Community Conversation => Transitioning => Hair removal => Topic started by: Jordan on January 22, 2008, 08:03:46 PM Return to Full Version
Title: So what exactly is supposed to happen??
Post by: Jordan on January 22, 2008, 08:03:46 PM
Post by: Jordan on January 22, 2008, 08:03:46 PM
I just had my first laser treatment.
I paid $600 and they lasered my legs, face, and crotch. Ouch..
I got home and the skin was red, and kinda bumpy but, now its 7 days later.
The hair has regrown, so I shaved it, but my skin is very strange like very goosebumpy, It wont shave smooth anymore.
But here I thought that the hair falls out after each treatment, but it doesnt seem too, I am wondering how X many treatments get you to vellus surface??? Can anyone with exp. clarify for me what happens after each treatment to the hairs, and how it eventually becomes vellus before I spend another $600.00 or more.
Also I am very pale, with dark hair, and I was told to be a ideal canndiate.
I paid $600 and they lasered my legs, face, and crotch. Ouch..
I got home and the skin was red, and kinda bumpy but, now its 7 days later.
The hair has regrown, so I shaved it, but my skin is very strange like very goosebumpy, It wont shave smooth anymore.
But here I thought that the hair falls out after each treatment, but it doesnt seem too, I am wondering how X many treatments get you to vellus surface??? Can anyone with exp. clarify for me what happens after each treatment to the hairs, and how it eventually becomes vellus before I spend another $600.00 or more.
Also I am very pale, with dark hair, and I was told to be a ideal canndiate.
Title: Re: So what exactly is supposed to happen??
Post by: shanetastic on January 22, 2008, 08:18:24 PM
Post by: shanetastic on January 22, 2008, 08:18:24 PM
okay here we go! Number one, I am in no way any expert at this whole laser hair removal stuff, I'm just speaking of how I "think" it's supposed to work.
Anyways. . . to start this off, hairs grow in cycles. Apparently that's why they schedule normally a month apart when doing laser, because the hair that they laser *might* die, or it might not. It's never a guarantee they fall out after each treatment. Also, laser is said to be a permanent hair reduction, not removal. So, you will still have tiny hairs left I believe too at the end of your laser treatment, after your "x" amount of sessions they tell you you need.
I've only had two laser sessions, and so far some hair is gone, I don't notice it going away since I can't grow a beard or anything though. I notice my facial hair also grows extremely slow now, I shave once every two weeks now. I don't know if hormones had anything to do with it, or laser and hormones, or neither, don't know to be honest.
Moving onto like hair growth, I'm going to copy some hair removal site and post it on here, maybe it'll help clarify since I don't really know what I'm talking about either.
"It is a non-invasive procedure that works by targeting melanin, or pigmented hair in the follicle. The laser destroys certain structures in the hair follicle without damaging surrounding tissue. . . First, hair cells grow in cycles and can only be treated in their growth phase. Depending on the body area, and average of 30% of the hair cells may be in the growth phase at any time. Second, hairs are either coarse or fine, and follicles may be found at different depths and densities. Additionally, since the laser targets pigment, darker hair absorbs more of the laser energy and lighter hair absorbs less"
And here's some little thing from webmd on how laser hair removal works, it's a little outdated but it should work all right.
"Oct. 9, 2000 -- Yes, it works -- but only for some people. And contrary to popular belief, a few zaps of a laser doesn't mean you can totally retire your razor. What the laser can do, however, is to reduce the amount of hair you have and, perhaps, lead to some permanent hair removal. In addition, it can lighten the color of the hair and decrease its thickness.
Laser hair removal takes about an hour for both legs. As the laser is moved over your legs, the light passes through your skin and gets absorbed by the melanin (pigment) in the hair follicles. Although no one knows exactly how lasers reduce hair growth, the most popular theory is that the heat generated by the laser breaks apart the follicle. Over the next two months, hairs gradually fall out. For most people, the pain -- similar to a rubber band snapping on the skin -- is quite tolerable. If you're very sensitive, however, your doctor can apply a topical anesthetic cream to numb the area.
Before you sign up for laser hair removal, though, take into account your natural hair and skin color, as the treatment tends to work best on fair-skinned people with dark hair. If you're tan or have a darker skin tone, the laser gets absorbed by the pigment in the skin and doesn't reach the hair follicle, limiting the effect of the treatment and potentially damaging the skin. The procedure doesn't seem to work very well on light-haired people either, whose hair contains little melanin.
