Neither one of those options is a good one. I wouldn’t spend ANY money on them. Why spend thousands of dollars on something that’s not ideal? Find a better clinic with a better machine and spend more or even less and treat less areas if needed, but actually get results.
All consumers who actually reported seeing some sort of results with the Soprano on this forum said that it’s just as painful if not more painful than the other machines.
Thank you so much, LA Girl.
Just wanted to let you know that we chose a derm. clinic in Spokane (5-hour drive) that uses a gentleLASE. They said they would most likely have to start on lower settings for my wife because she is a III - IV skin type (our guess).
I’ll keep you posted aout what settings she uses. As i’ve read in one of your other post 16j at a 18mm spot size is as low as you want to go and still get reasonable outcome.
So, if i understand corectly if her skin can’t handle this level or higher then she should go with a yag Laser?
They are going to do a spot test a couple hours before our main appt time. Should we ask the tech to go up to this level to see how her skin reacts?
thank you again!!!
Hoy YAH!! (kungfu out!!)
Yes, you are correct. If she can’t handle that setting, then go to a Yag. There is no point of treating at a lower level than that on GentleLASE if you want permanent results.
One more Question…LAGirl,
Should she expect them to try 16j - 18mm spot size on the first attempt (and/or when they do the test spots), or is this a level that they will have to work up to over time?
If she DOESN’T feel pain should she ask to go up?
Thanks again
([BOW IN RESPECT] kung fu out!!!)
There is no need to “work up” to that. She should be able to handle it from the start. The absolute lowest should be 14j/18mm.
She’ll feel pain on those settings on any coarse hair. Don’t worry 
She may even decide to use a numbing cream next time. haha.
Ignore my comment on your other post. Didn’t realize this was by the same person. Try to keep the entire story and all questions in one thread!
Hello
This Friday Dec. 18th is the big day for LHR, and I have a few questions.
WHAT IS THE SUGGESTED AMOUNT OF TIME PRIOR TO APPT FOR SHAVING?
I’ve read that hydration is important for electrolysis. Is this also true for LASER hair removal?
I am a swimmer, how long untill I can get back into a swimming pool or hot tub?
Any other advise or sugestions?
We are excited and a little nervous, and would like to thank everyone for their input and expertise. HairTell is a awesome place!!!
Thanks, I’ll keep you posted!!!
Aaron (Hoy Yah) Out!!!
Usually 1-2 days prior. You want just a tiny bit of stubble so they can see where to treat.
It can’t hurt, but I wouldn’t worry too much about that.
I would give it at least 3 days. You’ll be able to tell by the reaction of your skin. Once the slight irritation subsides, you’re good to go.
Good luck Don’t stress too much. Buy pure clear aloe vera and witch hazel. Cool them and apply a couple times a day afterwards.
Life is like a box of chocolates…
The Absolutly strangest thing happened this morning. I called Inland Empire Dermotoligy Clinic (Spokane, WA)to make sure that Sarah their tech would be able to do a spot test a couple hours before our appoitment. However she was with a client and was to return my call. About fifteen minutes later I got a call, not from her but Dr. Ross (The md at the clinic).
He said, “I’m just letting you know we will not be able to help you”.
Confused, I said what?
He said they wouldn’t be able to acomodate us because we were comming from across the mountain (4 hour drive) to come to his clinic, and that we were taking up such a large block of time and that it would be hard on Sarah to handle such a long block of time. He continued to say that we should look for a clinic closer to our house on our side of the mountain.
I explained that we had and chose them because thay have a better pricing structure and that we had heard great things about their clinic, and that we have found no one with an a la carte pricing structure, and that we could only find clinics that sold in “packages”.
I also added that my wife (a third grade teacher) had already got a sub and added, what if we had booked a flight we would be stuck.
He did not seem to care. His final answer was, “sorry I hope you figure something out, but we will not be able to help you”.
When I booked the apoitment I let Sarah know where we were comming from, what we wanted done and she was wonderful to talk to. She shared no concern to what Dr. Ross had mentioned in his conversation with me and seemed excited to have new clients. I told her I found out about them on hairtell, and explained about the site, she seemed intreaged.
I know the world will keep turning, but I must say, I’m stumped over this one.
