United Laser Clinics in Chicago

Hair Removal Methods Laser hair removal
#21

Just thought Id give an update. I found a place that is closer to me and is still performed by an RN called http://www.goldcoastmedspa.com/

I went in today and she says she wouldnt use the Alexandrite on me. She feels that the Coolglide YAG Laser is the way to go for me. She gave me test patches for 35 Joules and 40 Joules at 10mm.

The rate is comparable to Lapiel. Its 1000 for 6 treatments for upperlip, neck and chin. I think thats not a bad deal. After the 6th treatment it will be $30-$40-$40.

I said I dont want to lock anything until after the first session to make sure that this is the place for me. She was ok with that. The first session is $200 and I need to pay the balance afterwards. Ill ask her if I can do half and then half on the 4th treatment. I just dont feel comfortable giving up the entire amount ont he second treatment.

The other place is like 30 mins away from me this one is very close thats why im choosing this. The other place wanted to use the diode this one will use the YAG.

#22

If you can handle good settings on an alex, you would get faster and better overall results with it than with a Yag.

It doesn’t really matter if someone is an RN. It matters how much experience and knowledge they have about LHR and with specific laser they’re using.

Those settings are on the low end, especially with such a low spot size and on your skin type that can handle an Alex.

#23

YOu always make me challenge information that is presented to me, I like that. I went to the FAQ to read about how Pulse, spotsize and joules would affect my treatment. Im interested to understand how these three variables impact the success of my treatment. Can you tell me where this is explained before I talk to the RN so im better informed. She did say that we can switch to the Alex after a few treatments.

It is an Altus CoolGlide™ long pulse Nd: YAG

#24

Many people get mad with us here when we say that no credential, no proof of having passed some standardized test can be taken as proof that one practitioner is better than another, and that only getting actual sample treatments, or seeing the results of clients/patients who are completed and happy with their results can possibly show you the actual skill of a practitioner, but it is really the truth. Being an RN doesn’t give her any special knowledge about hair removal. That training is separate (and frequently not equal :wink: ).

#25

There is no advantage to switching to an alex if you can handle treatments with an alex from the start as you will probably need less treatments overall if start with an alex at good settings first and kill as much hair as possible (it’s more powerful).

Run a search for the explanation on how settings impact treatments and read detailed posts by our forum expert, SSLHR.

#26

arfulgencio, how is gold coast med spa going for you? I went for a consultation yesterday and the nurse seemed like she knew what she was doing.
I am between a skin type 4 and 5 (indian skin) and she said that I would defiantly need a 7,8,9,10th treatment on my sideburns, chin, and neck. she would be using the coolglide ng:yag on me.

I also went to la piel for a consultation and she said she would use her diode on me. i tried calling her a couple of times to see if she had a yag, because after reading the posts here, a diode might burn my skin, but she hasn’t returned my calls or email. her place looks nicer than gold coast with more of a spa feel.

Has anyone from the chicago area heard of Thrive med spa? I am thinking of going with them. She said that she was going to use a yag on me starting with 45 J and 33 ms, don’t know spot size.

#27

went to la piel and got a test spot done on me with her diode.

i am a skin type iv to v and her settings were 22J, 30 ms.
the course hairs fell right out.

is this setting too low?

at thrive they will use their cutera coolglide Yag laser at 45 J and 33 ms.

Which should i choose?

#28

I’m thinking you need a Yag for skin type five!

#29

If your skin can handle at least 25J on 30ms on the diode, then you’re fine with the diode. However, please tell us how much of the hair is truly coarse. Whatever is not very coarse will not be affected and can become more coarse after treatments. You shouldn’t need 10 treatments if things are going well. How often would these treatments be?

Have you seen Dr Michael Green usually recommended in Chicago?

#30

my jawline is really coarse (like a man) as well as spots on my chin and neck. My sideburns aren’t AS thick, but they aren’t little fuzzies that a lot of females have either, they grow out really long and relatively thicker.

