VickieCNY’s laser tech is seeing perifollicular edema and erythema. These are signs that the hair is absorbing the heat. The sooner the tech sees these signs (absorbing like a sponge) the better the results.
An experienced and observant laser operator does develop the ability to know if the settings are appropriate by the skin’s reaction, just like an electrologist. High settings on a genetic male’s beard, even with a YAG, may cause too much trauma to the skin. The pain, the hairs popping out, and the fast shedding VickieCNY describes suggests the settings for her particular hair color and density was appropriate.