Laser - how long for first clearing?

[Bmore]

Gracie, you look great, I'm impressed by what the lazer can do. I'd like to ask you if you were doing HRT at the time or you were in total m-mode. Lastly what kind of lazer was it and what was the general cost where you went?
~Thanks,
   Leigh Rivers

[Melissa]

Gracie was doing Anti-androgens only during that time.

Melissa

[Annie Social]

One thing I forgot to mention (I wrote about it in my blog, but forgot it here) was that the laser operator gave me a frozen water balloon at the beginning of the session! Every so often she would pause and let me roll the balloon over the areas she had just done; what a wonderful feeling that was!

Also, I wanted to mention that I didn't use any topical anesthetic; the operator was so adamant about my not having any makeup, cream, lotion, or anything else on my face, I didn't even think about it. I have to wonder if the anesthetic creams might be a part of some of the nasty reactions...

[Annie Social]

Another update...

I had my second session earlier today (Saturday) and while having the whole face done rather than just the lips and chin was much more intense, it still wasn't terrible.

I was a bit surprised to find that my neck was actually much more sensitive than my upper lip; there was some serious wincing going on while that was being done.

I've written the whole thing up in my blog; it's at http://transintransition.blogspot.com/2006/04/laser-part-2.html

Annie

[Hazumu]

Very interesting so far...

My electro is curious to see how deliberately combining laser with electro will work.  I've got some white hairs that won't be affected by the laser, (Lisa gets to get 'em  ), some reddish that'll be iffy-maybe, and the majority are dark (and fat, and take 80 units of lye and a long time spent with a hot needle stuck in the follicle and 'gentle' testing tugs until the damn hair finally gives up, packs it in, and says adios...)

I've contacted two likely prospects in my area, but as this was done Saturday morning, I don't expect a response until tomorrow (Monday).  They both use the two recommended laser machines.  I expect they won't be happy that I don't intend to buy a package from them...

Karen

[Annie Social]

Karen,

Any decent laser operation should be happy to treat you on a single session basis. They will go over the whole process, and they certainly will have packages availabe (which can save you quite a bit, if you can afford them) but they shouldn't push anything or give you a hard-sell. If they do, run!

By the way, a friend went with me for my session yesterday; she had laser on her upper lip and electro on her chin in the same session. I had never seen electro done before, and they let me watch as I'll probably need it for a few white and/or stubborn hairs.

They use a radio-frequency pulse electro machine; 2 or 3 fraction-of-a-second zaps, and out comes the hair. I was pretty impressed; my friend said it didn't bother her as much as the laser.

Annie

[Hazumu]

They use a radio-frequency pulse electro machine; 2 or 3 fraction-of-a-second zaps, and out comes the hair. I was pretty impressed; my friend said it didn't bother her as much as the laser.

Sounds like they use thermolysis only, which is basically heating microwaves coming from the end of the probe, so it's working in the same way that the laser is working, i.e., heat only.

There is a danger with the radio frequencies, though -- "High frequency blowout."  Basically, if set too high, the RF flash-boils the water in the surrounding skin, and the scalding steam ejects the follicle with a *pop*.  This is very much not-good, as it will likely lead to scarring.  (Maybe that's the snapping sound we hear in the movie Transamerica when the small-town electro gets a few rogue hairs on Bree's upper lip?  )

My electro uses 'blend' which combines the original direct current which turns the water and salt in the tissues into hydrogen and sodium hydroxide (lye), which tends to kill the follicle cells responsible for hair production, and the RF which heats the lye solution (making it more effective) and forces it to every part of the follicle.

BTW, I commented to my electro that, as a group, the TS/TG community was probably VERY knowledgeable about electro and other beard disassembly methods. 

Karen

[Kate]

(Maybe that's the snapping sound we hear in the movie Transamerica when the small-town electro gets a few rogue hairs on Bree's upper lip?  )

I had to laugh when I saw that, as it looked like a home OneTouch kit that my wife used on me a few years ago (purely galvanic). The thing actually does work, but it takes more like 60 seconds per hair (writhing in pain the entire time), not the 1/16 second ZAP! she gave Bree, lol.


