First laser session

[cindy16]

I had my first laser session for facial hair removal today.

And oh well... I think it is the most painful thing I have ever chosen to do. But now 2-3 hours later, the pain seems bearable, although my face is all red.

So it started with a brief consultation with the dermatologist. It lasted barely 10 minutes, followed by a few more minutes with the 'clinic manager', who started by saying they only do 'beard shaping' and not full removal. When I said that the lady who fixed my appointment as well as the dermatologist had both said full removal can be done, she went out and came back after a few minutes and confirmed it could be done.
I still don't know if that was because they never had a 'male' client before asking for full beard removal or some other reason.

Anyway, on to the session itself, which started with a shave that seemed more painful than my daily ones, and then heaps of xylocaine which I was left with for almost an hour. Thank heavens for that, because I was really numb by then and still the laser was so painful. I can't imagine what it's like without that numbing gel. The lasering itself took about 30-40 minutes I think, and I only stopped it a few times for a few seconds when it got too painful.
The dermatologist came by to see what was going on, and asked me a few times if I was ok. I kept saying yes, even though I was visibly shaking and grimacing at every zap.

Finally it got done and I came back with a face that's red all over. Although it feels smooth, I'm looking forward to 3-4 days from now, when hopefully the hair will fall out and the redness will go away.

[awilliams1701]

The redness lasts for days? That sucks. Maybe I need to look into starting on a Friday then to minimize the appearance when I go back to work on Monday.

[Cat]

The redness only lasts 2-3 hours for me.  If it lasts for days, you should definitely notify your clinician of that (not saying there's a problem necessarily, just that the technicians at my place are always very keen to know exactly how long the redness lasted).  The shedding will take 2-3 weeks (for me it peaks between 9-12 days but everyone is different).  I tend to get mine done on a Thursday night or Friday so that I can give it a day or two to recover, and then I'm ok to shave and wear makeup in plenty time for the start of the next week.

Laser without the numbing gel... is not very pleasant at all, I can confirm. ;_;

[mmmmm]

Don't panic... the redness usually go away in 6-12 hours at beginning. With higher settings (like 7+ sessions in) there might be some redness and swelling the next day, but it's not really that bad (remember we are all different, it might not be the same for you). The burned hair, which cannot be shaved sufficiently, are a problem, but more for those who are already full-time. Hair will start to fall out at around 2 weeks, you can help this process with twezzers (if you have time), because some hair will get loose 4-5 days after laser, and some a few days later, and you can painlessly pick it out (leave those which are not loose).

[DrummerGirl]

Are you putting an ice pack on your face immediately after treatment?  My laser technician asked if I wanted an ice pack after my first treatment, and I stupidly declined.  The redness took several days to go away.  After that session, I now always get an ice pack and the swelling and redness goes away in hours.  As a bonus it helps dull the pain too.  If your laser center doesn't have any ice packs, I would suggest bringing one in a cooler so you can apply it on the way home.

[ainsley]

Good for you, Cindy!

Yep, the redness goes away faster after each session.  I just got my face lased again yesterday.  I think it is my 8th or 9th session and it still hurt like a you know what around the mouth.  But, the redness and swelling was much better this session.  That must mean progress!  Mine usually takes about 5 days for all of the killed and burnt black hairs to come out after the session.  It is totally worth it, IMHO.

And my Dr. always has me put ice packs on it afterward until the heat is removed.  Just FYI.

[carsandsarcasm]

Is that clinic your best option? My sessions take 10 minutes, no numbing cream, I can get through them without flinching, no redness, no swelling, no problems. I don't describe my sessions as painful at all, not pleasant, but very bearable.

[iKate]

Are they using the Nd:YAG? You said you are Indian so I'm assuming not fair (white) skin. That's what they use on me. The redness goes away after a couple of hours but the next day the hairs start to push out and there's a slight sharp sensation like needles when I bristle the hairs. That's good.

I shave the morning of my treatment and I use a strong numbing cream as well as 2 aleve. It hurts during the treatment like someone shooting sand at high velocity at your face. But it's over with in a few minutes unlike electrolysis which is an hour of torture.

[iKate]

Is that clinic your best option? My sessions take 10 minutes, no numbing cream, I can get through them without flinching, no redness, no swelling, no problems. I don't describe my sessions as painful at all, not pleasant, but very bearable.

What kind of laser?

[Gabrielle_22]

First, congrats on starting laser hair removal.

I've had six sessions so far; only the first three left me with a reddish face for a few hours. My last few sessions do leave some redness, but it's less than before. You can cover up the redness with makeup immediately after laser, though, so there's no need to walk around with a burnt-lobster face if you have a medium-to-full-coverage foundation/bb cream you can use.

Every session for me has hurt, but I found that taking a painkiller about an hour before the session helped with the pain. I've usually shaved the afternoon before a session the next morning, rather than the morning of, though I know many laser technicians advise shaving the day of. My laser person advised shaving the day before, and it's not been a problem for me, anyway. She also advised me not to use anything on my face before the laser session--no creams or anything that might inflame the skin more during the session. The first time around, I had used cream before the session on my face, and the laser hurt terribly, but I haven't done so since and the pain is notably less. This is with the YAG laser.

