hesitant to share the “many other factors”? Given your status as a well respected owner/operator and a trusted member of this forum/board, I think a lot of people would love to read your opinion on what factors are required to achieve successful treatments. Again, my intent is not to offend you at all. I really enjoy your posts and find them forthcoming, which is why I am asking the question in the first place.
Thanks and I look forward to ongoing dialogues on this forum!
Thank you for your kind words.
Gentlelase
18 spot, 20 Joules Max
15 Spot, 30 Joules Max
12 spot, 40 Joules Max
On the other lasers, it varies because they are pulse width adjustable. Therefore, you can not generalize.
If a person has coarse hair, a bigger spot size with a little higher pulse width is recommended. If the hair is finer, then a smaller spot size is recommended with a lower pulse width.
Contrary to popular belief, good results can be achieved with
lower energies.
Ethnicity plays a major role in treatment regimen. We find that we like to treat darker skin at shorter intervals to achieve better results. We also like to do an ALEX/YAG or a YAG/ALEX treatment on a person at the same time. It is for this reason that we have many different lasers.
Regarding GENERAL SETTINGS, we find that there are LOTS of inexperienced operators in the industry who really do not know what they are doing. We do not want anyone to be burning anyone because they read something on a Forum.
That was HairTell Humor, Arh! Arh!
Sticky Thread. Spider Webs. Get it? 
I guess I have made punny humor an ingrained part of the forum. Blame it on me. I naturally take the blame for lots of things 
Chris,
Thanks for the Gentlelase max settings at each spot size. What other machines do you use at your clinic and what are the max settings for those machines?
Thanks for you input in advance.
That’s an impossible question to answer since other machines doesn’t have adjustable spot sizes and fixed pulse widths. Instead, they have fixed spot sizes and adjustable pulse widths. When pulse width is adjustable, there can be very many settings variations. So there isn’t one specific “high”. It depends on the combination you use. One just has to test each particular skin to figure out what the “highest” setting would be based on the fact that generally lower pulse width and higher joules provide better results. Many other machines go down to only 10ms.
We have the only Elite MPX Sequential pulsing laser in New York. This laser fires YAG/ALEX and ALEX/YAG at the same time with one firing. We find that this laser works very well on tough to get rid areas. You can read about it on the Cynosure web site. We have many other lasers as well but the settings vary on based on individual characteristics.
Hey Chris -
Do you know if the GentleLase Limited Edition (which has a max spot size of 15mm) can be “upgraded” to have an 18mm spot size?
I had a laser tech who had one of these machines and it displayed 15mm as the spot size on the lcd display but she said that it had been upgraded to be able to do an 18mm spot…but that it would not show it on the display panel.
Thanks.
To find out if the tech is telling you the truth, just have them put it on a 15 mm spot size setting and then insert the 15 mm distance gauge, see if the beam fills the diameter of the spot size. After that, have them put it on an 18 mm setting, and insert the 18 mm distance gauge, if it fills the whole diameter of the 18 mm distance gauge, then they are correct. If it does not and leaves the area of the 18 mm distance gauge unfilled, then it must not be upgraded. In tech mode, one can see the upgrades.
Romeo
Thank you for your view of the beliefs that lower energies can produce good results. Too often I think we have seen people push for the higher the better. The gentlelase is capable at 10/18, 12/18 etc for a good reason. It works!
There is no benefit to treating at lower settings. What’s the benefit if someone’s skin can handle higher settings?
10j/18mm and 12j/18mm don’t produce permanent results. There is a certain threashhold that neesd to be achieved to heat enough to disable the hair permanently.
I don’t understand your proposition that there is a reason that lower settings are available. There is no way to make a machine that doesn’t have lower settings.
If the skin can handle higher settings, I agree, higher settings will give better results.