And yes!, this is another laser thread...

[Elena G]

Hiya!

So I just had my first session, bloody painful in the face. Put on EMLA for an hour and a half, with plastic wrapper on it. At first it seemed like it was all numb, AT FIRST. Then hell took over, pins and needles and stuff. So my question is if there is a proper way of putting the plastic in the face to secure maximum efficacy. I put two layers of cream on, but I think I might just need a little more just on the face, based on the experience (which was surprisingly painful), and I just put the plastic on my face with almost no bubbles or space between skin-cream and plastic. Any tips (which would be more than welcome)? Any experiences with both EMLA and plastic wrappers?

Thanks! (and... ouch!)

[JennX]

I tried the EMLA cream (5% lidocaine) with plastic wrap on-top... didn't feel any more effective than w/o the plastic wrap. I also felt like an idiot with the cream plastic wrap combo on my face. After a few visits, I stopped using anything. You should more or less get used to the sensation after a visit or two. The upper lip area right under the nose is the worst.

[Elena G]

Oh, yeah, another detail I wanted to point out: my tech actually lowered the levels a bit because my skin seemed a bit too sensitive. Have you ever had an 'extra-sensitivity' issue? I mean, like really sensitive compared with any other part of your body being lasered.

[ZoeNicole]

Pain threshold may be responsible here. In a sort of unrelated event I have had 3 tattoos done on my back, the first two were fine, but the 3rd one went on for about twice as long and at one point, I went from being quite comfortable with the pain to hypersensitivity. It was quite bad after that. Maybe you reached your threshold before they got to that area? Assuming they ended there of course. Otherwise my suggestion is moot.

[JennX]

Oh, yeah, another detail I wanted to point out: my tech actually lowered the levels a bit because my skin seemed a bit too sensitive. Have you ever had an 'extra-sensitivity' issue? I mean, like really sensitive compared with any other part of your body being lasered.

No. Not really. But when I was having my legs done (both upper & lower), it would start making me a little twitchy after awhile... something like an automatic reflex action maybe. I have a pretty high pain tolerance (which can be good and bad) so I don't think I had it as bad as some others. Generally the tech will want to use the highest level you are comfortable with to achieve the best results. Electrolysis IMHO was much more painful (especially on my face) than laser.

[Penny Gurl]

Ok well I'm three laser sessions in, the first they numbed me up.. still hurt like hell but granted I had the full beard.  The second I had a different tech, no numbing cream.. holly hell did it hurt. Now however since my face is starting to get cleared and it seems like most of the really thick hairs are off, the third session wasn't nearly as bad as the first two.  They gave me the option on weather to numb or not, I opted not to since i'd be in and out in 20 min instead of an hour or so.  It hurts but only for a little while, I think shaving so close actually causes more lingering pain than the laser. So i'd say for advise, just make sure to shave as close as possible and if needed bring a razor and touch up right before.. oh and mosturize!!! It soothes your skin and also helps it heal after the session.

[vivienne]

TRUE DAT!
Elena im sorry. If you think laser is bad, just wait till you see how much "fun" electrolysis is

Compared to laser elecrolysis isnt painfull at all I think. Just like with laser though around the mouth hurts like hell..

[Penny Gurl]

Also, the type of laser can effect how much pain you feel.  Diode and the NdYag are supposedly more intense vs some others.  Basically more energy delivered to the hair so it heats up more.. which is good to kill the hair, but more heat = OUCH!

[Elena G]

Another question for you gals: how much energy/power did your laser tech use (as in joules per cm2)? I got 18 everywhere except on the face, which got 12 (as the results can attest). And how much have you been able to stand before surrendering?

Thanks!

[MaidofOrleans]

I don't get it, I keep hearing about how painful laser has been for people but when I did it, it was like no big deal. The first time the tech was all worried because she thought she was going to hurt me too bad when I didn't want to numb. She was freaking me out so much with stories of bringing people to tears.

