"We are One"
Facial Laser: My Ongoing Experience
After reading about it thoroughly, debating all the pro's and con's of laser vs. electrolysis, I have finally begun facial laser hair removal. I made my decision based on the fact that most of my facial hair is still very dark without much gray. I figure I will start there and see how it goes, then do clean up work with electrolysis afterwards.
I made the decision to have my treatments done at a local physician's office who has started doing laser. I am in the healthcare field so I know about all the pros and cons of a physicians office who is using laser as an income supplement vs. other laser only places, and still felt comfortable going this route. I am paying $400 for six full face and beard clearing sessions. The office uses a Candela laser.
Going to my first session two weeks ago, I didn't know what to expect. I shaved close as I could at 7:00 a.m, but my session wasn't until 11:00. Mistake, I should have shaved immediately before going to the appointment, as my beard was fast growing and I usually had a decent 5:00 shadow every day. So if you are going for your first one, you may want to take note.
She told me what to expect, I put on the metal goggles so I wouldn't risk eye damage from wayward laser rays, and off we went. She told me she would be starting on my right side burn area, and working down and over, with small areas (perhaps 20mm wide?) areas at a time. At the first "zap", WOW, HOLY COW. That hurt! It was like getting an electrical shock on face. I should say that she set the laser to 22 for the first few, then adjusted to 20. But either way, I was not prepared for how much each zap hurt. I understand that can be a good thing because it means it is working, but again, each zap hurt! After each zap there was a few seconds of discomfort after, but then the pain subsided. But then I was zapped again. And this went on for about probably 50-60 zaps to do my entire face. After she would do maybe 10 in a row, the laser would need a resting period, so she paused and I could recover from the pain a little. The waft of burning hair was a little unpleasant, but not overwhelming. It was the pain I wasn't prepared for. And I usually have a decent pain threshold.
All told it took about 30-40 minutes with the breaks included to do my face and beard. Afterwards she applied an aloe gel with a little lidocaine and I was pain free from then on.
What I didn't really know was what to expect after, and which is one of the reasons I am writing this blog, so others may know. Nothing bad, I just had no idea.
I stayed out of the sun and went camping and hiking that afternoon with my kids. My face felt different, but it is hard to explain. It felt rougher. The hair seemed to still be growing the first few days after, and it was difficult to get a close shave because it felt like there was still a lot of stubble after shaving. The face felt a rough too. My neck looked a little splotchy the first few days. The first 4-5 days or so I continued to shave every morning, and I honestly wondered if the laser had worked. Then about day 6, my face felt felt different. The expulsion of the hair had apparently begun to wind down, which is what I presume was taking place the first 5 days. The body still pushes out the hair follicles. Around day 6-7 I noticed that my "growth" was slowing down". Days 8 and 9 I noticed my skin softening. Days 10-11 I noticed that I could go almost all day without noticing any "growth" in my beard and my skin was softening even more.
I am now on day 12 after the first session. I shaved this morning and hardly had anything to shave at all. My skin is softer than it has ever been on my face. It is a wonderful feeling. I will probably be able to go two days without shaving now, and probably longer,which is amazing considering I couldn't go one day without a serious 5:00 shadow before. I love the feeling of my soft face, it is so wonderful.
I will update on how things go down the road, as I have my second appointment in a few weeks (5 weeks in between). But I hope this may help those that wonder what it feels like during the session and what I experienced in the first two weeks after. Despite the pain (let me say it again, it hurts!), it feels wonderful.
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Comment by Kathy Murdock on October 31, 2012 at 9:33am -
Alaina it may sound strange but I envy you. I can’t do laser because my beard is too light. I have been laying on the table 2 hours for two days each week for a number of months getting electrolysis. The pain is very mild except around the nose and lips, but it is the time and expense that are the most painful. Plus I have to let my beard grow for 3-4 days before each treatment. My electrologist has encouraged me to come in as a woman but I refuse to do so because I’m afraid some circus might snatch me up.
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Comment by Jessie Lynn Esme on October 31, 2012 at 9:38am -
Alaina,
You are correct on the fact that the hair gets pushed out and not grow out really. It does take about a week for the hair to be gone. Now mind you I recently had my fifth Laser session and did not start with that much hair though my hair was dark and my skin light olive tone. After a laser session and a week of trying to get the hair out I can go about three weeks without seeing but maybe a couple stray hairs that are clear or white but other than that going two to three weeks without anything is wonderful and yes the skin feels much softer and silkier. Just something to look forward to. It will be so nice when there is no hair to worry about! Good luck honey! Hugs!!
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Comment by Galina Edwards on October 31, 2012 at 10:33am -
I am proud you started the process and it will be worth da pain. Oh, for me, thanks for the morning chuckle. A person is never, never, never prepared for the first ZAP. I was more prepared to sleep with my first man than the first zap.
Hugs, Galina
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Comment by Chelle Munroe on October 31, 2012 at 10:41am -
Thanks for sharing. I haven't had laser except a small trial session so I really had no idea what to expect and now I do have something to revert to when the time comes for me to go for it.
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Comment by Jessie Lynn Esme on October 31, 2012 at 11:21am
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Oh Galina I would have to agree with you on that matter. Hee Hee!
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Comment by Beth Ward on October 31, 2012 at 1:14pm -
OMG I so need to hear this I am going to my first appointment soon and I was a bit scared on not knowing what was what. Thank you so so much. I love I have sisters who have taken the path before me to share their good and bad experiences. I know I am going to make mistakes but I hope I make the right ones for the right reasons
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Comment by Joanna on October 31, 2012 at 1:19pm -
went through it and can relate to the pain which is a lot worse than they tell you. I did 3 laser treatments and am now doing 2 IPL treatments which hurt much less. I now have a LOT less to shave these days. Its amazing as it has also improved my male appearence in that I look younger!
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Comment by Julia Giannopoulos on October 31, 2012 at 5:45pm -
I really never had alot of facial hair but what I did have was dark. I'm of Greek and German decent so I had some black ones to contend with.
In 2006 I purchased a package of seven sessions for around 900.00 dollars.
Since that was in Helena Montana six years ago I had to go to a dermatologist to have it done but in the long run she did a fantastic job.
Painful but when you need to transition you don't think about it too much.
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Comment by Janet Neumann on November 1, 2012 at 12:30am -
I am so glad to hear your story. I had my first laser treatment Friday and my face feels like sandpaper. It is getting better, but still have a bunch of ingrown hairs, I guess that is what they are. A bunch of bumps which look like I am back in Jr High. The laser that they are using is a Soprano XL which is a constant motion laser. Being a nerd engineer, I researched the laser before I went in and was prepared for the worst. They call it a no pain system. Ha ha. When the lady started out there was none, but she kept pushing the level up until it hurt. I figured I rather have it hurt like hell and work than not hurt and not do anything. I will also keep this blog posted on how it goes. Maybe this weekend some of these ingrown hairs well be gone. I have paid for 6 sessions at about $2000 so in 6 months, I hope I have a smooth face and other 45 lbs lighter. I can't wait to be able to go out as Janet, but want to do what I can so I have a better chance of not looking like the bearded lady.:)
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Comment by Alaina on November 18, 2012 at 6:22am -
I am now a few days away from my second session. Overall my face is cleared pretty well, but as expected some of the hairs that were "out of growth cycle" have started growing. Still nothing like before, but in a few places I can tell. My upper lip is one place, and some areas under chin as well. It will be interesting to see what the next session brings. I am not looking forward to the zaps!
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