I have been having electrolysis on my upperlip/chin and stomach for about 1 yr. now. I have had great results and am almost done now. Before I started the electrologist, I came her for suggestions and info. And was very happy with the info and suggestions I recieved here. I really like my electroligist and am very happy with my results. Her office also offers IPL hair removal which she says also says offer great results, she herself does not perform IPL a reg nurse does it. I expressed my interested in having hair removal on the thighs and bikini area to her and she recommended the IPL(palomer). I am type 3 skin, the hair on my thighs varies from course and dark to light brown and fine, with some very blonde and fine hair as well. My bikini area is coarse and dark. I would like to trust her opinion but I am worried that I maybe wasting my money, there seems to be mixed reviews for IPL in general and alot of hate on IPL here. I have read that laser is better and know that electrolisis works. She did not actually look at the area I want treated she said that because the hair on my stomach was coarse and dark she felt the IPL would work well for me. I think I have alot more hair on my thighs than most females and it is dark long and coarse in some areas but it is not consistant, some is very light and fine. My biggest concerns are wasting my money and the hair growth becoming worse rather than better. Also I think it would take forever to do electrolysis on that area, maybe that is why she recommended IPL? Any suggestions or opions would be helpful. Thanks!
If you’re going to go with laser on those other areas, you should do proper research again and go with the best laser out there, which is an alex like GentleLASE for your skin type. Palomar is ok, but just because this lady is great in electrolysis doesn’t mean that someone else in the office has the best machine and skills to get you results with something else. Palomar is not a bad IPL, but I would do proper research, check out several places with GentleLASE and compare everything.
Also, keep in mind that light, fine, blond, etc hair won’t be affected by laser. Dark coarse hair should react well on these areas.
Thanks for your response. I’m trying to learn as much as I can so that I do make the right choice on what type of removal to use. Do you think that using an IPL would cause the blonde hairs to become darker and coarse or that they will be unaffected? The blonde hair isn’t what bothers me, its the darker hairs. Is electrolysis in those areas unrealistic? Since I have used electrolysis and am happy with it I expected my electologist to suggest it for those areas too, but she didn’t. I’m typical a shy person and am comfortable with my electrologist. I am a bit nervous about going somewhere else but also want to get the best results. When you say that IPL is not bad but laser is better is it just that it is quicker or could there be some adverse reactions from IPL that would not occur with Laser? Thanks
Most people get better and faster results with a true laser, i.e. less treatments and more hair removed as a % overall.
Those areas are not prone to induced growth. As long as you treat at high enough settings, the dark coarse hair will be removed and the rest will remain.
Run a search here for your city, or a nearby city. There is a good chance someone here has previously recommended a clinic in your area. You can also go to the Candela Corporation website and run a provider search for GentleLASE using your zip code.
I’ve been looking into places that offer gentlelase in my area. I found a place that has a few locations and offers both gentlelase and lightsheer lumenis. The closest location to me 20-30min drive only offers the lightsheer lumenis, the location that offers the gentlelase would be about a 45-60min drive. Do you know if there is much of a difference between the two? Are the more comparable than the IPL and gentlelase or is the gentle lase still a much better choice? Thanks for any help/info.
GentleLASE is absolute best. LightSheer is ok and harder to use. If they’re very experienced, they can get you similar results, but there is more room for error. Considering you only need to go in once every 2-3 months, I would go to a place with GentleLASE, granted it’s a good place.