Laser Hair Removal

[TranscendingGender]

I've been going to this small spa for awhile now and am on my 7th treatment. I'm paying $40 per individual visit. At first she was making my appointments 4 weeks apart, after some research I forced her to make them 8 apart. We have made some good progress but I'm still having to shave every day and my mustache isn't seeing much progress at all. I contacted Sona Med Spa and they charge A LOT more but promised much better results with a lifetime warranty. So I'm starting to think that my current tech doesn't know what she is doing.. the price is really cheap, compared to Sona which wants 2-3K in the end. I have pale skin and thick, jet, black hair. I've been researching about this for.. too long and I just can't get a straight answer. Some people say just pay the 3k and get it done, some say not to. Some have had 10+ treatments, some have had 5. So I'm wondering if I'm wasting my money and/or putting myself at risk. It doesn't help that the last time I went in there the machine made some super disturbing noises and she just kept right along using it... then after I was walking to the door she started talking about it malfunctioning. With how limited my funds are (minimum wage worker) it's really starting to bother me that I may be wasting money here. After a few hours of browsing and reading other posts, I'm still not sure where to go from here so I thought I'd ask.

Should I be looking for someone new or maybe just wait it out?
How long should this process be taking?
How much did you pay to get your beard/mustache completely removed in the end?
Maybe I should move on to electrolysis? if not, when to consider it?


PS: If anyone has some resources on possible doctors and funding for affirmation surgeries (Breast, Face, SRS). Please private message me. It'd be super helpful to have some direction when looking into this.

[Charlotte F]

A lot of it will come down to how you react to the laser and also what laser they are using.  Often the cheaper places say it's laser when in fact they are using an IPL device which is OK on the body but hopeless on the face

I went to a premium laser clinic in the UK and within 8 sessions (once a month) almost all my hair was gone.  I still have some on the upper lip and a tiny bit on the chin which I occasionally get electrolysis on but what I've been left with is minimal (similar to a lot of cis women in their mid 40s) and most importantly to me, the grey colour skin has pretty much completely gone

When I first went to see my electrologist, she did remark that it was extremely unusual to have such good results so I suspect people telling you that 5 sessions was enough might be slightly 'optimistic'.  I'd say that as soon as you stop seeing noticeable reductions from laser, that's when it's time to try another clinic or move on to electrolysis

[CAB78]

What laser are you using? I would recommend Soprano ICE Laser.

I've had 4 of 8 and almost all body hair is gone, there are a few patches of facial hair around the chin but it's mostly gone now. The only disappointment has been that a few of the facial hairs have turned blonde and are probably going to require electrolysis.

[TranscendingGender]

That's another thing that makes me iffy about this place is she doesn't provide me with a lot of detail into what she is doing. I don't have a clue which machine she is using or what the joules are at. But speaking with Sona, they told me vastly contrasting differences in their procedures compared to this place and also said they're using the Soprano XL Diode Laser.


I found this on their website with a quick search tho:

Laser Hair Removal ~ InMode DIOLAZE

     We offer proven, lasting results with laser hair removal all over the body.

     We work with you to ensure that you receive treatment at appropriate

     hair growth phases and thus achieve lasting, permanent results. Note that

     client must receive six treatments every 4 to 6 weeks to achieve optimal results.

     For men and women.

[AnonyMs]

I heard that some clinics turn the power down on their machines so that it doesn't kill the hair properly, and you return for more visits. Hurts less too.

[sarah1972]

There are certainly differences between places, not only in the equipment they use but also in the training of the technician. There are a few common themes I have seen for successful laser:

- Appointments need to be spaced out, 4 - 6 weeks between appointments seem to the usual.
- Usually, a minimum of 6 sessions is required, so this can be a 6 - 8 months process
- If you have jet black hair as described, it should work pretty well.
- Electrolysis is usually something you can save for the occasional stray grey hair

I had 6 sessions on my face using a Candela GentleLase system (also seems to be very common in better places, it uses two different wavelengths laser to improve results). This took care of all the black hair and it has not come back after 4 months. I am now into Electrolysis due to half my hair being gray/white.