Hoy yah!! I guess I got the beat down on this one!!!
I’ll let you know our next move when that time comes.
I think Vancouver B.C. there is a clinic there that uses an alex laser that also has Yag.
Thats all I have to say about that!!
kUNG FU AARON OUT!!!
Sad to say, many times, if you mention HairTell, you will have your appointment canceled, as people get a little antsy about their work being scrutinized, and reported on to the public.
I don’t really get it, as there is nothing stopping the average client from plastering praise, or condemnation all over the internet.
Most of the discussions about practitioners on this site is overwhelmingly positive. Even in cases where the person has some flaws, the community here goes a long way to say, “she or he does great work with what they have, but it makes one wonder how much better it would be if that practitioner had a better machine”, or what ever the hold back might be.
You’re near Settle, right? There are lots of clinics in the area.
http://www.candelalaser.com/patients/index.cfm?task=practSearch
Here’s Candela’s provider locator. GentleMAX is their machine that has both alex and yag in one.
You can also look for anyone using an Apogee Elite machine which is another combo laser by another manufacturer.
Some clinics with GentleMax in Mount Vernon, WA:
Little Mountain Laser
Rosario Skin Clinic
Btw, you don’t have to be so honest with them (apparently, that doesn’t work very well here) and can still go there. You can easily call and make another appt under whatever name. They don’t know you. Don’t give them any details about yourself. It’s not something they ask. You’re not having any abnormal treatments in any case. The areas you’re getting treated would take 1-2 hours and your wife’s just 15-30 mins at most.
The time has come. This next weekend we travel to the Great North, Canada and there we will visit the “hair destroyer”. They will be using the amazing Cynosure Elite and rid my wife and I (in the next 12 months or so) of most our unwanted hair.
This time I was careful not to mention Hairtell forum we will let you know how it goes!
Hoy Yah!!!
My wife started Electrolysis on her chin (just a hand full of hairs at any time because she has been tweezing) and decided she would add her toes. She said it hurt (only on toes), “like holy hell”, and could only handle the pain for a short time. The tech (using blend) said that maybe they will only be able to do a small amount each session on this area. MY QUESTION IS should she just add this area to our laser visit first then follow up with electrolysis? If her toes are that sensitive is laser gonna hurt like “holy hell” in that area too?
and about the chin… Given the fact that she has been tweezing the hairs and only has a small amount at any time would she be better off waiting for more to grow in before each session? The tech was done with her chin in less than 10 minutes and the tech charges by the half hour (hence the toes).
Whacha think
aaron
In my experience, laser will hurt far more than electrolysis (unless they offer numbing cream I suppose). If electrolysis is that painful for her, I certainly think you need to get a topical numbing cream for the area. That’s pretty common, and may electrologists offer it if you can’t get your own (the galvanic operator I know has a spray-on one for example).
Toes are a very sensitive area, surprisingly. Plucking hair from a big toe hurts me more than my legs or bikini line, so it makes sense that toes would be uncomfortable. Don’t let it interrupt your progress. If her toe hair is reeeeally coarse and black, you could try a clearance with laser, but it will cost more than electrolysis and MOST of the hair is probably not coarse enough for it to work.
Regarding her chin: Waiting a couple weeks for some more to fill it is probably fine, but don’t wait much longer than that. And definitely stop plucking immediately in case she hasn’t yet (sorry if I’m repeating what you know). What did your electrologist recommend? I hate to say this, but I think 10 minute treatments are just the nature of electrolysis. Once an area has relatively few hairs, the treatments don’t take long, and that happens to EVERYONE. My electrologist lets me buy a block of time, and deduct whatever amount I need from the total (so I don’t have to buy it in 15 or 30 minute increments). Ask if yours is willing to do that. Otherwise, I think many people just throw in additional areas to fill up the remaining time or swallow the cost. shrug
Because L.A.S.E.R. only works for coarse hairs, and even then one doesn’t know what amount or form of reduction one will get, L.A.S.E.R. on the toe hair would very likely be a poor investment.
