Laser

Comment by Amy Wagoner on October 10, 2012 at 1:08pm

That sounds about like my first time with laser, other than the cost part.  Where I do mine it is $175 for the full face and neck.  After the first time I said I am never doing this again!  Then about 10 days later when all the hair shed out I was ready for more.  After about the 3rd treatment I decided to do my entire body.  I do not suggest doing that all at once, OUCH!  Well that was about 9 months ago and now I am virtually hair free everywhere, it is well worth the pain for what I am able to enjoy now.  Good luck, I know you will be delighted when this is all done.

Comment by Kathy Murdock on October 10, 2012 at 2:33pm

Lisa with me it was not the pain that brought tears it was the expense.  I have only had one laser treatment and it was a waste of time because my hairs are blond and grey on my face.  You can tell immediately if it is working by the pain, I had none.  I would much prefer that the laser had of worked because it would have gone quicker.  I lost track of how many hours and how much money I have spent on electrolysis.  Between hair transplants and electrolysis it has cost me $10,0000, it would have been much higher if my electrologist had not cut me a good deal.  This is why I preach, transition when you are young. To think of the wardrobe I could have had with that much money.

I'm curious as to why they wanted you to hold off on the hormones until your beard is gone?

Comment by Lisa Lesher on October 10, 2012 at 3:08pm

If the level of pain i had is any indication of how well it worked I may not need to ever go back again! lol It was definately snap, crackle, pop. For three or four hours afterwards my face was red and irritated looking. It's much better now though.

I was told that male skin tolerated the laser better than thin female skin. I don't know if it's true or not but I'm just taking it one day at a time.

I am thinking about finding a different dr. in the Chesapeake Va area if anyone can recommend some one I would appreciate it. $400 per session is a bit steep from all that I've read on the subject.

Comment by Amy Wagoner on October 10, 2012 at 3:21pm

There are a few things to keep in mind when looking for a clinic.  1) stay away from the national chain places, and the places that advertise in groupon and similar places.  2) Find someone with the right equipment for your skin.  3) Do not go anyplace that makes you sign a contract and pay up front.  Cost for treatment varies from area to area, sometimes they are running special, etc.  It should cost you between $100-$300 per treatment for the full face and neck.  There are a few things to watch out for.  Some clinics use IPL and call it laser, they are not the same thing at all.  Some clinics use a YAG laser on everyone siting safety as the reason.  YAG lasers are made for people with dark skin and hair, and they are so safe of fair skin they do virtually nothing.  What you want to find is someone using an Alexandrite laser, Candela is the most common manufacturer.  There are some people that use diode lasers, and those run at to high of a wavelength to be really effective on most people.  There are a lot of people out there that mean well, but do not know what they are doing.  Ask questions and use your best judgement.  I did a lot of research on the subject prior to talking to anyone, and then I talked to 6 clinics before finally settling on one.  Hopefully I have given you enough to be able to ask questions and get a good feel for whether the clinic is the right place or not.

Comment by Kristen Holbrook on October 10, 2012 at 7:21pm

I can say from personal experience that laser technology has really come a long way in the last few years.  My first laser session was very similar to yours Lisa, with the gel, the buring hair, and the pain.  After some trial and error, I finally found a clinic using the GentleMAX laser by Candela.  GentleMAX is actually a combination of the YAG and Alexandrite lasers.  It also has a "cryogenic super-cooling spray" to ease the pain.

This laser was the only one I found that was anywhere close to being "painless."  Don't get me wrong, it still hurt, but nothing I couldn't put up with for a few minutes.  A real close shave prior to my session also really helped with the pain (I instantly knew if I missed a hair).  The first couple of zaps definitely woke me up, but thanks to the cooling spray, the whole experience was not that bad at all.  In fact, I had more discomfort from the hairs ending up ingrown than the laser itself. 

I've been very pleased with the results.  The laser not only got the dark hairs, but a great deal of the light colored and fine hairs as well (nothing a couple of electrolysis appointments couldn't easily fix).  I purchased a package and was able to do my face and neck for $1000.00.  This included six laser sessions and a couple of free "touch up" sessions.

I like the GentleMAX laser so much that I'm now getting my underarms done.

 

Comment by Caroline Grace on October 11, 2012 at 4:51am

Never had laser on my beard and after your post, I am glad I haven't. Blonde and white whiskers are invulnerable to lasers apparently, so I never even started that path. My body is also invulnerable to diets, too, it appears - but I digress.

Two points I'd like to contribute:

HRT removed tons of body hair for me. It typically does so for many people and that is why Dr. McGinn says don't start hair removal until you have been on HRT for 3 months. Thinner skin and thinner hair make for easier electrolysis and HRT delivers both on the body.

The closest shave ever comes from 6 bladed razors found at CVS in the women's section. As I have yet to do beard removal (other than a 15 minute sample), I can tell you that they work so well that I have been full time for more than 2 years and everyone believes I have had the removal done already.

As far as pain goes, I have the experience of genital hair removal via electrolysis. Numbing creams work but wear off, too, so I have had a tear or two...  and more than once.

Hope this helps.

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