I know Laser does not work for everyone, but for me, it has worked really well. I was initially looking at cheap places via Groupon, but ended up deciding for a highly recommended place around the corner. A laser session is $125 and electrolysis usually $59. I did negotiate deals and pre-paid a larger number of sessions which significantly drove down the price. Full bottom hair removal is $1,500 which will be a combination of Laser and Electrolysis. By the time I had my face and bottom done, I will have paid about $3,700. Lucky my arms and legs won't need any treatment.

[krobinson103]

I used a home laser device for 6 months with ok results then went a specialist clinic. I paid $1400 for 8 sessions and so far have had two. In two session 70% of my facial hair is just... gone. The laser hurts like you wouldn't believe but it does a very good job. At this point after a close shave I can go all day and have no shadow at all. Even 24 hours after its barely visible.

[Jennifer M]

I don't know what I'm doing wrong. I've plowed two-dozen-plus sessions, $4500 and three years into my face alone and I still have hair growth.

[gracefulhat]

I go to Milan Laser in Louisville for facial hair removal; they have many locations around the U.S. I am on a payment plan that will be $2,500 total and they offer a lifetime of laser treatments to whatever area you've chosen. In their plan it's written that normally it takes between 8 to 10 treatments for a 95% reduction. I have had 4 treatments and have seen about a 70% reduction. My appointments are 5 weeks apart. So far I've been very pleased, and I certainly don't worry about the quality of the laser because it hurts like hell. My theory is that your face is worth the financial investment!

[CAB78]

Not sure if it's the same in the US, but in the UK groupon is often a good option for deals. I paid £1000 reduced from £6000 for 8 sessions of full body and face, basically everything which takes 2 hours. It's a central London good outfit using the best laser; the only disadvantage is that I'm only allowed to book daytime appointments as lunch and evening are restricted to full price customers.

[Devlyn]

I've been going to this small spa for awhile now and am on my 7th treatment. I'm paying $40 per individual visit. At first she was making my appointments 4 weeks apart, after some research I forced her to make them 8 apart. We have made some good progress but I'm still having to shave every day and my mustache isn't seeing much progress at all. I contacted Sona Med Spa and they charge A LOT more but promised much better results with a lifetime warranty. So I'm starting to think that my current tech doesn't know what she is doing.. the price is really cheap, compared to Sona which wants 2-3K in the end. I have pale skin and thick, jet, black hair. I've been researching about this for.. too long and I just can't get a straight answer. Some people say just pay the 3k and get it done, some say not to. Some have had 10+ treatments, some have had 5. So I'm wondering if I'm wasting my money and/or putting myself at risk. It doesn't help that the last time I went in there the machine made some super disturbing noises and she just kept right along using it... then after I was walking to the door she started talking about it malfunctioning. With how limited my funds are (minimum wage worker) it's really starting to bother me that I may be wasting money here. After a few hours of browsing and reading other posts, I'm still not sure where to go from here so I thought I'd ask.

Should I be looking for someone new or maybe just wait it out?
How long should this process be taking?
How much did you pay to get your beard/mustache completely removed in the end?
Maybe I should move on to electrolysis? if not, when to consider it?


PS: If anyone has some resources on possible doctors and funding for affirmation surgeries (Breast, Face, SRS). Please private message me. It'd be super helpful to have some direction when looking into this.

I know nothing about laser, but if the tech recommended every four weeks, and you forced them (your words) into doing it every eight, it really doesn't boil down to the tech not knowing what they're doing, does it? You're only getting half the recommended treatments, and it follows that you'll only get half the results.

It's important that we have realistic expectations in all of the procedures that go with transitioning. Good luck with everything!

Hugs, Devlyn

[Virginia]

I don't know what I'm doing wrong. I've plowed two-dozen-plus sessions, $4500 and three years into my face alone and I still have hair growth.

Results fopr laser vary for different types of hair, locations on the body and lasers, but electrolysis is still the only FDA approved method of permanent hair removal. The US Agency prohibits practitioners and manufacturers of the equipment from stating it is permanent, because it is not.

[Another Nikki]

I've had 8 sessions so far.  The first four didn't do much, just a slight thinning.  When I got frustrated and asked the tech to crank it up, I really started losing hair.  It REALLY hurts now, even with numbing cream, like my face is on fire.  Upper lip and chopper mustache areas are the slowest to thin out.  I'm at probably 80% dark hair gone.  I'm very happy with the smooth, hair free sections of my face.