So do you think that it is better i go with a Yag, because the nurse with the diode said my hair responded really well to 22J on 30 ms and I think she is too afraid to go higher on me because I will burn. I was told to come in for treatments every 5 weeks or so.

Also, can you explain how hair can become more coarse after treatments?

#31

I’m concerned that you may be getting laser induced hair stimulation. Personally, I am not a proponent of women lasing their facial and neck areas. Are you not aware of laser hair stimulation? You could be creating a real mess here.

Have you ever heard of electrolysis?

Dee

#32

Can you post pictures? How much hair do you have? Number of hairs on each area?

As I said, if you can handle at least 25J on a diode, then go with a diode. She can do a test spot. 22J is still somewhat low.

Laser can stimulate MORE growth if treating finer hair, especially at lower settings. Read some stories on the forum. Laser should only be used on DENSE COARSE hair, especially on a woman’s face and with your skin type where induced growth is more common.

#33

i’ve been away fo quite a while, but after the many weepy nights after i was told that my facial hair wasn’t coarse enough for treatment i’ve decided it’s still worth my time and money to do the old bikini line.

I’ve heard the tip for Michael Green and I’ll probably start there. Glad i got out of the hair today, gone tomorrow game before they went belly up. good luck chi girl!! my very best friend is indian and i’ll find out which facial treatment she received, so far it’s worked beautifully.

#34

I’ll try this again. Have you ever heard of electrolysis?

#35

ChicagoHarriet - hair that’s not coarse enough for laser can be treated permanently with electrolysis.

I’m glad you went to a good honest clinic though who actually turned you away. More clinics need to do that.

#36

Well aware of electrolysis. If I get tired of plucking the dark ones, i’d do electrolysis. i literally have a full face of fine (and sometimes darkish if im in harsh light) hair. i’m overwhelmed by the thought of each of the 100s of follicles on my face (which scars easily from things like a zit) being treated one by one.

Now I just have to reread a majority of this forum to make sure i’m asking all the right questions for my bikini laser appointment :slight_smile:

#37

A good electrologist using modern equipment, magnification, and lighting should be able to target that without issues. They have different probe sizes for different size hairs. And thermolysis treats 5-10 hairs per minute.

#38

I can understand your fear about electrolysis and red marks. I finally won the battle with acne, and am still struggling with the scars. The thought of doing that to my delicate face is terrifying, so I’m putting off facial electrolysis (for a little while).

BUT…

Plucking makes hairs worse (unlike shaving) for both the hair you’ve plucked, and neighboring hairs as well. If you aren’t interested in electrolysis, I suggest you shave instead of plucking. As unfun and “manly” as shaving your face sounds, I have never met a woman who didn’t regret plucking facial hair (plucking ten or twenty hairs seems like no big deal, but when it makes dozens or hundreds of dark terminal hairs appear in the future, you’ll have to resort to something else anyway, so you might as well save your face and stop plucking now).

#39

There is a good solution for acne scars these days, they call it skin resurfacing and it’s usually done with a CO2 aided laser.

#40

Not to persuade you personally, Chic-Harriet, but for others reading this, electrolysis is not synonymous with scarring, even for sensitive skin. When done correctly, by a professional electrologist using the best tools, you are not at risk for scarring. Electrolysis scarring is rare. DIY neophytes are at risk for scarring themselves, not the electrologist that is well-trained and maintains a continuing education schedule for herself/himself. For many folks, their electrolysis experience is uneventful and skin manifestations are nil or are short-lived. For many folks, electrolysis is all they have that will work for them. It is literally a life changing experience. I never say it is easy, especially for those who have thick, dense beards or for those with dense fine hair, but it does work if one is consistent and stays the course. Some areas take 9-18 months and some very, very challenging areas may be completed in 2.5 years.

Laser for the bikini line is a good move, so much luck to you.

Dee