Posted at: April 09, 2006, 01:13:29 PM

I take that back. Today (morning after session), I have numerous red spots (probably actually minor burns/discolorations - don't hurt though), some scabbing, some "whiteheads". It kinda looks like I had a *really* bad day trying to shave with a dull razor. People won't know WHAT happened, but they're gonna know something did. I look pretty awful.

Just a quick update so my post above doesn't scare anyone off, lol...

Within a week, the redness and blotches were basically gone. It looked SO bad for the first day or two, I was actually frightened it would never heal. But it healed up fine. Heck, I *swear* it's even BETTER now... I have numerous acne and chickenpox scars, and I'm tellin' ya, they're FAR less noticable now. Very cool

My beard was slightly thinner, though by no means gone, immediately after the session. It stayed that way for 10 days... no changes to density. I had given up hope that the laser had done anything.

Then on day 11, my beard fell off. Seriously, lol. It was the weirdest thing. All the sudden I went to wash my face and found dozens upon dozens of hairs stuck to the washcloth, in the sink, and loose on my face. Over the course of the day, I'd say 95% of my visible beard fell off. Yay!

There are still some very thin patches here and there, but if I shave (takes about two seconds now, lol), I have no shadow at all. I actually cried, lol.. pathetic, I know, but the *relief* of not having any appreciable beard for the first time EVER... just... wow.

I realize it won't stay this way for long, but I'm certainly enjoyin' it right now

[Hazumu]

...Then on day 11, my beard fell off. Seriously, lol. It was the weirdest thing. All the sudden I went to wash my face and found dozens upon dozens of hairs stuck to the washcloth, in the sink, and loose on my face. Over the course of the day, I'd say 95% of my visible beard fell off. Yay!

There are still some very thin patches here and there, but if I shave (takes about two seconds now, lol), I have no shadow at all. I actually cried, lol.. pathetic, I know, but the *relief* of not having any appreciable beard for the first time EVER... just... wow.

Hi, Kate;

Thank you, thank you, thank you, for that update!  I have a session tomorrow, to zap my neck (still mostly dense old-growth, painful to remove.)  As I have red and white hairs mixed in, my Electro will still be busy down there.  But now I know not to waste her time and mine until after the fallout happens!

Karen

UPDATE:

A series of pin-jab -like sensations, painful but bearable (even with a strong topical anasthetic.)  I gripped the 'squeezy', grimmaced, held my breath.  The odor of singed hair filled my nostrils.  Three minutes after the torture began, the doctor said, "We're all done!"  I looked at my neck and saw that weird pattern of black blotches that lasering leaves behind, and began wiping with a wet cloth to remove most of the hairs.

I still have plenty of light/white hairs for which only electrolysis can 'get' (and I can feel 'em growing back this morning -- dang!)  But there's a bunch now that are no longer half-minute, 80-unit hairs...  Even if they come back later, we can get 'em in the baby stage when it doesn't hurt (so much  )

Karen

[Lisa CPE]

Just want to say that I am still alive.  Karen told me that I should post more often.
I wonder if Karen could give us an update as to how the facial hair removal is progressing.... 

[kimmie]

        eny up date on laser
       I did get it dun in Oct. and Dec.
       and it come out good.
       Did enyone elp have good luck.
       kim

[Melissa]

       Did enyone elp have good luck.

Yeah, I ended up being one of my laser clinic's best examples.

Melissa

[KarenLyn]

But after the redness healed...

May I ask how long the redness was noticeable?

Do you happen to know which type of laser was used?

My first clearing took about 20 minutes and the rest took less as there was less hair to remove. After my first clearing my face looked like I had a severe sunburn. It faded in a few hours. The laser used was the Light Shear diode laser. After 3 treatments, I didn't need make up any more to hide the shadow. I had 6 treatments and the last one was several years ago. I don't have any more facial hair now than a gg of the same age. 

Hope this helps.

Karen Lyn 

[Astyria]

I'm sorry to re-open an old topic, but I just wanted to confirm something...not that i distrust anything that has already been written...I just want to put my mind at ease. =)

Laser hair removal.

