Laser... one session - after photo

KabitTarah · October 11, 2013, 08:40:02 AM

Here it is... not only the first picture of me on this site, but my "after" picture from one session of Laser. I didn't have the forethought to take a "before" pic... but you'll get the idea from this. The "empty" spots are where she covered with the laser during that session. They're also the spots that are still a bit red, but the redness has mostly gone (they were practically welts for about a week). This is 24 hours of hair growth. I am waiting until about an hour before my appointment to shower & shave this time!

My neck, chin, upper lip, and sideburns grow the fastest... cheeks are much thinner and slower growing.

barbie · October 11, 2013, 08:53:13 AM

Hairs in that area are extremly resistant. After more than 10 Tria sessions, I still see many fine hairs above my upper lip. Fortunately I do not have noticeable hairs in neck and most of face.

Barbie~~

KabitTarah · October 11, 2013, 04:08:17 PM

What an absolutely wonderful session this was!!
Yes, it was painful... but no, not nearly as bad as last time.

My tech thought I was a model patient and took "after" photos of me, too! (Just neck, like mine). My neck should be nearly bare in 2 weeks...

And between the endorphins and just being soooo happy at getting this done... I'm almost 100% sure it's the happiest I've ever felt. With 3 kids, I don't say that lightly... but my veil was on back then, and the birth of a child is stressful, tiring, and painful (and THAT's for the father 😉 think of how it was for the mother). That's not to mention the dysphoria throughout.

I'm still just so happy... and the drug (the one I generate myself, that is) has worn off.

Thylacin · October 11, 2013, 04:19:39 PM

How long after your first session is this? I had my first session 4 days ago and I haven't noticed any changes. I know it can take a while for the hair to fall out, but it still feels like the hair is all the same as before!

KabitTarah · October 11, 2013, 04:26:40 PM

Exactly three weeks. I took the photo this morning and today's my 2nd session - three weeks in. I noticed big changes in the amount of hair at 2 weeks.

I'm different - my face was red and swollen for almost those full 2 weeks (about a week and a half before it started disappearing). Most people don't seem to get that, but she said I was a model before & after patient.

Thylacin · October 11, 2013, 04:56:14 PM

Ah ok. I was slightly red after treatment, then back to normal the next morning. I was thinking that the hair would feel different in some way, and since it didn't I felt like I was being paranoid that I am cursed to always have this facial hair!
Hopefully some kind of results appear in a couple of weeks! It's so exciting!

Jenny07 · October 11, 2013, 05:03:02 PM

Just wait till about session 6 and compare it to the first. You will be amazed at the change.

I personally find Laser enjoyable knowing the differences it makes and how it totally doesn't hurt.

Then the dreaded white hairs and electro....

J

KabitTarah · October 11, 2013, 05:32:00 PM

Quote from: Jenny07 on October 11, 2013, 05:03:02 PM
Just wait till about session 6 and compare it to the first. You will be amazed at the change.
I personally find Laser enjoyable knowing the differences it makes and how it totally doesn't hurt.

Then the dreaded white hairs and electro....

J

She keeps telling me I'll be coming back for a year or more! 6 sessions gets me through about 4 months...

I really hope whatever white I have is minimal. I only notice it when my beard has grown out significantly... so they ARE there... but patchily and thinly.

Jenny07 · October 11, 2013, 06:48:03 PM

Yeah that's right. I've lost count of the number of sessions I have had as mine was very bad. 9 o'clock shadow

Started August last year and still going. Now 8 weeks between sessions. Took the time to do legs, underarms front and back alternating as well.
Almost, almost all gone.

Feels good inside that it's gone/going doesn't it.

J

KabitTarah · October 11, 2013, 07:18:22 PM

Quote from: Jenny07 on October 11, 2013, 06:48:03 PM
Yeah that's right. I've lost count of the number of sessions I have had as mine was very bad. 9 o'clock shadow
Started August last year and still going. Now 8 weeks between sessions. Took the time to do legs, underarms front and back alternating as well.
Almost, almost all gone.

Feels good inside that it's gone/going doesn't it.

J

It feels more than amazing 😀 I've been giddy since my appointment at 3... and it hasn't stopped yet!

Yep... count me in the immediate shadow group. Mine's more like "6-am shadow" ... as soon as I shave it's there. Well... no more! Now it's more like "6-am what disease do you have that's making your skin all patchy."

Thylacin · October 11, 2013, 08:34:40 PM

Quote from: Jenny07 on October 11, 2013, 06:48:03 PM
Yeah that's right. I've lost count of the number of sessions I have had as mine was very bad. 9 o'clock shadow
Started August last year and still going. Now 8 weeks between sessions. Took the time to do legs, underarms front and back alternating as well.
Almost, almost all gone.

Feels good inside that it's gone/going doesn't it.

J

Ah! I've just started and haven't had any results yet, and I'm already excited that I'm beginning in this process! 😀

Lauren5 · October 11, 2013, 08:43:08 PM

Keep going, you'll get there 🙂

Ltl89 · October 12, 2013, 11:00:19 AM

Congrats Kabit!

By the way, did they make you grow your hair out a bit or were you allowed to do it clean shaven? I'd hate to go in with a beard or something. Besides, there is enough of a beard shadow for them to work with.

