Laser Hair Removal?

jmkfpk · Joined: 24 Jan 2005 Posts: 5

Has anyone had laser hair removal done on their face? I've read that people who are olive or darker skin, thick skin etc. the laser leaves blotches on the skin. I've read that its better for people with blonde hairs and fairer skin? Any thoughts on this?

drtodorov · Site Admin Joined: 10 Dec 2004 Posts: 3177

It's true. Some people lose pigmentation in laser treated areas.

Giraffe · Joined: 23 Oct 2005 Posts: 4

I thought coolglide works on dark skin including on black skin.

drtodorov · Site Admin Joined: 10 Dec 2004 Posts: 3177

Melanocytes reside approximately at the junture of dermis and epidermis. If this area is protected from overheating, the pigmentation should not be affected. In theory, lasers like coolglide or cooltough are supposed to protect epidermis from overheating and perhaps presreve pigmentation, but whether they preserve it in practice, and how consisently, I am not sure.

marsto911 · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 122

Hi,

I think laser hair removal is one of the most luxurious treatments, in my opinion. I have such a little amount of hair on my body, I might shave once a month for a few straggler hairs. I had access to a good laser for a few years and would treat myself a few minutes here and there. It was a nice benefit.

I have performed laser hair removal for a couple years. People with olive/brown/black skin are at increased risk of pigmentation problems, even with lasers that are supposed to be used for "everyone." There is always a risk of pigmentation problems, even for light skinned people. I have not seen it on very light light skin, Fitzpatrick scale 1 & 2.

To minimize risk:

1. Go to someone EXPERIENCED in laser hair removal who has treated your skin color, on the laser they will treat you with. I cannot stress this enough. I would ask someone, "about how many laser hair removal treatments, with this laser, did you do last month?"
2. Ask if treating your skin with hydroquinone for a few weeks before treatment might be helpful.
3. Use a high quality sunscreen daily. Wear a hat outside when you can.
4. Ask about side effects. If they tell you that there are no potential side effects, run as fast as you can. They either are inexperienced, untrained, or just eliminating information they don't think you need.
5. Ask what they would advise if you have pigmentation changes?
6. Tell them all products you use on your face such as anti-age and anti-acne.
7. Ask for a free "test spot" and/or free consult, or both.
8. This question could be considered rude, but I might ask if their pay is based on commission. Almost all people would never sell a product/treatment that is not appropriate, but sometimes pressure regarding $$ might possibly influence presentation of the service.

I have very light caucasian skin and blue eyes. Honestly, I had darker skin, I would have been cautious. With lighter skin on the laser, lighter skin can tolerate aggressive treatment. Darker skin can be problematic.

Laser hair removal is awesome, but ask questions.

Good luck to you.

Mar

marsto911 · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 122

Hi,

Lasers change in leaps and bounds. I have not worked with lasers the past year, so my experience might be obsolete.

Almost all the lasers I have used have had an element of "skin cooling."
The only one, I have worked with, that did not, was the Yag (532/1064) which I used for tattoo removal and hyperpigmentation. Pigmentation can occur with this laser.

The following lasers (I used) had a cooling element. The lightsheer has a "chill tip." Pigmentation can arise from this laser. The V-Beam has a cryo element that occurs very rapidly with the pulsing, this can cause pigmentation issues. The Smoothbeam also has a cryo element, this can also lead to pigmentation issues.

Also, pigmentation problems can be related to using settings which are not appropriate for the procedure and the patient's skin. Laser settings are very individual.

Make sure you go to someone experienced with lasers.

Mar

orangehrzn · Joined: 23 Feb 2005 Posts: 1005

marsto, do u have experience with IPL systems?

I had an IPL done but it didn't have any effect. $300 went down the drain like that. I have Fitzpatrick II skin type, small redness, a few small spider veins and enlarged pores. The settings were:

system: Quantum
cutoff filter: 560 nm
energy flux: 26 J/cm^2
double pulse sequence: first pulse 2.4ms, delay of 15ms, second pulse 5ms

I have a few small spider veins on my nose. They are not zapped. The red patches are not diminished either. The problem was that with that pulse duration setting, my skin couldn't tolerate higher than 26J/cm^2 (we tried 27 J/cm^2 and it burned the epidermis) and at that level the IPL is inefective.

If you have done IPL, what kind of settings do you use in such cases? The skin doesn't tolerate high intensity cause it absorbs a lot. Probably something like tripple pulse sequence with longer pulses ?

ddieringer · Joined: 21 Mar 2006 Posts: 13

I had laser hair removal with a Diode laser. I had it on my face. My skin is normally very fair and I have naturally dark hair (I go mystic tanning and highlight my hair blonde).....anyways....the lady that performed the treatments said that fair skin and dark hair is ideal, because the laser "burns" the darkest thing it can find....which should be the hair follicle. It worked to make the hair shaft thinner, but it did not get rid of the hair altogether. I have completed 4 of 7 treatments....so maybe it will improve. All in all, the procedure was expensive, and I would say that for me, the costs outweigh the benefits. But at the same time, I'm not done with all my treatments.