Laser question

[Virginia 71]

I found another post on this but when I tried to reply it suggested I start a new one because that one was over 30 days old. Sorry if that is taboo...

Anyway, I had a test patch done about a month ago. I believe it was a Diode laser. I think she said the machine cost like 60K if that suggests it was "Diode" or "IPL" or any other sort of laser. She used the lowest setting and some hair came out almost right away. I didn't see what she wiped away but when I looked in mirror after there were three or four hairs coming out. At first I thought that it didn't do much except for those few hairs, then my gf pointed out a patch in my "shadow" one evening that was far lighter than the rest.

So, I have to say I was quite satisfied. There was only a small amount of swelling and the pain was limited to when she was actually zapping me. My question is whether or not any of you have experienced more swelling with your first treatment than you did with a test patch? It seems possible as collectively the whole face is receiving more heat so to speak.

Also, how long did you stay red? I am just thinking in terms of what I have to do afterwards and whether or not it will be obvious at work the next day. My appointment is at 1pm and I have to be at work typically between 7:30 and 9:00am.

Any other tips you care to share are of course appreciated.

[sarah1972]

I never did a test patch, went right for the full treatment. I had quite some swelling which took a good 3 days to go away. I think she zapped on a pretty high setting. Good amount of pain during zapping.

I did see instant results tough. Hope laser can take of most of it but there is a good part of white hair...

[Jessica_Rose]

I have had six or seven facial laser treatments (not IPL). I never really noticed any swelling, and the only time I noticed any redness was after one treatment when the laser was way out of calibration and apparently I got zapped with much more power than normal. It took a about a week for that to clear up. Under normal circumstances any redness I noticed was gone within 3 - 4 hours.

Take some ibuprofen about 30 minutes before your appointment and try to stay out of the sun for a few days before and after the treatment.

[KathyLauren]

I had about 5 laser sessions.  The first session, the tech had the machine set at 'stun'.  Each session, she ramped it up until, by session 4, it was just short of 'kill'.  That session did leave some scarring that I can still feel a year later. 

I had one more session after that, with a different tech.  When I told her the results of the previous session, she changed the settings: less watts, longer pulse.  It didn't hurt as much or cause any scarring.  On the other hand, I had started HRT by that time, and my skin is now prone to melasma: estrogen-related light sensitivity.  I now have a freckle on my cheek the shape and size of the laser probe! 

So no more laser for me.  I didn't have that much dark hair anyway, and my electrologist has now cleared most of that.

[KarynMcD]

Also, how long did you stay red? I am just thinking in terms of what I have to do afterwards and whether or not it will be obvious at work the next day. My appointment is at 1pm and I have to be at work typically between 7:30 and 9:00am.

Never any swelling but I've had redness last twenty minutes and I've had it last three days.
Maybe have your appointments late on fridays so that you have the weekend to recover, if necessary.

[Quinn]

Ive Had three  Laser sessions now, Yesterday was my third . I went in the first time for a consult and she decided just to a whole sessions. I did not have any numbing cream on the one and wow did it sting while it was going on. The second and third was not too bad as far as pain goes except around the mouth and upper lip to nose.Yestday face was slightly red for a few hours and a little swollen but i dont think anyone but me would notice. This morning skin is a bit tender but nothing for anyone to see.
The technition said your nationality has alot to do with how your skin reacts and everyone is different , so i think the only way to know is give it a try and see how you do .

Paige