Reduce beard texture and growth before laser?

[Lauren5]

Currently unable to attain laser, but hopefully will in a few weeks, I've known that you have to let your beard grow for three days before a treatment. But I've a huge problem. Not a day after last shaving, I notice in a mirror about 3-4 feet away from my face that my face is specked with many dark dots, and they feel really, really rough. It's never been like this before, even not on HRT, it took a while for the beard to come back to the dark apperance. I can't even imagine what three days growth looks and feels like. I don't want to be seen as a freak, the bearded lady, or worse, male. Is there anything at all I can use to make it three days without shaving to reduce beard texture and appearance without interfering with growth for laser? Please help, I may have to revert be use of this and that's something I do not want to end up doing at all.

[Ltl89]

I don't know if this helps, but my tech told me to shave on the morning of the laser session.  She was very adamant about that.  Maybe other people will chime in and clear this up. 

[Jennygirl]

+1 on the clean shave! I have no idea why they would recommend it any other way, the pain would be unbearable and it would probably burn you :/

It's different for electrolysis, though. They need to be able to do their thing with each hair shaft, and that requires it to be grown out slightly. Not the same for laser

Maybe, just maybe, I could see them asking you to do that for body hair, because the hair is much thinner and would probably transmit some of the heat down to the root. But coarse facial hair, no way no how.. ouch!

[JamesG]

Probably confusing electo with laser.  Hair is a lousy heat conductor and the longer it is the more it actually shades the root of the follicles from the energy, which is the point of laser & IPL. About all you will get by lasing long hair is the satisfaction of seeing them crinkle up and that burnt hair smell.

[Ltl89]

+1 on the clean shave! I have no idea why they would recommend it any other way, the pain would be unbearable and it would probably burn you :/

It's different for electrolysis, though. They need to be able to do their thing with each hair shaft, and that requires it to be grown out slightly. Not the same for laser

Maybe, just maybe, I could see them asking you to do that for body hair, because the hair is much thinner and would probably transmit some of the heat down to the root. But coarse facial hair, no way no how.. ouch!

Yep, I forgot to shave the morning of once and I cried and screamed the whole way through.  And yeah, that burning hair smell never leaves you....

[Lauren5]

Maybe, just maybe, I could see them asking you to do that for body hair, because the hair is much thinner and would probably transmit some of the heat down to the root. But coarse facial hair, no way no how.. ouch!

I'd believe this, cause the place I was doing the reaserch on mostly focused on body hair removal with the laser, although they did say they offered facial as well. It also said $125 "per treatment" as the cost, but wondered what they meant by a treatment. There's 3 places around here that I can go to I think, I'll schedule a consultation when I start getting some cash rolling in.

Probably confusing electo with laser.  Hair is a lousy heat conductor and the longer it is the more it actually shades the root of the follicles from the energy, which is the point of laser & IPL. About all you will get by lasing long hair is the satisfaction of seeing them crinkle up and that burnt hair smell.

Perhaps I also confused it with electrology as well, assuming it was the same for laser since I hadn't heard otherwise. Good, that takes some pressure off.

Now all I have to worry about is the roughness and pain while shaving. That's pretty rough too.

[Ltl89]

Yeah, schedule a consultation first and hear what they say, they are usually free so just check it out.  Mine had a package deal and different sort of contracts depending on your financial status.  I pay 180 a month if that helps (just for the face).  Without a contract it was like over 300 for a session, but I think they are more pricey given my location. 

Have you tried preshaving cream and shaving gel?  I found that made my shaving experience a little better.

[Lauren5]

Yeah, schedule a consultation first and hear what they say, they are usually free so just check it out.  Mine had a package deal and different sort of contracts depending on your financial status.  I pay 180 a month if that helps (just for the face).  Without a contract it was like over 300 for a session, but I think they are more pricey given my location. 

Have you tried preshaving cream and shaving gel?  I found that made my shaving experience a little better.

How often is the reccomended frequency and number of sessions? I hear that usually 8-10 sessions is what it ends up being, which will turn out being every other week or so over summer. Is that too close together?

I have never heard of preshaving cream, and I used to use NIVIA shaving gel (although it was the foaming kind) and that still hurt even before switching to a less expensive but better smelling cream that is mostly meant for the body, especially the legs (the pain I get while putting pants after shaving my legs is a whole different story.) and really can't afford to go too much higher (it goes for $3 for 2 cans) if I actually want to earn money over summer rather than spend it all on essentials.

[Ltl89]

How often is the reccomended frequency and number of sessions? I hear that usually 8-10 sessions is what it ends up being, which will turn out being every other week or so over summer. Is that too close together?

I have never heard of preshaving cream, and I used to use NIVIA shaving gel (although it was the foaming kind) and that still hurt even before switching to a less expensive but better smelling cream that is mostly meant for the body, especially the legs (the pain I get while putting pants after shaving my legs is a whole different story.) and really can't afford to go too much higher (it goes for $3 for 2 cans) if I actually want to earn money over summer rather than spend it all on essentials.

It differs place to place, but I go once every 6 weeks.   I think that's just for the first 6-8 sessions.  Then I think it's every 2 months for the next few and then ultimately only touchups.  I pay 180 a month for the year, but I should be covered for touchups for another 2 years, at least, I think that's the case.  Generally, you want to allow the growth cycle to continue before going for the next session.  Every other week sounds a bit quick to my eyes, but I don't know if that's really the case.

I don't like using foamy shaving products.  I notice they don't really lubricate the skin as well and allow for the closest shave.  I like moisterizing shaving gel because it softens the hard hairs and allows it to get close.  Once you get laser, the hairs will become harder when they grow out, so it's harder to get a good shave at times.  As for preshave cream, it's just to moisterize the skin and prepare it for the razor.  It feels like Noxema when I put it on if you ever used that.

[Jenna Marie]

Yep, my laser tech also said I should* shave. I had great results, so it seems to have worked.

I also went about every 6 weeks for six sessions, then a couple more touch-ups (5-minute sessions) at around ten months and a year.

[ClaudiaLove]

  Hi ,

  I also shave before sessions and I guess I am lucky too - I only pay 37,5 Euro for a session ( it is a little more than 50 US dollars ) . I went for three sessions so far and the results are great , I still have some areas where hair grow ( especially the upper lip area and on the neck ) but my doctor said that in four - five more sessions I should be hairless . My sessions are three weeks apart , although now I already told her that it will take longer before we will make the next appointment because of the surgery .