As for electrolysis treatment on the toes, like anything else, the first time is the worst time, and then we have to convince you to come back. The reclearances get easier, as there is less hair to do, spread farther apart, and often the treatment energy can be turned down as the future visits progress. It would be nice if your operator could fiddle around a little with the settings to find something a little more comfortable for you. Just understand your nervous system is designed to give you feedback in relation to the importance of the area being accosted. In this case, the toes are pretty much bones wrapped in skin and connective tissue. There is very little between one’s skin and the bone there. It will be just like the difference between doing hairs on the cheek as opposed to the jawline, or worse, the spine, or ribs.
As for the time issue, in this business, you are essentially selling your time. Many of your clients are in a place where they only need a small amount of actual treatment time. (I have had clients come in for 3 hairs) Although we want to charge you for treatment time only, the reality is that we devote lots of time on you. From preparing the treatment area, to the previous sterilization of tools, greeting you, hearing about the cute thing your kid did this week, oh, yeah, the actual hair removal and post treatment, the post hair removal conversation, booking your next appointment, and cleaning up the place and setting up for the next person. A 15 minute appointment always exceeds 15 minutes of our time. That’s why busy practices are frequently (dare I say usually) behind schedule. As the day goes further, being 5 minutes behind, becomes being 15 minutes behind and possibly 30 minutes behind be the end of the day.
Many practitioners would be fine with a prepayment of time, and they deduct your actual treatment time for these 5 to 15 minute sessions. Others have different fee structures, but would still have some way of accommodating your request.
Toes are very sensitive. Try plucking the hair. It hurts - a lot! It’s just the nature of that area. Laser is only an option if she has coarse pretty dense hair there. Otherwise, electrolysis is the only option. Have you tried using numbing cream?
The best thing to do with facial hair is to shave for a couple weeks. Then come in. Then clip or shave for another week or so. At the beginning, it’s best to get treatments at least every 2 weeks because you have to kill hair in anagen phase of growth.
Yes, toes and fingers are sensitive, but there are things that can be done to help the sensation issue. Does your electrologist press above the insertion to dull the impulse to your brain? A little ice pack above the area may help along with some Advil 1.5 hours before the treatment begins. The better forms of thermolysis are helpful. PicoFlash thermolysis or Multiplex on some Apilus models would help, but a skilled electrologist is your best bet for doing this area.
Laser won’t help the toes. Many of those hairs are too thin and there are a lot of white, bulby roots in the beginning treatements. ELectrolysis is the way to go.
Anyone who is a diabetic should not have their toes treated due to circulation issues and neuropathies that go along with diabetes.
Dee
We did it!!! It really hurts like H-E Double Hockey Sticks (L-L)!!! I did abs, chest, back, shoulders and full arms. Sometimes I wouldn’t feel anything, but most the time,–OH MY Goodness-- especially where the hair is thicker and more dense. We got some EMLA numbing cream and used it, but only on my chest and stomach (it is very expensive- would have bought more [a tub full] in retrospect- and works very well!!!) You could really tell where you missed coverage W/ the numbing cream (Holy s**t). Now the bad news I could only handle 20 joules on a 15mm spot size on the cynosure elite. I tried to “man-up” but truly that is all I could handle. However, it was poppin’, snappin",Zappin’ and stinkin’ all at the same time. A lot of hairs are pepper- spottin’ out already. I believe these are the hairs that were just waiting to come out (not in growth phase) but its fun to see some progress!!!
Need to go apply MORE Aloe Vera!!!
Thanks Ya all!!!
Hoy Yah!!
Kungfu out!!!
Congrats! Hurts like heck, right? I never use numbing cream, and there were times when I was sure I’d have to take a break, because it hurt so badly.
I can’t understand how anyone can say electrolysis hurts more than that.
It depends the machine that you’re using for laser. Electrolysis hurts way more than the Soprano XL.
Almost every day i have new clients coming because they can’t handle the pain with other machines.
Oh really? Does it have a special cooling or numbing mechanism or something? Searing the follicles in large quantities generally seems like it would hurt more than catering appropriate energy to suit each hair, and only doing one at a time. Especially since I can’t even FEEL electrolysis at all (seriously, with picoflash I didn’t even know the lady had started, I kept asking her if she was sure it was turned on).
How new is the Soprano XL? Is it alexandrite? Is it suitable for fair people with dark hair, like me?