Bottom Laser Question???

[Gail20]

I have my first laser session in the am when they open and can't ask them this question before I arrive . . . .

I had my face lasered years ago and I believe back then they wanted the hair to be just protruding the skin. So for bottom laser do they want hair trimmed to be maybe 1/8th inch long or should I just leave it alone?

[Dena]

I have never done laser before so I am not an expert or even very knowledgeable but I think they would want it cut close. If the hair is long when you receive treatment, it's going to burn in the open air and cause additional damage to the surface of the skin. I know for electrolysis they need enough length to get tweezers on the hair but with laser, long hair is an issue.

[Gail20]

I have never done laser before so I am not an expert or even very knowledgeable but I think they would want it cut close. If the hair is long when you receive treatment, it's going to burn in the open air and cause additional damage to the surface of the skin. I know for electrolysis they need enough length to get tweezers on the hair but with laser, long hair is an issue.

Thank you.  I believe you're correct.  I just looked up brazilian hair removal and they said virtually the same thing. . .

[Brooke]

Yes. I've had about 3 laser sessions around the surgical site so far. You definitely want a close clean shave. The closer the shave the more effective the laser treatment will be.

My typical routine is to shave the area 3 days in a row before my appointment. I find that the angle of the hair follicles and my angle of approach with the razor makes it far too easy to get razor burn if I try and get super close the first time.

I also use lotion on the area after. (Usually doing this in shower before bed).

By the 3rd night it just needs a quick touch up and is good for laser the next day. Definitely helps with pain (both during and after) when the skin is not already irritated.

I also use an over the counter lidocaine gel about 30 min before the appointment.

Other tips is wear loose clothing the day of and the day after. You probably don't want to need to tuck for 48 hours after.

Should feel like a mild sun burn for a few days max. Much more irritating to me at least then the laser on face.


~Brooke~

[Gail20]

Thank you, thank you, thank you . . . so very helpful! 

[Gail20]

Wow!  I can't believe how fast the first clearing was but then she said I did not have as much hair as others she's done. The pain was very bearable but I had slathered on 4% Lidocaine cream a half an hour before hand and took a couple Tylenol.  I evidently didn't go far enough down because that area was more painful than all the rest. . . still I'm soooo happy with how quick it was.  The price was through the roof but they have the best equipment in town and a very skilled and experienced person doing this for me so . . . .

[Brooke]

Glad you had a good experience!

Yeah. That price is something I'll never get used to. The most expensive 15 minutes I'll ever (willingly) spend.

I just have to remember that I'm paying for the equipment and tech's experience.

It's not about how long it takes to tinker, but knowing where to tinker.  The old Henry Ford- Knowing where to tinker homily.


"Nikola Tesla visited Henry Ford at his factory, which was having some kind of difficulty. Ford asked Tesla if he could help identify the problem area. Tesla walked up to a wall of boilerplate and made a small X in chalk on one of the plates. Ford was thrilled, and told him to send an invoice.
The bill arrived, for $10,000. Ford asked for a breakdown. Tesla sent another invoice, indicating a $1 charge for marking the wall with an X, and $9,999 for knowing where to put it."

Also the contrast to the amount of time spent under the electrolysis needle on an hourly rate doesn't help. Logically I think we know that the end result is what's important, but I still can't help but feel I'm getting ripped off. Then again I remind myself that I also just paid to avoid several hours of pain and personal time under the needle for a similar outcome.


~Brooke~

[Gail20]

Totally agree with all your points. And a big thank you for your support!!

When I had my face done about 13 years ago, the Laser equipment was not nearly as sophisticated, so my expectations were totally out of date.  When she said she was done I was absolutely stunned.  Also, I've been thinking that this area wont really calm down much from now till 6 months after surgery. (February)  But this is all good. . . .

[RockiesRhea]

Ive had a dozen laser sessions on my face.
11 from one clinic 1 from another.

There are different types of laser removal methods. They differ in this way.

The one I had 11 at want it so freshly shaved that if they see stubble they take a disposable razor to the area.
The other clinic wanted a teeny tiny bit of stubble.

The 1 time clinic burned the living daylights out of my face resulting in permanent scars. I pretty certain they jacked up the power output way to high. About 10 minutes after the session it felt like a grease burn from cooking.

I would suggest taking your favorite razor with you and some shave cream. If they want stubble they have it. If they want a perfect shave you can take 5 min in the bathroom and problem solved

[AnneK]

When I started laser, I shaved before I went, as requested.  But later, after losing a lot of hair, I was asked not to, so they'd know what areas still needed work.  They then shaved that area prior to using the laser.

[Gail20]

Just a reminder.  This is about bottom laser. . . . 

The day after I'm perfectly OK. As some have described it feels like a mild sunburn, but for me, only in one small part of the area treated.  I'm virtually certain this is due to the fact my hair is not nearly as dense others. Guess I'm just fortunate in this way. Age has some advantages. .