The second time was a little easier than the first. I showed up earlier, and I was lucky enough to do my session early.
After thoroughly washing off my makeup, we began the process. Numbing gel, check. (I can't imagine how painful this must be without it) If you've never had laser done, imagine holding a rubber band to your face, pulling it all the way back, and snapping it. Repeat this at a tempo of about 150 BPM.
The whole thing is over and done in about ten minutes. I breathed deeply during the procedure, as one would do in yoga. I handled myself well, despite my trembling chin. As soon as it was over, I let out a huge sigh of relief and laughed for a few seconds. The laughter then turned to crying and into sobbing. And having been skateboarding for twenty five years, I normally have a high tolerance for pain.
My doctor (dreamy doctor, and if you live in Philly, you already know...) came back in the room and comforted me. He had me breathe deeply, which helped, but I still really needed to cry! As we walked out of the room, I donned my sunglasses. I told him in sort of a funny way that nobody was going to see my red, puffy eyes. Then I went into the bathroom, washed my face, cried a bunch more, and reapplied my foundation.
A lot of the redness is gone, and in the next day or so, my face is going to shed a ton of hair. And I get to do this three more times! :D
It gets easier every time due to there being less and less to zap with each subsequent session. I did the last 4 sessions without any numbing cream.
I recommend applying ice immediately to the area after it has been zapped.
Quote from: MugwortPsychonaut on June 11, 2015, 11:48:37 AM
The second time was a little easier than the first. I showed up earlier, and I was lucky enough to do my session early.
Congratulations on a second one behind you!
Oh my word, I feel ya. I just had my second last Friday (we must almost be on the same schedule) and I thought it was actually worse than the first. I was asking her "So since there's less to zap, it won't hurt as bad, right?" and she was all like "Well, on the second time, we turn the power up so..."
Argh... not fun. And the smell! I totally forgot about the smell of my own burnt body drifting up to my nostrils. I'm glad I did it though.
I'm also happy to hear you pulled through. Hopefully we'll find that it does get easier. Hah!