Test patch done - Worried

LaserQ_s · September 22, 2011, 9:50am

Hello everyone,

I went for a test patch last Tuesday - so this is the 3rd day. LighSheer Diode was used on me with 22j. I am Middle Eastern and the lady told me my skin is considered light (she didn’t specify which type, though)

It was painful but maybe it’s because she didn’t use the cooling air since it was just a test. The area then got red and slightly swollen. Now it’s day 3 and I feel like the area is SLIGHTLY darker than how it used to be. It’s very minor that not everyone can see it - and most people still think it’s redness and not a brown color. However, I think it’s a very light brownish color.

Is this normal? Could this mean that the settings were too strong?

LaserQ_s · September 24, 2011, 11:44am

Any thoughts?

I attached a picture to demonstrate - in hopes someone could let me know if this is normal or not. This picture was taken a few hours ago.

According to the Fitzpatrick Skin test, I’m a type III(Middle Eastern).

Thanks!

qwerty Attachments

ayshachaudhary · September 24, 2011, 11:49am

This looks normal to me. It looks like redness around the follicles.

The skin of the arms especially seems to be affected more. My sister is Type IV and on the back of her hands and wrist, the area would be dark and dry for many weeks after treatment but it does heal.

Try to keep your arms covered from the sun. Do no shave the arms for about 3 weeks to ensure the test patch area sheds of hair.

LaserQ_s · September 24, 2011, 12:05pm

Thank you for your reply!

But I read around this forum that darker/dry patches in results of laser are a sign that the laser type/settings aren’t suitable for the skin even if the side effects are temporary? Which is why I was worried about the laser and the settings used on me, especially that this color will more likely be all over my body when I start my treatments.

ayshachaudhary · September 24, 2011, 12:21pm

I have not read this in my time here. Can you show me the post?

LaserQ_s · September 24, 2011, 12:27pm

I’m not sure where as I’ve been reading a lot of posts and it gets confusing, haha.

But, in LAgirl’s FAQ’s, she states that temporary pigment change is an indication that the laser or settings are inappropriate.

ayshachaudhary · September 24, 2011, 1:11pm

I don’t think I’d class this as a pigment change.

LaserQ_s · September 24, 2011, 3:16pm

This is good to know! Makes me feel better, thanks!

Do you think the settings are aggressive enough? I’m not sure I can handle any more pain, but if it’s required then I’d do it. I’m not sure if it’s the right thing to do since my skin still doesn’t look normal even after 5 days. When I was getting the test patch I was told that if my skin’s reaction is normal - whether it was painful or not - there is room to increase the setting.

Thanks again!

maiselbr · September 24, 2011, 4:01pm

To my knowledge, the recommended settings are 25J+ on the 12mm spot size. Your laser user is right – as long as your skin doesn’t do anything abnormal, you can handle higher. One thing my dermatologist gives me after a laser treatment is some hydrocortisone cream to help with the redness, but I wouldn’t consider what you have a pigmentation change.

If you’re a skin type III, you could also consider getting a test patch done from a place that has a Gentlelase laser and see how it goes.

LaserQ_s · September 24, 2011, 4:43pm

Thank you! My therapist said when I start my treatment she would use a cream (and the cool air to help with the pain) but she wanted to know how my skin would react without these things. She didn’t say I’m a type III, she just said I’m “light” which is a relative term of course. I took the test myself and it turned out I’m a solid type III even though, I’m not sure if you could tell from the picture, I have a beige tint. I read around the forum that Middle Easterns have an underlying pigment of IV even if they seem light. This is why I’m not sure which settings should be used on me.

When I researched, I found that LightSheer Diode settings should be:

III 25 - 35j 30w
IV 20 - 30j 30w

I’m not sure if this is correct. But as long as you guys think my skin’s reaction is normal and it’s not a pigmentation change - I’m sure my therapist will say the same since I’m assuming they would not admit if something’s wrong, I think I should go for a slightly more aggressive treatment.