I had my first treatment with this methode (Pneumatic Skin Flattening)using Nd: YAG HR machine. I didn't ask what the strength of the machine used on my upper lips but it hurt so much. I could smell the hair burning and afterwards I had red and swollen skin above my lips. They asked me to come back in 4 weeks but after reading so much here I think 4 weeks is too soon to have the second treatment. I paid 40 Euros (almost 60 dollars) for a session. After a week I didn't see any hair growing out but I have small bumps that look like aftershave bumps. Is this normal for upper lips? My skin is IV type and my upperlips hair are coarse and dark and there were lots of them. They also told me I will only need 4 to 6 sessions to get rid of the hairs. Is this normal expectation? Thank you in advance for the answer.

Yes, 4 weeks is too early. You shouldn't have anything to treat at that point if the treatment was effective. 6-8 properly spaced treatments are normally necessary overall.

Bumps or any side effects after a week are not normal. You should show it to your clinic. Can you describe the bumps or post a picture?

Description: the bumps look as if there are hairs underneath but when I dig them with with my pointed tweezers they wouldn't come out. The dark shadow I have had it since I can remember. I have plucked these hairs since I was 14 and now I am 30.
picture:

By the way, I do not have much hairs in any part of my body. On my arms they are fine and almost invisible. On legs there are very few. But I still don't know what causes me to have dark moustache.

It looks like pigmentation and some crusting to me. Not 100% positive. Hopefully others will weigh in as well. You shouldn't be seeing pigmentation at correct settings. It sounds like the treatment settings were too powerful for your skin.

Can you find out what joules, pulse and spot size they're using on you?

Also, keep in mind that this isn't a lot of hair, so electrolysis is a good option as well.

Actually I have had the pigmentation since I started plucking. Can I get rid of that eventually with a certain treatment? I hope the bumps will go away.

Thanks LaGirl! To be honest, I am glad I had the procedure. But will the crusting go away?

These types of side effects are usually temporary, but you should definitely let the clinic know. They need to adjust the settings accordingly.

It looks like your pigmentation is a result of a change in skin color, not due to shadow from hair. You would have to see a dermatologist to see if there are products you can use or other treatments you can employ to reduce it, after you get the hair removed.

Thanks LaGirl, I will definitely look for a dermatologist after I am done with the laser.

Hyper pigmentation will go away. It just takes longer for darker skin tones. Using tweezers to "dig" at your skin is the last thing I would do. If your having laser hair removal treatments there is no reason to use tweezers. Plucking and tweezing is more likely to cause hyper pigmentation than LHR. Try a product like Tend Skin to help reduce the bumps.

Thank pdeco.I think I am experiencing shedding after a week only. The bumps diminish slowly but the hyperpigmentation is still there. I still have a few questions, though.
1. I once had laser a year ago in Indonesia using the same machine but never went back. I noticed that the hair was reduced but some hair were still growing. Probably 60-70 hairs. Do you think that in the laser treatment I had last week would kill these remaining hairs and will not grow again?
2. The speed of my upper lips hairs growth are like of those men's. I used to shave or pluck everyday. So, wouldn't 4 weeks interval is enough for another treatment?

Everyone's body is different, go in for your next treatment about 1-2 weeks after you see new growth. Four weeks may be too soon. Shaving is fine but plucking will cause stronger regrowth. If the remaining hairs you have are dark and coarse, LHR can treat them.

You need 6-8 treatments spaced about 8-12 weeks apart for permanent results because hair grows in cycles. So what you see at one point is not all the hair you actually have, but a portion of it. Each treatment kills a certain percentage of all the hair you have. If you only had one treatment before, you probably killed some of the hair. You'll still need at least 4-5 treatments for most of the hair you still have to be gone.

PSF is not recommended for darker skin, as there is no cooling used with it. Also, the settings used are important. If you can give us that information, we can be of further assistance.

Thank you! I will ask what setting they use on me next time I am in the clinic.

I would call and ask for settings, so next time you come prepared.

So guys, can I use Hydroquinone while still on the laser treatment? I still have 5 laser treatment to go on my upper lips and I am planning to use Hydroquinone to get rid of the hyperpigmentation on my uppser lips. Or should I wait until I am done with the whole laser treatment?

