Community Conversation > Hair removal
Sorting out my options
jennifer7020:
* yikes *
Its hair removal time.. and I am feeling confused about lasers, faces, and cost effectiveness. Allow me to explain.
I cast a broad net looking for effective removal, cost, and relationship. I got lots of hair in the wrong places. Since I need to spend a lot of time with my hair zapper, I need to like my hair zapper. So to speak.
So... I have electrolysis set. I found one I like and is in range for cost, schedule, and personality. Laser is proving harder. One place - a chain - has a different cost structure. The client "buys" an area, then you get as many sessions as you want in that area. If you buy correctly places like face run the same as maybe 6 or 7 sessions. Not sure if this is a good deal or not.
I hear a lot of 'laser failed on my face'.. how many sessions does it take for laser to fail on a face? My beard is dark with just the first touches of grey coming in. I am going to need electrolysis. I think the model this place uses is pricey but ok.
thoughts? how did others handle prepaying for lots of sessions? how long before you switch to electrolysis? any places you just did electro not laser?
many thanks
Jessica_Rose:
This is based on my experience. As always, YMMV.
Laser is great for those with dark hair and light skin. The lighter the hair (red, blond, grey) and the darker your skin, the less effective the treatments will be. Lasers zap small areas of the skin covering multiple hairs, while electrolysis is typically one hair at a time.
Laser worked great on body hair, everywhere EXCEPT my face and neck. My initial laser experience was at a chain called 'Ideal Image'. Although quite expensive, they did a great job. Their business model was that you paid for a certain body area, and they would treat it up to 10 times. This worked great on my back, but the hair on my face and neck was apparently too stubborn. The hairs would slough off after 10 - 14 days, but it always returned. I think I had a dozen face and neck sessions before giving up (they gave me a few extra treatments for free).
For the rest of my body (legs, stomach, arms) I went to another chain, 'Milan'. Although still expensive, they were about 20 - 25% cheaper than 'Ideal Image'. They used the same laser equipment, and had the same business model, except that the number of treatments was unlimited. I had excellent results, with only an occasional hair returning. I don't remember how many sessions I had at 'Milan', but I saw significant results after 3 - 4 sessions.
Electrolysis works everywhere for everyone. Hair and skin color do not matter. It is slow, but it is also very effective. This has been the only effective treatment for my face and neck. Even after nearly six years I still get an occasional dark hair, but you must look for them.
Hair removal is probably the most time consuming part of transition for many of us. The best time to start is a few years ago, the next best time to start is now. If you have any questions about my experiences, please let me know!
Love always -- Jessica Rose
jennifer7020:
--- Quote from: Jessica_Rose on February 02, 2023, 07:43:18 am ---This is based on my experience. As always, YMMV.
Laser is great for those with dark hair and light skin. The lighter the hair (red, blond, grey) and the darker your skin, the less effective the treatments will be. Lasers zap small areas of the skin covering multiple hairs, while electrolysis is typically one hair at a time.
Laser worked great on body hair, everywhere EXCEPT my face and neck. My initial laser experience was at a chain called 'Ideal Image'. Although quite expensive, they did a great job. Their business model was that you paid for a certain body area, and they would treat it up to 10 times. This worked great on my back, but the hair on my face and neck was apparently too stubborn. The hairs would slough off after 10 - 14 days, but it always returned. I think I had a dozen face and neck sessions before giving up (they gave me a few extra treatments for free).
For the rest of my body (legs, stomach, arms) I went to another chain, 'Milan'. Although still expensive, they were about 20 - 25% cheaper than 'Ideal Image'. They used the same laser equipment, and had the same business model, except that the number of treatments was unlimited. I had excellent results, with only an occasional hair returning. I don't remember how many sessions I had at 'Milan', but I saw significant results after 3 - 4 sessions.
Electrolysis works everywhere for everyone. Hair and skin color do not matter. It is slow, but it is also very effective. This has been the only effective treatment for my face and neck. Even after nearly six years I still get an occasional dark hair, but you must look for them.
Hair removal is probably the most time consuming part of transition for many of us. The best time to start is a few years ago, the next best time to start is now. If you have any questions about my experiences, please let me know!
Love always -- Jessica Rose
--- End quote ---
Thanks Jessica!
My chain is "Semper Laser". Like I said, they have a model along the lines of you pay for an area for life.. and get as many sessions as you need or want. Forever. Their pricing just comes out on the high end. What I am reading into what you wrote is that I should try laser on my face, for 6+ sessions. Then move on.
Hmmm. Let me put this differently. I am pretty sure the theme of laser was of limited effectiveness on my face, so I moved on is common. Its the how quick should I plan on moving on? If I am paying by the session or even by three session clusters, moving on is easy and inexpensive. If I pre-buy a 'forever' package at a premium, I risk losing money I don't have. Does that make sense?
I kinda sorta am starting to feel ok at the price. It works to a high-end single session price over 6 sessions. Which, I think, is probably around the time you switch to electro. I should probably call and see if I can buy my facial sessions in a more limited way..
many thanks. feels a little clearer now.
Jenn
Jessica_Rose:
I'm not convinced that laser had any long-term effect on my facial hair. Part of me thinks it was a waste of money, while the other part says it was nice to feel no stubble at all for a week or so. When I started about 6 years ago, the package price for laser on my face and neck was around $5000. I certainly don't consider that to be affordable, but I was desperate to get it done. When I look back on it now, it would have been better to use those funds for electrolysis.
Again, this is highly YMMV. Some people have great results with laser. If the rates are reasonable and affordable, then it won't hurt to give it a try.
Love always -- Jessica Rose
jennifer7020:
--- Quote from: Jessica_Rose on February 02, 2023, 08:38:50 am ---I'm not convinced that laser had any long-term effect on my facial hair. Part of me thinks it was a waste of money, while the other part says it was nice to feel no stubble at all for a week or so. When I started about 6 years ago, the package price for laser on my face and neck was around $5000. I certainly don't consider that to be affordable, but I was desperate to get it done. When I look back on it now, it would have been better to use those funds for electrolysis.
Again, this is highly YMMV. Some people have great results with laser. If the rates are reasonable and affordable, then it won't hurt to give it a try.
Love always -- Jessica Rose
--- End quote ---
* wow * $5000 that sounds pricey. eve. now.
I am really caught and thanks for your input. Semper has a model along the lines of areas. They are willing to count my face and neck as one area. The most economical way to buy areas is four packs. Four areas for $7200. Unlimited sessions in areas (and zero percent financing over 2 years). So my face/neck, which they've agreed to do as one area for me, is $1800 as one of four areas. Or I can do 4 other areas.. and skip to electro on my face/neck. 1800 is around 18 hours of electro-hair-zapping. We'll see what electro and laser people say.
I will say I really liked the people at Semper too. The receptionist and the manager who met with me had obviously worked in the community.. and were not afraid to laugh a bit with me. I like that.
I guess I am at the beginning of the pricey part of transition.
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