When she started I was like "Really? That's it? You got me all worked up and freaked out for nothing!"

Then she kept asking me if I was OK like every 15 seconds and i'm sitting there smiling. 

[Beth Andrea]

I seem to have a pretty high pain tolerance...if we're talking the same type of laser + calibrations, my numbers average 24...last time the Head Mistress Tech said I would tolerate "a bit more" and for the Jr. Ms. Tech to turn it up "to there". (I found out later "to there" was to 28) I weathered that ok, but they were spooked by how red and welt-y my face had gotten...it all cleared up about 2 days after.

[Brooke777]

I do not know the levels, all I know is after getting laser done around budding breasts, the face is nothing.

[SandraJane]

...Why another LHR Thread?

Hiya!

So I just had my first session, bloody painful in the face. Put on EMLA for an hour and a half, with plastic wrapper on it. At first it seemed like it was all numb, AT FIRST. Then hell took over, pins and needles and stuff. So my question is if there is a proper way of putting the plastic in the face to secure maximum efficacy. I put two layers of cream on, but I think I might just need a little more just on the face, based on the experience (which was surprisingly painful), and I just put the plastic on my face with almost no bubbles or space between skin-cream and plastic. Any tips (which would be more than welcome)? Any experiences with both EMLA and plastic wrappers?

Thanks! (and... ouch!)

For my LHR of the Face, I used EMLA cream, started bout 2 hrs before treatment. Didn't use the plastic wrap then. The worst part was the Upper Lip! ...and OUCH!

Compared to laser elecrolysis isnt painfull at all I think. Just like with laser though around the mouth hurts like hell..

For me Electrolysis was less painful, especially the upper lip. As for the upper neck and jawline...enough pin pricking pain to be irritating. Still using the EMLA cream, rather use it than find out without it! In fact just got back from and Electrolysis session this evening.

If all of your Facial hair is dark, then stay with the LHR and try to do 8-10 treatments every 6-8 weeks without stopping. It might look like all the hair is gone after 5-6 treatments but...surprise! Some will come back!

And just like with Electrolysis...there will probably be some maintenance sessions in the future...

[Beth Andrea]

I do not know the levels, all I know is after getting laser done around budding breasts, the face is nothing.

Did they ever give you a "safety word"?

LOL 

[SandraJane]

I do not know the levels, all I know is after getting laser done around budding breasts, the face is nothing.

Away from the face is more bearable, depends on the type Laser used. Mine was done with the Luminus Learshear Duet. The large head allows for  "one pass" instead of two. Had 4 chest ab and small back areas done with LHR. Some small areas regrew, Electrolysis can take care of those also. What kind of Laser was used on you?

[SandraJane]

Did they ever give you a "safety word"?

LOL 

...like MERCY? (good book, so-so movie...lived in Houston at the time also...)

[Brooke777]

Did they ever give you a "safety word"?

LOL 

Yes. It was OH GOD PLEASE STOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Penny Gurl]

It really depends how thick the hair is to start with.  No joke I had some that could give you a splinter because they were so thick, now after a few sessions most of those have cleared and the pain is not anywhere near what it was at the start.  During my first session I was talking to the tech and she said the thinner the hair the less you feel it.

[SandraJane]

It really depends how thick the hair is to start with.  No joke I had some that could give you a splinter because they were so thick, now after a few sessions most of those have cleared and the pain is not anywhere near what it was at the start.  During my first session I was talking to the tech and she said the thinner the hair the less you feel it.

TRUE! And thicker hairs are easier than thinner hairs to get rid of with LHR.

[MaidofOrleans]

It really depends how thick the hair is to start with.  No joke I had some that could give you a splinter because they were so thick, now after a few sessions most of those have cleared and the pain is not anywhere near what it was at the start.  During my first session I was talking to the tech and she said the thinner the hair the less you feel it.

Probably explains mine.

Luckily my facial hair is rather pathetic.