KabitTarah · October 12, 2013, 12:29:05 PM

As clean shaven as possible for Laser (at least with the Lightsheer Duet). The first time I went in after work for a 3 pm appointment. I'd shaven at 6 am and I think that's why recovery took so long afterward.

This time I don't even see any redness yet (fingers crossed). I shaved at 1-1:30 for my 3 pm. Either that or the thinner hair saved me this time, I hope. I'm kind of nervous now (ok... not really...... too much) because last time I know it worked 😉

Thylacin · October 13, 2013, 03:11:32 PM

Quote from: kabit on October 12, 2013, 12:29:05 PM
As clean shaven as possible for Laser (at least with the Lightsheer Duet). The first time I went in after work for a 3 pm appointment. I'd shaven at 6 am and I think that's why recovery took so long afterward.

This time I don't even see any redness yet (fingers crossed). I shaved at 1-1:30 for my 3 pm. Either that or the thinner hair saved me this time, I hope. I'm kind of nervous now (ok... not really...... too much) because last time I know it worked

I don't know. I shaved the night before my appointment (around 10pm), and went through a full day before my appointment at 7:30pm the next day, and I was recovered the next day. I had very short stubble and my facial hair has never grown very fast though.

Also! I think some of the shedding has begun (already?!?) !!! I shaved clean this morning, and just exfoliated and now I have little short hairs poking out of my skin. I picked at one and it just came out by itself. It's so exciting!
Although, that might have just been a random weird hair, I don't really know what the shedding is like.

KabitTarah · October 13, 2013, 03:26:51 PM

Quote from: Thylacin on October 13, 2013, 03:11:32 PM
I don't know. I shaved the night before my appointment (around 10pm), and went through a full day before my appointment at 7:30pm the next day, and I was recovered the next day. I had very short stubble and my facial hair has never grown very fast though.

Also! I think some of the shedding has begun (already?!?) !!! I shaved clean this morning, and just exfoliated and now I have little short hairs poking out of my skin. I picked at one and it just came out by itself. It's so exciting!
Although, that might have just been a random weird hair, I don't really know what the shedding is like.

Everyone's different. I shaved this morning at 8-9 am and already have significant hair at 4 pm. I also have sensitive skin - my neck always gets razor burn (unless I'm extremely careful).

From my very, very limited experience, the more clean shaven you are the less it hurts. It also could have hurt less because my hair is simply thinner now.

KabitTarah · October 16, 2013, 07:01:46 PM

Here it is after session two and 5 days...

Much, much less noticeable than a week after the 1st session (where I looked like a red striped idiot). You can see a bit of red under the hair where the lasers zapped me. You can see the same patchiness from before. Another week to week and a half and there will be even less hair down there!

Today was the first time anyone noticed, and I have confirmation that at least one person was totally oblivious. Someone asked me what it was - he's someone I don't see often. I said I had a bit of a break out and the issue was put to rest. Someone I see daily was there too... and it was like a lightbulb went off - hey, that does look weird - how did I not notice it... she's not the most observant person, but hopefully will be a work ally when the time comes.

So no. People don't notice it... or if they do, they pass it off. The best place to hide is often in plain sight, I suppose.

KabitTarah · November 01, 2013, 04:25:43 PM

After session two I've had a much easier time shaving. The patterns are similar, but lighter and thinner, and with less hair at the edges (I'll take a pic in a few days... forgot to do it right before session three).

Session three was painful, but not nearly as bad as the first one. I think that first session had all the pain plus all the shock factor. I also didn't shave *right* before hand (having done it this morning at 5:30). That led to some black marks and blackened hairs that fell right out after the treatment.

I LOVE LASER!!! The pain gives me tons of endorphins, plus the utter enjoyment of actually DOING something for my transition. This is all I have right now - aside from growing out my head hair. Shaving has just gotten old (and I reaaaaaly want my AAs).

barbie · November 03, 2013, 03:06:50 AM

Quote from: kabit on November 01, 2013, 04:25:43 PM
After session two I've had a much easier time shaving. The patterns are similar, but lighter and thinner, and with less hair at the edges (I'll take a pic in a few days... forgot to do it right before session three).

Session three was painful, but not nearly as bad as the first one. I think that first session had all the pain plus all the shock factor. I also didn't shave *right* before hand (having done it this morning at 5:30). That led to some black marks and blackened hairs that fell right out after the treatment.

I LOVE LASER!!! The pain gives me tons of endorphins, plus the utter enjoyment of actually DOING something for my transition. This is all I have right now - aside from growing out my head hair. Shaving has just gotten old (and I reaaaaaly want my AAs).

Yes. Pain will be gradually diminished as you continue the sessions.

barbie~~

Allie · November 18, 2013, 07:40:03 PM

I had my first face session on Friday, it was the worst pain I have ever felt. My chest and my neck were not very painful but once she hit my upper lips YIKES. When she took off my goggles there had to be about a half a glass of tears that poured out. Of course my skin turns red from lidocaine so no numbing creme and having mediterranean skin just makes everything burn. I was feeling my "fight or flight" kicking in. When she finished I couldn't wait to schedule my next appointment... there are worse kinds of pain