You should keep in mind that three or four treatments, six to eight weeks apart, may be needed to achieve a meaningful reduction in the amount of hair on your legs (or elsewhere). After that, you'll need to wait a year to see the full effect of the treatment (hair growth cycles are about six months long, so it's best to wait through two growth cycles to see the final results).
Since the area treated will be extremely sensitive for a few days, it is wise to wear both protective clothing and sun block whenever you're outside. In addition, plan to limit your sun exposure for a day or two after the treatment, as you can expect some slight swelling and redness. These side effects should disappear within a day and can be soothed with ice or a mild anti-inflammatory cream. More rare side effects include peeling, blistering, and burning of the skin as well as brown spots and slight loss of pigment in areas where the laser has been used.
Taking all of these factors into account, if you have your heart set on total and permanent hair removal, electrolysis -- where an electrical pulse is used to permanently stop the hair follicles from producing hair -- may be a better bet than going under the laser. "
Here's the link to it too if you'd rather read it there: http://www.webmd.com/content/article/43/1689_51063.htm
Anyways, since I don't know much I'm just going to shut up here. I'm sure someone is more experienced than me in describing this in super detail, so I'll wait for them to reply hehe.
Another good site to read would probably be this one, although it's pretty much advertising a laser for people to use lol. http://www.laserforless.com/how.html
Anyways. . . to start this off, hairs grow in cycles. Apparently that's why they schedule normally a month apart when doing laser, because the hair that they laser *might* die, or it might not. It's never a guarantee they fall out after each treatment. Also, laser is said to be a permanent hair reduction, not removal. So, you will still have tiny hairs left I believe too at the end of your laser treatment, after your "x" amount of sessions they tell you you need.
I've only had two laser sessions, and so far some hair is gone, I don't notice it going away since I can't grow a beard or anything though. I notice my facial hair also grows extremely slow now, I shave once every two weeks now. I don't know if hormones had anything to do with it, or laser and hormones, or neither, don't know to be honest.
Moving onto like hair growth, I'm going to copy some hair removal site and post it on here, maybe it'll help clarify since I don't really know what I'm talking about either.
"It is a non-invasive procedure that works by targeting melanin, or pigmented hair in the follicle. The laser destroys certain structures in the hair follicle without damaging surrounding tissue. . . First, hair cells grow in cycles and can only be treated in their growth phase. Depending on the body area, and average of 30% of the hair cells may be in the growth phase at any time. Second, hairs are either coarse or fine, and follicles may be found at different depths and densities. Additionally, since the laser targets pigment, darker hair absorbs more of the laser energy and lighter hair absorbs less"
And here's some little thing from webmd on how laser hair removal works, it's a little outdated but it should work all right.
"Oct. 9, 2000 -- Yes, it works -- but only for some people. And contrary to popular belief, a few zaps of a laser doesn't mean you can totally retire your razor. What the laser can do, however, is to reduce the amount of hair you have and, perhaps, lead to some permanent hair removal. In addition, it can lighten the color of the hair and decrease its thickness.
Laser hair removal takes about an hour for both legs. As the laser is moved over your legs, the light passes through your skin and gets absorbed by the melanin (pigment) in the hair follicles. Although no one knows exactly how lasers reduce hair growth, the most popular theory is that the heat generated by the laser breaks apart the follicle. Over the next two months, hairs gradually fall out. For most people, the pain -- similar to a rubber band snapping on the skin -- is quite tolerable. If you're very sensitive, however, your doctor can apply a topical anesthetic cream to numb the area.
Before you sign up for laser hair removal, though, take into account your natural hair and skin color, as the treatment tends to work best on fair-skinned people with dark hair. If you're tan or have a darker skin tone, the laser gets absorbed by the pigment in the skin and doesn't reach the hair follicle, limiting the effect of the treatment and potentially damaging the skin. The procedure doesn't seem to work very well on light-haired people either, whose hair contains little melanin.
You should keep in mind that three or four treatments, six to eight weeks apart, may be needed to achieve a meaningful reduction in the amount of hair on your legs (or elsewhere). After that, you'll need to wait a year to see the full effect of the treatment (hair growth cycles are about six months long, so it's best to wait through two growth cycles to see the final results).
