Is my Skin Good for Lightsheer Laser?

asked 3 years ago by Sonia2009 in Toronto, Canada
Latest answer by Susan Van Dyke, MD
Question viewed 4,449 times

I had patch test with Lightsheer Diode Laser at 3 different laser clinics. Each clinic used the almost same settings. At the first two clinics, they shaved the area and applied gel before treatment. After treatment, my skin got red and some bumps appeared, but I didn't burn. But when I had patch test at the third clinic, electrologist didn't shave and apply any gel before treatment. When she treated the area, I burned and got blister on my skin.

When the similar setting was used with same laser, why did my skin react differently? At the first 2 clinics (which use Lighsheer frequently on clients), I was told that my skin is good for Lightsheer but at third clinic (which uses more GentleYAG on clients), I was told that Lightsheer is not good for my skin. Why is this?

5 answers to Is my Skin Good for Lightsheer Laser?

LightSheer good for light skin types

Light Sheer is good for types I – III skin but darker skin, IV – VI may absorb too much energy in the darker skin and the heat gets trapped there rather than being absorbed deeper in the hair follicles. This epidermal heating could result in more of a reaction. Furthermore, if hair is visible, then it should be shaved, otherwise it is laying on top of the epidermis and serving as a target for the laser energy, bringing more heat to the epidermis. You want the heat to be brought... more

Ronald Shelton, MD
Manhattan Dermatologist

Reactions to LightSheer may depend on skin preparation.

Pigment is the target for hair reduction lasers. Light from the laser is attracted to pigment and when it finds it heat is released. Pigment in surface hair and in the top layer of skin will create heat (and can burn you) but does not affect the results of the hair reduction. To keep the skin cool while delivering the most effective treatment it is advised to remove surface hair by shaving prior to treatment. Some lasers require gel for cooling as well, some... more

Susan Van Dyke, MD
Paradise Valley Dermatologist

Lightsheer Laser Hair Removal Therapy

You must be as well-shaven as possible prior to any laser hair treatment to achieve maximal clinical result as the hair shafts compete with energy of the laser (and we want most of the energy to be absorbed by hair follicles) and these residual hair shafts may be carbonized and can subsequently amplify the energy of the laser leading to blistering and scabbing. Protocol for Lightsheer needs to be more conservative for darker skin types, e.g. lower energy with greater pulse duration.... more

William Ting, MD
Bay Area Dermatologic Surgeon

Lightsheer for Laser Hair Removal

Hi Sonia, To determine if the Lightsheer is right for your skin type, we would need to evaluate your skin up close, understand your ethnic history and determine if you've had any sun exposure recently. Just because the first two clinics test spots did not result in a blister (like the third one) does not mean you are appropriate for the Lightsheer. The fact that you had redness and follicular edema (the small bumps) is a good sign, but it does not necessarily mean that the first two... more

Harold J. Kaplan, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

Lightsheer is best for light skin and dark hair

Even though the Lightsheer is good for all skin types, people with light skin and dark hair will get faster results. Shaving the hair first is very important and will prevent burning the skin during the treatment. Gel is used only to help the laser slide easily and it also has a cooling effect on the skin. With the Lightsheer you will see immediate hair reduction no matter what skin type you are, it just takes longer for darker skin, but the end results are the same.

Gregory Turowski, MD, PhD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

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