Started laser ^_^

[immortal gypsy]

Seven thousand dollars? Are you freaking kidding me it's that's expensive?

"Beauty is pain" as I'm told every session. Both on the body and the hip pocket

[alexis.j]

I had my 7th (I think) laser session yesterday, and I doubt it will be less than 10-14 sessions in total, to get almost all the hairs...
Pain and results depend mainly on the type of system used. You should be using the  best unit on the market for best results (not mentioning the make, because it will probably start a mine is better than yours war...), but stay away from IPL, which is anyway not considered laser, and a total waste of money IMHO...
The pain factor was quite intense on my upper lip, even with numbing cream. The rest of the face is acceptable.  The pain gets less every passing session, as the hairs become less dense (you feel absolutely nothing when the laser is fired on skin that has no hairs), so less hair = less heat and pain.
The first 7-10 days after treatment,  I dont even bother with trying to cover with makup, as the hairs are extremely course and dark (much worse than the normal/pre-treated hairs, and a smooth shave still ends up with ugly/obvious thick black hairs...
The price to pay for what I want, I guess.....
No pain no gain.....
Its tough being a girl.....
And the list goes on :-)

[Allyda]

Seven thousand dollars? Are you freaking kidding me it's that's expensive?

I agree -I've never heard of laser costing that much no matter how many sessions you schedule.

Ally

[Jill F]

So far I've done 9 sessions with a LightSheer Duet and one with IPL since January 2013.  It's $150 a pop.

I can't find any dark ones now, so I guess it's working.  I'm assuming a few more will pop up in time (they always do!) and I plan on one more for when that happens.

The rest all have to come out with electro.  I'm going to wait until after the orchi when the chances of follicle regeneration are much less.

[AnnaCannibal]

I'm going to go against the grain here and say go with the higher priced place, but most importantly do your research on what type of laser they use!  I've seen horror stories of girls going to the cheaper places and having....less than optimal results.  $7650 is a bit high, but I'm pretty sure you're going to a spa that uses the most up to date equipment and sanitary practices.

[Ravensong]

I actually agree with AnnaCannibal.  Especially here in S. Florida, the higher priced places usually, but not always, do have a much better setup in whatever it is.  And as LittleEmily can probably attest, in South Florida, if a cosmetic service costs $100 anywhere else, it will be $250 here.  Unfortunately, that's just how it is down here, since vanity is everything, and people will pay whatever and not care about the cost.

[Allyda]

I actually agree with AnnaCannibal.  Especially here in S. Florida, the higher priced places usually, but not always, do have a much better setup in whatever it is.  And as LittleEmily can probably attest, in South Florida, if a cosmetic service costs $100 anywhere else, it will be $250 here.  Unfortunately, that's just how it is down here, since vanity is everything, and people will pay whatever and not care about the cost.

I live in Florida too and agree. Things here are generally a lot more costwise, especially services, than they are elsewhere with the exception of my home state of Cali, NYC, and Washington DC., and maybe Las Vegas. I haven't lived anywhere else but these places with the exception of Northern W.Va for a while, and it was the only place cheaper on things such as laser/electro treatments.

Ally

[TaoRaven]

Wow....that is painfully expensive. $300 per session (face) here, 4-6 sessions for completion.

[Kamyu]

I checked with my local dermatology clinic a week ago or so. I forgot to ask about face, but for legs they quoted $1500 a session and for torso+arms they quoted $1000 a session. They estimated about 5 sessions. Their deal was buy 4, get the 5th session free. Even then, that's pricy I think. I'm getting a 2nd quote from a different place this week. Hopefully will be much cheaper.

They use a Starlux IPL Laser if what I was told is correct.

~Kamyu

[xponentialshift]

I'm pretty sure IPL is the treatment that doesn't work permanently for hair removal.  I was told to make sure it was an Alexandrite laser (lightsheer was mentioned earlier and that is alexandrite according to my laser tech).
So I would definitely not pay thousands for IPL if there are any other options. I think I pay $126 for face and neck per session (Alexandrite laser ) every 4 weeks plus a free touch up at the 2 week in between mark.

One good way of deciding if a place is good could be how packed their schedule is. My place rarely has openings less than 2 weeks I n advance.

Edit: I'm in Marin County (an affluent area of CA) so I would hope that price is comparable to other places too.

[Kamyu]

I live in a fairly small community area. The place I'm going this week for a free eval uses both IPL and Laser. Not sure what kind offhand. I am going to ask though as well as talk to them about laser hair for face and underarms. Also going to talk to them about another procedure they do called MiraDry. It's for underarm sweat/odor elimination. Not sure on that one yet. Thought it would be a good one to have if I have underarm laser hair.

[Allyda]

I live in a fairly small community area. The place I'm going this week for a free eval uses both IPL and Laser. Not sure what kind offhand. I am going to ask though as well as talk to them about laser hair for face and underarms. Also going to talk to them about another procedure they do called MiraDry. It's for underarm sweat/odor elimination. Not sure on that one yet. Thought it would be a good one to have if I have underarm laser hair.

Funny, I've never had underarm hair, and rarely sweat there at all. I could jog all day and my armpits would barely be damp. My arms and legs would be drenched though, lol!, icky sweat, yuck!, ew! However I do know a few girls both cis and trans who could benefit from this procedure. Keep us informed Kamyu. You've a pretty name by the way.

Ally

[Amy The Bookworm]

I've just recently started laser as well. I'm on my third treatment for it and I'm getting it done through a dermatologist for 200 dollars a treatment, and am having my face and neck worked on. I'm considered an ideal candidate, with dark hair and light skin. So far I'm extremely pleased with the results. My upper lips is by far the worst place to have done as while the rest of it feels like something burning, that area feels like ... something physically being slammed into my face. Like a small hammer or something. The whole experience is so painful for me, that she's going to use a topical pain killer next time. They're recommending between 6-8 sessions, so I have 3 more minimum to go.

My greatest concern by far is how long it will stay away, though. I hear conflicting advice. Some people say that after 6-8 treatments (the woman doing the treatments for one, but I've also heard this from others) I'll simply need a yearly touch up, while other people insist that laser is a complete waste of money and time, claiming that it will all come back in less than a year. I'm still trying it, but the differences in experiences worries me, as it's a lot of money to gamble with.

[Allyda]

None of my dark hairs have come back and I laser'd them off well over 6 months ago, actually, more like 8 or 9 months ago. Though I still have a few grays to deal with on my face, there's a reason they are still there. I'm making slow progress using the carbon dye however for these I may see out and electrologist.

As for hairs coming back? I suspect this may be the same as with anything else when it comes to feminization and/or transition, it depends a lot on age and genetics.

I'm sorry I don't have more to  offer.

Ally