[TranscendingGender]

Thanks for all the feed back. The reason I forced the 8 week interval is based on feed back from other people and the info I've read online. I've done 5 at 4 weeks apart and it wasn't showing results.

Anyways, I'm going to stick it out here for another session or two and see what happens. Maybe I'm being impatient. I didn't expect to need to shave daily after 7 treatments. Covering it up seems impossible for me (I can't figure out color correction to save my life!)

[Virginia]

Maybe I'm being impatient. I didn't expect to need to shave daily after 7 treatments.

Perhaps a little combined with overly hopeful expectations.

[krobinson103]

Thanks for all the feed back. The reason I forced the 8 week interval is based on feed back from other people and the info I've read online. I've done 5 at 4 weeks apart and it wasn't showing results.

Anyways, I'm going to stick it out here for another session or two and see what happens. Maybe I'm being impatient. I didn't expect to need to shave daily after 7 treatments. Covering it up seems impossible for me (I can't figure out color correction to save my life!)

Facial hair is tenacious. Shaving daily as long as no shadow is visible for a good 12 hours seems fair.

[Ellement_of_Freedom]

I have had about 27 treatments on my face (each always 4-6 weeks apart) and I still have hair coming through on the sides. I only need to shave about once every 3 days and I'm still having laser to try to get rid of it.

Not all laser technicians have the same experience and understanding of the laser. I went to a new clinic recently and the laser felt different and it didn't hurt at all, despite being a clinic under the same franchise as the previous I had been to and loved.

In my unqualified opinion the laser should be hurting your face with each zap. Like an elastic band slapping against it over and over, or worse even. Those are the times I have had the best results. Next time I go for laser if it isn't hurting I'm going to say something right away because after last time I noticed no difference - was still shaving 3 days later which is very unusual for me after having laser.

[jill610]

I have had about 27 treatments on my face (each always 4-6 weeks apart) and I still have hair coming through on the sides. I only need to shave about once every 3 days and I'm still having laser to try to get rid of it.

Not all laser technicians have the same experience and understanding of the laser. I went to a new clinic recently and the laser felt different and it didn't hurt at all, despite being a clinic under the same franchise as the previous I had been to and loved.

In my unqualified opinion the laser should be hurting your face with each zap. Like an elastic band slapping against it over and over, or worse even. Those are the times I have had the best results. Next time I go for laser if it isn't hurting I'm going to say something right away because after last time I noticed no difference - was still shaving 3 days later which is very unusual for me after having laser.

Totally agree with this - if it's not hurting, it's not doing anything in my opinion. On the face, you should have "jumpers" every time... hairs that get physically ejected. If you do not, then it is not turned up enough for your hair.

I was getting a bit discouraged that I did not see much progress on the lip and goatee area until about round 8, now I'm seeing huge progress each time. And every time it seems to hurt worse than the last, and I get approximately 1300 zaps over about 45 minutes each time.

[PattyPat]

Hello,
What's the best place to go for laser in London? I've already had countless treatments for face only and it always comes back, even though I am after SRS. It is annoying. I went for consultation Premier Laser but the treatment only lasts 10 minutes for £126? Is that normal? They use Candela laser but maybe not on the maximum strength. Don't know if it's worth to have package as they're so expensive and I still take anti androgen...thanks for suggestions.

[Megan.]

Hello,
What's the best place to go for laser in London? I've already had countless treatments for face only and it always comes back, even though I am after SRS. It is annoying. I went for consultation Premier Laser but the treatment only lasts 10 minutes for £126? Is that normal? They use Candela laser but maybe not on the maximum strength. Don't know if it's worth to have package as they're so expensive and I still take anti androgen...thanks for suggestions.

I used Sk:n Clinic, a national chain, but I think they have at least one London location. I was very happy with them and their staff were great.

A facial session does typically only take 10-15 mins; that's the great advantage of laser over electro.

Buying a bulk page of 6 or 8 sessions (reckon on 10% reduction per session) often gives a good saving, and many places have regular promotions too.

It isn't cheap, I was paying £90 5 years ago. The NHS will fund upto £1575 for this if you go that route. X

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