Started Laser Hair Removal with the LYRA laser!

[Mrs. Tina Johnson]

Yay, I'm so exited! I just wanted to announce that I started laser hair removal today! Every little step takes me closer to my transition goal:)
Anyway, the laser felt like needles poking my face! But since my whole face was done in 15 minutes, it was not bad at all!
The laser they used on my face is called LYRA. I could tell the laser was doing a good job because you could smell the acrid stench of cinched hair in the room.
I was clean shaven so that meant that the laser was burning my hair follicles under my skin!
The clinic I'm attending has different types of lasers for different types of skin and applications. On my first session today, the laser was set at 14. But the technician can set it higher or lower depending on your pain tolerance. She told me she uses it on her legs and cranks it up to 40 and sometimes 45! 

[Eonist]

So how does it look/feel two days later?

[Mrs. Tina Johnson]

Hi Eonist,
To me, my facial hair looks and feels the same.
I want to say my goatee area maybe looks less thick and dark (less hair)?
But it is hard for me to tell, so far.
Hey, you just gave me an idea!
I'll post pics of my bearded face every time I get laser treatment. That way, you all can be more objective on my progress and judge if it is something you want to consider for yourselves (That is, if you are considering this treatment, of course.)

[justmeinoz]

Congratulations on joining the Fried Follicles Club!  
Have you noticed hairs falling out yet? Usually took mine a week or so. I ended up having 6 sessions, and those that are left are all grey or white, so I can go a couple of days without shaving if I really have to.
Doesn't it feel strange thanking someone for burning your face off??
Karen

[Mrs. Tina Johnson]

Hi Karen,
The Fried Follicles Club! Yay!
Unfortunately, I haven't noticed any of my facial hair falling off. That means I'm probably going to need a lot of sessions. Plus I haven't started HRT, so that might have something to do with it?
But I have previously gone as far as plucking every single hair off my face (a bloody mess)! So burning my face off doesn't feel too strange, for me LOL.

By the way, this is me this past winter: Overweight, no photoshop, no makeup, no nothing. I was just starting to grow my hair out.
I guess this photo is a good reference picture for my starting point. See all the dark facial hair I have to deal with? Nasty!
Anyway, now that I've had my first laser session, I'll post a new, updated pic.

[justmeinoz]

I found that a week or so after a session I could go over my face with tweezers and very gently pull on the hairs and a lot would just fall straight out.
They just hadn't got around to it under their own steam.I could really see a huge difference  after the third session.

Karen. 

[Mrs. Tina Johnson]

As promised... Me today 7.20.11
No photoshop, no makeup, no HRT, no nothing!
Just my nasty facial hair after one laser treatment.
Compare it to my other photo I posted here.

[Mrs. Tina Johnson]

Hi Y'all,
Karen, my facial hair started falling out, just like you said! 
I just posted my first pic with makeup!

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,101578.msg760768.html#msg760768