Is Soprano Laser Hair Removal Treatment Effective

Hi Singapore.  Forgive us for getting into a technical discussion, but to properly answer your question, we feel we need to.

To permanently damage the hair follicle such that it does not grow hair any longer, a certain peak temperature must be achieved.  The reason for this is that to achieve PERMANENT hair removal, the small blood vessel that feeds the hair must be cauterized (damaged) to the point where it does not carry blood any longer.  This process is at the very heart of why we do NOT believe in painless permanent laser hair removal.

When achieving a high enough temperature to damage the small blood vessels, there will be discomfort or pain.  While "pain" is a relative for each individual, it is definitely NOT painless when you achieve a temperature that is high enough to damage these blood vessels.  This is the reason that we do not believe in painless hair removal.  If discomfort or pain is not present, the required temperature to close the small blood vessel has not been achieved and permanent hair removal will not be the outcome.

If you go back to this practitioner, which we would not suggest, request that he/she use the traditional small spot diode head of this laser as it will lead to better results for you.  Either that or find an MD that uses the traditional Lumenis Lightsheer (not the painless one).

It can
be difficult to accurately gauge the success of any laser hair removal
treatment and, whilst we never guarantee 100% effectiveness with the hair
lasers that we use at the clinic, your experience seems to
be uncommon with our experience of Soprano.  Your hair and skin type
are correct for this type of laser treatment and you appear to have had enough
treatments that have been correctly spaced with sufficient energy from the
laser to expect a better result, but many factors can affect the final outcome.  Keep in contact with your practitioner who
can assess whether you need further sessions or even consider changing to another
type of laser e.g. IPL or YAG.

The Soprano laser uses an 810 nm. wavelength which has been considered the gold standard of hair removal effectiveness as the Light Sheer Diode laser first utilized. It's wavelength is absorbed by the hair shaft below the skin and the heat generated then destroys the hair follicle. There is always a risk of skin hyperpigmentation, blister, hypopigmentation, with any laser for hair removal and it is prudent to be cautious and work up, as I say, "the ladder of aggressiveness" rather than starting high in energy levels to convenience the patient with fewer treatments, only to regret that decision.  Test spots can and are often done, prior to the first treatment to see the reaction per different energy levels and then the first treatment's laser settings are based on the individual patient's results.