Make sure that you are not waxing or plucking the hairs in between the sessions. Make sure the area is shaved, so there are no long strands of hair that can get singed, and force the operator to reduce the energy. Make sure you are not tan, and even consider lightening the skin with a skin lightening agent;... more
How can I get better hair removal results?
I saw awesome results after I switched to Diode Laser hair removal from IPL. However, I saw that the hair is only reduced and not gone completely, it got thinner and finer, and it appears lighter than it was (originaly it was longer, darker, and thicker). Is this a common result from Diode Laser hair removal? Should I go back to IPL hair removal, or should I try other lasers?
Comments
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1 post
19 Feb 2009
i just want to know if IPL gives same results as laser, what is the difference and which one is more effective?? thank you
81 posts
22 Jan 2009
As hair gets thinner is absorption of light changes. Thin hair distributes heat very quickly and this requires the laser to put in energy very quickly (pulse duration). Laser devices must be very powerful to put in lots of energy in a short period of time. This tends to make the better devices very expensive and thus not as common. Devices that can put quite a bit of energy into the hair in a short period of time include the Cynosure Elite (755nm Alexandrite), the Candela GentleMax & MiniMax (755nm Alexandrite) and Lumenis LightSheer (810nm Diode). As long as you have light skin I would consider the 755nm Alexandrite lasers, as these have slightly higher absorption (get more heat into the hair) verses the 810nm diode. These would be your best choices for getting rid of finer, lighter hair. A diode laser may still work if given enough time but make sure your provider is using a pulse duration between 3-5 milliseconds for the fine hairs. Also, be aware that no matter what promises a provider makes you, hair removal still normally requires 5-8 treatments even with the best machines.
92 posts
22 Jan 2009
IPL is certainly not the best equipment for laser hair removal, although it is OK for some people. I prefer Cutera technology which uses the very fast and effective Prowave 770 on lighter skin patients or the 1064 yag on darker skin types. We get superb results in both groups ! The FDA definition of permanent hair reduction is 85% or more. Sometimes, additional sessions are required after the first 5 or 6, and we offer those at no additional charge in our office. Go to Cutera.com for additional information about their lasers, and good luck.