Since the area treated will be extremely sensitive for a few days, it is wise to wear both protective clothing and sun block whenever you're outside. In addition, plan to limit your sun exposure for a day or two after the treatment, as you can expect some slight swelling and redness. These side effects should disappear within a day and can be soothed with ice or a mild anti-inflammatory cream. More rare side effects include peeling, blistering, and burning of the skin as well as brown spots and slight loss of pigment in areas where the laser has been used.
Taking all of these factors into account, if you have your heart set on total and permanent hair removal, electrolysis -- where an electrical pulse is used to permanently stop the hair follicles from producing hair -- may be a better bet than going under the laser. "
Here's the link to it too if you'd rather read it there: http://www.webmd.com/content/article/43/1689_51063.htm
Anyways, since I don't know much I'm just going to shut up here. I'm sure someone is more experienced than me in describing this in super detail, so I'll wait for them to reply hehe.
Another good site to read would probably be this one, although it's pretty much advertising a laser for people to use lol. http://www.laserforless.com/how.html
Title: Re: So what exactly is supposed to happen??
Post by: lisagurl on January 23, 2008, 01:39:55 PM
Post by: lisagurl on January 23, 2008, 01:39:55 PM
My experience is it takes 18 to 30 days for the hair to fall out. After nine treatments only 50% of my hair seemed gone, so I went to electro.
Title: Re: So what exactly is supposed to happen??
Post by: elena on January 25, 2008, 03:17:32 PM
Post by: elena on January 25, 2008, 03:17:32 PM
I was lucky enough to be able to pay for a laser facial hair removal package, and the service I use guarantees no hair regrowth for a full year after your sixth treatment. I was told by my sixth treatment that all my facial hair should be gone, but we'll see. Anyways, for my first treatment it took me about two weeks to notice spotting where the hair follicles had fallen out on my face. Nothing major mind you, but I could clearly see a few spots where hair was not growing back in. For the second treatment they used less power so it would be less painful and I only noticed a little lightnening of my facial hair density, but no new patches. I had my third treatment today and basically told em to use as much power as they needed, because either way it feels like bees stinging my face for the twenty minutes that I'm there. I just can't wait for the day that I can look at my razor and think that I'll never have to use it again to shave my face!
Title: Re: So what exactly is supposed to happen??
Post by: Purple Pimp on January 25, 2008, 05:59:17 PM
Post by: Purple Pimp on January 25, 2008, 05:59:17 PM
Keep in mind that hair on the face takes 9 months to cycle through, and only 30 percent of facial hair is active at any given time. So some hairs that you see might not have been able to be treated when you were getting lasered. Of course, this may be irrelevant, since I know more about electrolysis and relatively little about laser.
Lia
Lia
Title: Re: So what exactly is supposed to happen??
Post by: Ember Lewis on February 06, 2008, 07:27:19 PM
Post by: Ember Lewis on February 06, 2008, 07:27:19 PM
I don't remember if I already answered this for you but anyway...As far as I can tell some hairs will have enough damage done by laser that they will fall out. Most of the hairs will not fall out, they get zapped and reduce in thickness till enough damage has been done by the laser that they don't come back. Many of my hairs are still on my face but are so fine and colorless that you don't notice them. As for how many treatments? that varys with the person and whether they are on HRT or not. The average I have heard is 12 treatments but I may not need that many, so it does vary. :)
Title: Re: So what exactly is supposed to happen??
Post by: joannatsf on February 11, 2008, 07:40:21 PM
Post by: joannatsf on February 11, 2008, 07:40:21 PM
It took 2 to 3 weeks for the hair to come out. I found at aeek 2 i could pull them out of the folicle with tweezers. It's not like plucking. If a hair hurts, stop pulling. I would spend hours in front of the mirror pulling the little bastards out and tossing them aside one by one!
Rashes: Take Aliev or Advil a couple hours before the procedure and 24 hours afterwards to reduce swelling. Ice is nice, too. Tell your tech about the skin reaction. The may have the setting to high for you.
Rashes: Take Aliev or Advil a couple hours before the procedure and 24 hours afterwards to reduce swelling. Ice is nice, too. Tell your tech about the skin reaction. The may have the setting to high for you.
Title: Re: So what exactly is supposed to happen??
Post by: Jordan on February 11, 2008, 07:53:31 PM
Post by: Jordan on February 11, 2008, 07:53:31 PM
Ya acually I found the same thing at week two as well, I pulled as many as i found that just slid out.