I started with electrolysis.  I handled it great at first, but over time with HRT (I'm assuming, based on what i read and experienced) my face became real sensitive.  So, my electrolysist suggested that I do some laser first, then come back to electro.

Prior to having gone on HRT, I've always had a real thick beard that grew really really fast.  I could shave in the morning and have a 5'oclock shadow by 1pm...  Even when I was doing HRT it barely slowed at all.

Anyways, I took her suggestion to heart and went to go do laser.  The nurse (nurse right?  I forget) told me that it should take about 4 sessions.  I went thru the first 2, using lidocane cream, with...well...it hurt.  But i got thru it.  The third session I was in tears it hurt so bad.  The cream did nothing...just like for electro, the cream was hit or miss...sigh.  It was pure torture.     .....     I never did the 4th session because I was told that they were losing their machine.  Then it was the holidays.  And now it's, well, now.  My beard is in full swing again.  It's like the first 3 times did nothing at all...and yes, the majority of it is dark hair on white skin.  I do have some white, but I'll get that with electro.

My questions are:

1. How many times do you actually need?  I know that everyone is different, but you all seem to agree that 8-10+ is what you need for good?  or great? clearing.

2.  How many times do you need before you start seeing a significant reduction?

Again, I know that everyone is different and with my history it might take many times, but I'm about to start making appointments again and wanted to confirm that it will probably take more than the 4 times i was quoted.

Thank you all,

Astyria.

[Kate]

1. How many times do you actually need?  I know that everyone is different, but you all seem to agree that 8-10+ is what you need for good?  or great? clearing.

I did 9 sessions with a LightSheer. I still have probably a dozen+ dark hairs here and there left, but they've survived the last few sessions... so I'm done. I'll pluck or use electrolysis now.

2.  How many times do you need before you start seeing a significant reduction?

Every session significantly reduced things for me, though it varied by area. My neck and cheeks went completely bare within a few sessions and stayed that way. The goatee area is much more stubborn (and dense), and probably took 4 sessions are so before it started to look semi-clear for awhile. Thing is, new growth pops up between sessions, so although it'd look great once the hairs fell out (about 10 days post laser), new growth (previously hidden or dormant hairs) would fill it in a bit by the next session. It's kind of a 2 steps forward, 1 step back thing.

By 6 sessions, I was basically clear except for a few stragglers, and it stayed that way. Sessions 7-9 were somewhat pointless, but I'd hoped to kill the last few dark hairs.

Kate

[Melissa]

Like Kate, I also used the LightSheer.  I started noticing an immediate difference--especially after the first session.  With each subsequent session, there has been noticably less hair each time.  Also it seemed to get more painful with each one.  The last one I was squirming and had to take a few breaks.  I've had 6 sessions now.  After the 5th, the shadow was pretty much all gone and now after the sixth, I can pretty much go all day without shaving and no hair shows up.  I do have a few under one of my nostrils that I have to watch, but they're not that noticable.

Melissa

[Kate]

Also it seemed to get more painful with each one...

My experience was just the opposite: where there was no hair, there was no pain. I didn't even feel my last few sessions really.

But oh my, I felt the first few sessions alright, lol... I kept picturing Ed Norton in Fight Club when Tyler poured the acid onto his hand... "I'm going to my happy place, I'm going to my happy place..."

Kate

[Melissa]

Also it seemed to get more painful with each one...

My experience was just the opposite: where there was no hair, there was no pain. I didn't even feel my last few sessions really.

You're lucky you haven't been on hrt as long as me when you started your laser.

Melissa

[Astyria]

Thanks for the input =).

I've been on estrogen for about 1 1/2 years when i started this...spiro has been off and on due to some probs.  Nevertheless, my face is softer and much more sensitive...my endo just gave me EMLA cream which ill use instead of the lidocane.  I doubt that there'll be much difference between the two, but I can hope, huh? =p  Barring that, I'll try to find my happy place.  Bleh, I'll be in tears again.  Oh well, must be done and it's not forever.

Thank you =),

Astyria.

[Melissa]

Do what I do and imagine what it will be like to be hair free and how much you hate the hair.  It makes it so much more bearable.

Melissa