Am I Being Scammed? First Laser Hair Removal Treatment

Question

I went for my first laser hair removal treatment. I have never had treatments before. The machine was a Cutera Nd:Yag. I am olive skin and have course dark hair. I was getting the "brazilian" area done. I expected the treatment to be painful. It was minimal discomfort. I am now wondering if the settings were too low. I have a high pain tolerance but I am afraid of being scammed. When I looked at the machine the screen said: 30 30 20. What does that mean and should I ask for higher settings?

Gregory Turowski, MD, PhD, FACS · Answer

The discomfort level during the treatment depends on the type of laser used and how dark your skin is. Laser settings should be adjusted based on how coarse the hair is and how many treatments you've done in the past. With dark skin chances of side effects are higher and we need to be careful when treating sensitive areas, such as bikini for example. You cannot request a stronger treatment- the technician should use their judgment when choosing the energy. As long as you go a board certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist, you won’t have to worry about the effectiveness of the laser and you should get good results.

Anil R. Shah, MD · Answer

Laser hair removal is a procedure which requires multiple sessions, irregardless of technology.  Typically on olive skin, it is better to start with a lower setting than higher setting and work your way up.  An experienced team and technician can help deliver a safe and effective results and will work with settings tailored to you.

Harold J. Kaplan, MD · Answer

Hi Amy.  The settings for laser hair removal are not as important as the way the skin looks (tissue reaction).  The procedure should involve some discomfort (even if you have a high pain tolerance) and cause follicular edema (redness) and ant bite marks (small bumps around the hair follicles).  

	The settings, assuming one of them is for fluence (joules per centimeter squared) would be low for our Yag laser.  We usually start in the 45 - 55 range with a 30 pulse width.  

	But instead of looking at settings, we would be searching for a practitioner with an alexandrite or diode laser, NOT the Yag.  You will get better results.  You may not be getting scammed, but there are better options for you in terms of the technology.

Monika Soni, MD · Answer

It is important to find board certified expert with experience who treated similar cases. If your hormones are not in balance, laser hair removal will not prevent hair growth on your face. It is important to address all causes to your hair to proceed with laser hair removal and have satisfactory results. If your hair is fine, they you will have to shave it few weeks prior to treatment to make it coarse so you get better results. Good luck!

Michele S. Green, MD · Answer

You are lucky that the person doing the laser hair removal was cautious indeed.  I have seen many olive skinned patients who had side effects over the years from laser hair removal.  After the treatment how did your skin seem? The doctor can always go up with the next session depending on your reaction.  It is much better to be cautious than over-zealous and get burned from the laser.  Always go to a board certified dermatologist for your procedures including laser hair removal for the best and safest results.

Am I Being Scammed? First Laser Hair Removal Treatment

Answers (9)

Answer: If your hormones are not in balance, laser hair removal will not prevent hair growth on your face.

Answer: If your hormones are not in balance, laser hair removal will not prevent hair growth on your face.

Answer: Laser Hair Removal for olive tone skin

Answer: Laser Hair Removal for olive tone skin

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Everything you need to know about Laser Hair Removal

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Am I Being Scammed? First Laser Hair Removal Treatment

Answers (9)

Answer: If your hormones are not in balance, laser hair removal will not prevent hair growth on your face.

Answer: If your hormones are not in balance, laser hair removal will not prevent hair growth on your face.

Answer: Laser Hair Removal for olive tone skin

Answer: Laser Hair Removal for olive tone skin

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Laser Hair Removal

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.