It took about three weeks for the skin to become normal again
The growth rate has become almost nill, i can shave and not really need to again for 10 days.
The laser took ahold really well, I showed my laser lady and she thinks that i will only need 4 treatments total!!!
It took about three weeks for the skin to become normal again
The growth rate has become almost nill, i can shave and not really need to again for 10 days.
The laser took ahold really well, I showed my laser lady and she thinks that i will only need 4 treatments total!!!
Title: Re: So what exactly is supposed to happen??
Post by: joannatsf on February 11, 2008, 09:25:50 PM
Post by: joannatsf on February 11, 2008, 09:25:50 PM
I'm not sure how this will effect you but your beard isn't fully developed till age 28. If you're younger than that you may need to see the electrologist on occasion.
Title: Re: So what exactly is supposed to happen??
Post by: shanetastic on February 11, 2008, 11:39:20 PM
Post by: shanetastic on February 11, 2008, 11:39:20 PM
Quote from: Claire de Lune on February 11, 2008, 09:25:50 PM
I'm not sure how this will effect you but your beard isn't fully developed till age 28. If you're younger than that you may need to see the electrologist on occasion.
I'm encountering that problem right now. I've been trying to find a good one but haven't had time to set an appointment yet. My hair was probably 50/50 in black/blond for some reason, so laser was a good choice so far, but now I need to finish it off with electrolysis.
Title: Re: So what exactly is supposed to happen??
Post by: joannatsf on February 12, 2008, 09:57:24 AM
Post by: joannatsf on February 12, 2008, 09:57:24 AM
Quote from: shanetastic on February 11, 2008, 11:39:20 PMQuote from: Claire de Lune on February 11, 2008, 09:25:50 PM
I'm not sure how this will effect you but your beard isn't fully developed till age 28. If you're younger than that you may need to see the electrologist on occasion.
I'm encountering that problem right now. I've been trying to find a good one but haven't had time to set an appointment yet. My hair was probably 50/50 in black/blond for some reason, so laser was a good choice so far, but now I need to finish it off with electrolysis.
If you lived in San Francisco I'd recommend one. Do you ever use yelp.com? They have reviews of just about anything and place you can think of. They have communities for different cities including LA. Good luck!
Title: Re: So what exactly is supposed to happen??
Post by: Jordan on February 12, 2008, 10:16:28 AM
Post by: Jordan on February 12, 2008, 10:16:28 AM
Im 20 and I have already begun laser on my face, I have very little hair there at all, and in 24 hours I am beginning HRT, do you really think I will start having problems in 8 years with facial hair.
I mean wont HRT kill that possiblitity, I am practically still in puberty, or havent even really hit the part of massive hair growth for puberty yet.
I mean wont HRT kill that possiblitity, I am practically still in puberty, or havent even really hit the part of massive hair growth for puberty yet.
Title: Re: So what exactly is supposed to happen??
Post by: shanetastic on February 12, 2008, 01:43:46 PM
Post by: shanetastic on February 12, 2008, 01:43:46 PM
Quote from: Claire de Lune on February 12, 2008, 09:57:24 AMQuote from: shanetastic on February 11, 2008, 11:39:20 PMQuote from: Claire de Lune on February 11, 2008, 09:25:50 PM
I'm not sure how this will effect you but your beard isn't fully developed till age 28. If you're younger than that you may need to see the electrologist on occasion.
I'm encountering that problem right now. I've been trying to find a good one but haven't had time to set an appointment yet. My hair was probably 50/50 in black/blond for some reason, so laser was a good choice so far, but now I need to finish it off with electrolysis.
If you lived in San Francisco I'd recommend one. Do you ever use yelp.com? They have reviews of just about anything and place you can think of. They have communities for different cities including LA. Good luck!
I live smack dab right in the middle between LA and SF. I'm about 4 hours away from SF and 3 away from LA. It sorta sucks because it's a super small town, and I'm like stuck with crappy noneducated people that are close minded and conservative. Hopefully when I move it'll be a little bit better. But it's not like I have to tell the electrologist anything, so it's just the difficulty of finding one in a haggard small town that is good. I'll check out yelp.com, never heard of it.
Posted on: February 12, 2008, 11:42:31 AM
Quote from: mara on February 12, 2008, 10:16:28 AM
Im 20 and I have already begun laser on my face, I have very little hair there at all, and in 24 hours I am beginning HRT, do you really think I will start having problems in 8 years with facial hair.
