Besides the YAG laser, which other laser is best for hair removal?

Question

I am shopping around for places in Chicago to get hair removal treatment (for pubic /Brazilian area), as I am an African-American woman. The place I am interested in offers Vectus Laser, which features the integrated Skintel™ Melanin Reader™... how have the effects of this laser been on patients of darker pigment? What are other lasers for hair removal that work for my skin type (type 4/5)?

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Diode, alexandrite and yag lasers work best for hair removal. I typically have patients do every 4 weeks for the first 3 times and then every 4-6 weeks for 3 times after. It will take a series of treatments and some people need treatments to maintain. See an expert in laser hair removal for best results. Best, Dr. Emer

Harold J. Kaplan, MD · Answer

Hi M.  The long pulsed Nd:Yg laser (Yag for short) is the only laser we typically recommend for patients that are 100% African American (skin type V or VI).  If a patient is mixed then sometimes we will recommend the Diode laser, but for the most part it's the Yag alone that is safest and works best for African Americans.  We would caution you about "shopping around" as laser hair removal is a professional service and if you choose solely on price, you will likely not get the best practitioner nor the best results.  The laser cannot think about how to do the treatment, only the practitioner can so even if both practitioners are using a Yag laser, it's possible to get 0% permanent hair removal at one location and 80%, 90% or 95% at another location.

Laura Riehm, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question.  We utilize the Vectus (diode) Laser for LHR with the SkinTel.  It is very effective on all skin types.  For most people, we can meet their LHR goals in 6 treatments.  Proper settings are the key for safe treatments.  Generally speaking, the more melanin in your skin, the less aggressive the settings.  Our darker skin patients often require a couple extra treatments that are usually included in our package at no additional charge.  Look for a provider that is medically supervised, has excellent reviews and has experience treating your skin type.  Best of luck.

Joyce Davis, MD · Answer

Many lasers are safe in darker skin.  All have to be adjusted (turned down) so pigment is not disrupted.  That said, it may take more than the standard package of treatments for you to eliminate unwanted hair.  I like the Diode Lasers for hair removal.  An IPL machine will also work well.

Allan Zacher, MD (retired) · Answer

I have used a Luminis LightSheer laser in our clinic since 2008. I (male) personally had my back lasered 6 times with different platforms. IMO, most of them hurt pretty bad, the YAG being the most painful in that particular setting, and that platform had a high tech cooling system that sprayed coolant at the time of each pulse. For me, I found it painful also the most expensive platform (I'm not going to mention the names of brands I do not like, but you can figure it out).
What I LIKE about the LightSheer platform is that it was the most comfortable (least discomfort) in some places no discomfort - though that will vary, I highly recommend numbing medication in the "bikini" area. Underarms should not need any numbing cream. 
The LightSheer uses a specific wavelength of light - 805 nm that is generated by a "diode array". You can read about that if you like but we've been using it for a long time and it is fantastic.
The 9 mm tip (the one we use) and the 12 mm tip have "Chilltip technology". What that means is that it has an artificial sapphire that is liquid cooled. IMO this is the mac-diggity. It really works to reduce the discomfort of the pulses. They have a larger head (huge) which is great I'm told for large areas like back, chest, full legs but I have not used this and it uses a different technology (a suction mechanism) to cool and reduce discomfort. It's probably good too, but will complete full legs in 10 - 15 minutes rather than 45 min with the 9 mm chilltip. 
I hope this helps.

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