But the pain is still intense even with a painkiller, and so my technician has been giving me a stress ball to hold from the second session onwards. Just having something to grip has helped a little as those beams shoot into my face.

And the hairs may take longer than 3 - 4 days to begin shedding--usually between 5 and 11 days. Don't expect them to all fall out at once, either. They'll keep shedding for a few days.

Good luck with it!

[monica93304]

I did 6 sessions over a year ago.  It really slowed down the growth rate.  I can function as a woman now.  My face is smooth.  I'm going to do another 6 sessions soon.

In my case, I believe that with my T levels being low, it actually helped.  The hair on my body in general is weaker.  My facial hair is thinner thankfully.

Totally worth the slight pain.

[cindy16]

Thanks everyone for the replies.

The redness is much lesser now after a full night's sleep, less enough that I can get out and go to work etc. The pain is also much lesser now, and so is this lingering smell of burning hair in my nose and mouth. So Friday evenings for sessions might be a great idea, but any other evening is also OK. I still present male everywhere so I do not have to worry about not being able to shave or hair falling out over many days etc.

They used the Nd:YAG laser. They applied ice packs right after the treatment and gave me some cream which I am supposed to apply twice daily for about 5 days. Regarding shaving before the session, they said they'll do it themselves anyway, so it's best if I don't shave for 2 days before the session.

I think my reaction to the pain was because I anyway have very sensitive skin and a low pain threshold. It might vary for others.
I saw in their brochure that they had a 'pain free laser' option but I don't know what technology they use for that. I might ask them next time about it.
And the place I went to belongs to a well-known chain of clinics here. There are other options but not sure if they would be any better. There are no electrolysis places here that I know of, but hopefully I won't need that.

Btw, is there anyone here who got laser done long before starting HRT? I am still not sure if/when I'll go for HRT, so I don't know if the T levels will bring all the hair back in a few years or so. The dermatologist (whom I didn't tell anything about being trans or HRT etc) did say that maintenance sessions about once or twice a year may be required, so I am just curious how that works.

[cindy16]

burnt-lobster face

Btw, this is what I am going to use next time onwards to describe my face.

[iKate]

I believe the "pain free laser" is the alexandrite which doesn't work on darker skin. I mean they can use it on you but will have to turn it down so low it won't really be effective. The Nd:YAG was designed for darker skin.

I go back next week for treatment #3.

I started out with electrolysis before HRT. Not sure it would have made much of a difference, but E And spiro has thinned out the hair a bit.

[Jessika]

I just got session #4 done a couple of days ago and it was painful as always lol. It seems like the hair does grow back a lot slower but all the dark hairs seem to still be there. Am I wrong or seeing things? Or just different follicles sprouting?
The power get's turned up each session also.

I go in for my first HRT visit next month. Maybe starting on Hormones will help a little, I am not sure.

[mmmmm]

probably not.. Its best to do as much laser sessions before HRT as possible, as HRT will make some hair thinner, and some possibly lighter in color.

Patience! usually the first real difference can be seen after 5-6 sessions... most what was affected after first sessions will grow back in next few months, but again, enough will be destroyed for good, and there will be an obvious difference by then.


iKate... I wouldn't describe alexandrite laser as a pain free laser.. I had my face cleared with it in the past year and half, and even though I never needed painkillers, or numbing cream it was faaaar from painfree

[katrinaw]

Thanks girls, all good stuff, not sure about the Lobster look and pain tho?

I will be starting Laser/Electro soon, Laser first to see how it goes and Electro if necessary. Benny on HRT forever and facial hair is lighter, still some dark, and fair skin...

So think I am getting nervous 

Actually was already aware of some of what's been discussed, I will be looking for Alexandrite... Got that far...

L Katy 

[mmmmm]

Generally all pro lasers work about the same on people with light skin tone. It's hard to compare for exact comparison to be made, but people who have the right combination of skin-hair color usually have good results regardless of exact type of machine. If it may take 2 sessions more with one, or two sessions less with other, that shouldn't really matter that much in the end. Someday not having to shave ever again is all that really matters.

[Kova V]

Congrats! Yay for blasting our faces with high power lasers! Now if only we'd get super powers...

[Jen72]

Congratulations on the start it will nice to have much smoother skin:)

Just happen to do 4th session the other day which I did swell but much better then previous experience. My first two were pretty smooth sailing but the third I had broke out with acne under some of the hairs or maybe body trying to expel the hairs. I have to mention after like the next day exfoliate your skin it will help a lot not sure on same day either but at least next day will help the hairs come out and keep pores open to ok sounds gross but bleed out some excess liquid from zapping your follicle and fat under the skin. I am fortunate with fair skin but the oily part not so much just saying if you break out clean your skin and or exfoliate it will be much better and less pain after. Heard of some using witchhazxel too.