I would consult your clinic and your dermatologist. Also, I would make sure they don't use the PSF on you anymore to avoid more pigmentation.

Thank you Lagirl. I will make sure they don't use PSF on me on my next treatment.

I finally used Hidroquinone mixed with tretinoin for the hyperpigmentation and the result is very satisfying. Here's the picture after 2 weeks of applying the cream every night:

I went to my second treatment today (upper lips hair, coarse and dark, look like men's moustache except they are sparse). Skin type IV. Using Yag machine with setting:
Power: 24 Joule/cm2 (first treatment was 22 Joule)
Pulse length: 5
Spot: 15
Is that good setting for my skin type and the area (upper lips)? Thank you!!!!

Oh and this time, they did not use PSF on me.

If it is Gentleyag or Gentlemax ( YAG side ) , it is a safe setting. I would probably go higher.

Hm... Romeo, not sure if I can tolerate higher setting. I hurt soo much that every zap I had to take a few seconds to breath, lol.

Pain shouldn't be your consideration if you want results. If you can't handle it, use a numbing cream. Using lower settings only due to not being able to handle the pain is not a good idea if you want the most for your money.

The pulse and spot size are fine, but the joules are somewhat low for a Yag.

Thanks LaGirl! I will try numbing cream next time. How high the joules would you recommend?

I forgot to say, they use GentleYag in the clinic.

On 15mm, the max is 40J. See how high you can handle. We can't tell over the Internet. They have to do some test spots.

A skilled electrologist, using the best equipment could have handle this with less skin reaction and discomfort in a very timely manner. Thanks for the picture.

Thank you Lagirl! I will ask them to rise the joules next time. Dfahey, electrolysis was my first choice but unfortunately after some research, there's no electrologist here in Germany.

Okay, thank you for your response. I was wondering about that, Put. Too bad for you and others.

LaGirl or Romeo, is it safe to ask for higher joules? I noticed that my upper lips are has tiny bumps with what look like puss inside (possibly blisters?). My upper lips area is still sore and red even after 8 hours from the last treatment.

I am surprised that you have puss on the upper lip after a 5msc/24 J Gentleyag treatment. Perhaps they overlapped the area too much.

Please contact the Clinic and have them look at you. No, if you have had blisters, I would not up the Joules but I would have them up the mscs ( For example, instead of 5 msc, they can use 10 msc ).

Again, these are SUGGESTIONS ONLY that you should clear with your Clinic first.

I will discuss this with my clinician. The thing is she doesn't speak well English and I don't speak well German, lol! I probably will bring a friend as a translator. What does mscs stand for?

msc = milliseconds

Thanks Dfahey!

Oh and one more question, is Hydrocortisone good to treat the blisters?

Use tea tree oil. Doctors really don't like hydrocortisone to be used on the face if there is something else you could use. Short-term use for hydrocortisone is okay if you really have to use that, but tea tree oil in small dabs would help you just as well. Can you purchase tea tree oil in Germany?

Warm compresses will help, too.

I really like hydrocortisone. But yes, it's not the healthiest thing to use.

If you have red raised bumps, it's normal for up to a day or two. You should ice the area and use cooled aloe vera gel. If this stays for longer than that, see your clinic. Puss shouldn't be there though. Are you sure that's what it is? Is it white? Are you using anything on your face such as facewashes, lotions, moisturizers, makeup removers, or anything else with chemicals? Please avoid using any of that while the skin heals.

If you were truly burned, settings shouldn't be raised. But you should see if that's an actual burn. It would appear like a burn within a few days if it is, i.e. with some crusting etc.

Not sure if tea tree oil is available here in Germany but I might find it in The Body Shop store. I think it is puss inside of the bumps because it looks white. I did actually put powder after the treatment because I looked scary with red and swollen upper lips, lol. I see what will happen with the area in the next few days and if it still looks like it does now I will visit the clinic and have a consultation about this.

Please don't put on powder and wash it off if you have any on. That can create infection and may have contributed to this reaction. You should ice and use witch hazel or pure aloe vera gel (clear stuff found near sunblock) to calm the area. Redness goes away relatively fast that way. Avoid anything with chemicals.

I'm pretty sure tea tree oil is available on Germany. Look for something with melaleuca oil.

Thanks LaGirl. I did wash it off after I got home from the treatment. Yeah I will look for what you recommend