I mean wont HRT kill that possiblitity, I am practically still in puberty, or havent even really hit the part of massive hair growth for puberty yet.
Once the hair starts growing it won't necessarily go away. My facial hair have thinned out a lot because of HRT, which sorta sucks because not the laser is starting to slack on me. Wish I did it before HRT when my hairs were even darker than they are now.
Title: Re: So what exactly is supposed to happen??
Post by: joannatsf on February 12, 2008, 07:34:40 PM
Post by: joannatsf on February 12, 2008, 07:34:40 PM
So you must be close to Santa Maria or SLO? Use the Force Shane, google electrologists San Luis Obispo. Or whatever city you want. Here's what I came up with:
Local business results for electrologists near San Luis Obispo, CA
Tammy North Skin Care and Electrolysis Center
- maps.google.com - (805) 543-3433 - more
Glenda Shelton Electrolysis
- maps.google.com - (805) 544-2443 - more
Anna's Electrolysis
- maps.google.com - (805) 546-9812 - more
Enhances by Lalla
- maps.google.com - (805) 781-2502 - more
Kimberly's Electrolysis
- maps.google.com - (805) 773-8040 - more
Enhances By Lalla
- maps.google.com - (805) 781-2502 - more
Central Coast Electrolysis
- maps.google.com - (805) 481-2333 - more
Andorlie T Alden Electrologist
- maps.google.com - (805) 528-4243 - more
Kaufhold Kimberly R
- maps.google.com - (805) 773-8040 - more
Tuman Dorothy
- www.tumanphotography.com - (805) 473-0773 - more
More results near San Luis Obispo, CA ยป
You'll have a face like Leia not like Obiwan!
Local business results for electrologists near San Luis Obispo, CA
Tammy North Skin Care and Electrolysis Center
- maps.google.com - (805) 543-3433 - more
Glenda Shelton Electrolysis
- maps.google.com - (805) 544-2443 - more
Anna's Electrolysis
- maps.google.com - (805) 546-9812 - more
Enhances by Lalla
- maps.google.com - (805) 781-2502 - more
Kimberly's Electrolysis
- maps.google.com - (805) 773-8040 - more
Enhances By Lalla
- maps.google.com - (805) 781-2502 - more
Central Coast Electrolysis
- maps.google.com - (805) 481-2333 - more
Andorlie T Alden Electrologist
- maps.google.com - (805) 528-4243 - more
Kaufhold Kimberly R
- maps.google.com - (805) 773-8040 - more
Tuman Dorothy
- www.tumanphotography.com - (805) 473-0773 - more
More results near San Luis Obispo, CA ยป
You'll have a face like Leia not like Obiwan!
Title: Re: So what exactly is supposed to happen??
Post by: shanetastic on February 12, 2008, 07:37:04 PM
Post by: shanetastic on February 12, 2008, 07:37:04 PM
Quote from: Claire de Lune on February 12, 2008, 07:34:40 PM
stuff
Oh you're good Claire :D
Props to you're good geography knowledge!
P.S. I did use the force! I yellowbooked all them a while back haha.
Title: Re: So what exactly is supposed to happen??
Post by: joannatsf on February 12, 2008, 07:55:43 PM
Post by: joannatsf on February 12, 2008, 07:55:43 PM
IMHO any experienced electrologist can do the job. I would look for someone you're comfortable with and that you like talking to! It's nice if she has a TV or music too. He or she is going to be your best friend after awhile because you'll be spending hours on your back talking. Nora and I listen to Dr. Phil or Oprah and talk about the weird ass guests. ;D
Title: Re: So what exactly is supposed to happen??
Post by: shanetastic on February 12, 2008, 08:07:54 PM
Post by: shanetastic on February 12, 2008, 08:07:54 PM
Quote from: Claire de Lune on February 12, 2008, 07:55:43 PM
IMHO any experienced electrologist can do the job. I would look for someone you're comfortable with and that you like talking to! It's nice if she has a TV or music too. He or she is going to be your best friend after awhile because you'll be spending hours on your back talking. Nora and I listen to Dr. Phil or Oprah and talk about the weird ass guests. ;D
Haha, yeah I know. I'm going to call around when I finish up with laser here, because then a lot of my hair should be gone. There's really not that much left, but if I can feel it and it makes my face feel rough I want it gone! :D I just don't trust people as being experienced around these smaller towns haha, don't ask me why I have this prejudice I just do!