Laser hair removal before & after photos
69%
220 reviews
Worth It Rating Our index shows the percentage of community members saying this was "Worth it". See cosmetic treatment rankings
Laser Hair Removal Cost $1,700 average cost

Gentle Yag Skin Reaction Still Lasting After 4 Days

2 posts
Comments (5)
Updated 1 Jun 2009
Posted 29 May 2009
Worth It
Spent: $300 in Dubai, UAE

I recently had my third laser hair removal session on lower legs, after two pretty successful sessions with lightsheer. I had to switch the clinic and the new clinic used gentle yag.

I had no reaction to gentle yag, until a few hours after the treatment. Now it's been four days and my skin is full of dark red spots (around the follicle), that are slightly raised ant itchy. Is this a normal reaction, or something I should go back to the clinic for? Is there anything to speed up the healing process?

This review is the subjective opinion of a RealSelf member and not of RealSelf, Inc.

Vote: 4 members found this review helpful

Comments (5)

Post a Comment
halfasian09 (52 posts) 25 Jun 2009
Whoa, is gentle yag the same as Nd:YAG? That is what I am guessing. Yag is yag... ask them for clarification... and if so, why are they using Nd:YAG laser on you? They should not... Your skin looks pretty fair. And Nd:YAG lasers should mainly be used on golden-brown, brownish or black skin. Diode lasers are more safe and most versatile for a variety of skin tones (except very dark ones, or very very fair). Ask them to switch to using a diode laser like LightSheer on your skin. My understanding is that your skin is reacting because it's the improper laser type (gentle yag) to use on your skin. Best wishes.
halfasian09 (52 posts) 25 Jun 2009
I need to clarify, I said "Yag is yag" and this is incorrect, there is something called Q-switched Nd:YAG and another one called Long pulse Nd:YAG. Long pulse is more effective and good in comparison to Q-switched Nd:YAG, at least in my opinion and from the research and reading I have done.
Loraine Guy (1 post) 1 Jul 2009
I too have still got bright red spots on whole of area below the knee 8 days after first session with similar laser! The area affected corresponds to where I normally used an epilator. Can anyone explain if there's a connection? Rest of body had no reaction at all.
halfasian09 (52 posts) 2 Jul 2009
I can attempt to explain a connection. When I started using an epilator on my arms, I noticed it would remove the hair but leave slightly darker-colored skin rings around the hair follicle. Not incredibly noticeable, but the skin would be pigmented darker around the hair follicle. So my guess is, since the laser targets the dark pigment (melanin) of the hair but also can target the skin, it may have "burnt" the surrounding darker "ring" of skin pigmentation around the hair follicles due to epilating. Or, your skin could be experiencing inflammation of hair follicles, and I would recommend using a very gentle, oatmeal-based body wash, but not necessarily Aveeno-- check instead for an oatmeal/goat milk body bar either online or in stores, or simply soak your legs daily in cool water with oatmeal (first grind the oatmeal, then add it to hot-warm water, then wait for the water to cool, then dip your legs in it, or apply it to your legs with a damp and clean washcloth). And try to take anti-inflammatory foods before getting laser done, and even afterwards. There are lists of anti-inflammatory foods if you do a web search. And lastly, consider switching to diode or a laser center with an experienced, certified laser specialist, who will know the right settings to use for your skin, and explain that you epilated before. You should not epilate for atleast 7-8 weeks prior to laser treatment, I believe. Make sure there are no left-over ingrown hairs or scars due to epilation, before going in for laser hair removal. Best wishes
856709anon (1 post) 27 Sep 2010
HI i just wanna know can i go for q- switched nd yag laser on my face my dr. told me to go 4 q switched as it improve my skin comlexion in just 2 sittings is it true thats all i wanna know ..

Post a Comment

Use of this website and the posting of any reviews or other content on this website constitutes acceptance of the RealSelf® Terms of Service. The material on this site is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider. © 2011 RealSelf, Inc. All rights reserved.