Well it had to start sooner or later so it might as well start now.
I have an appointment on the 29th May to start laser. I have chosen the laser skin clinic (http://www.laserskinclinic.com.au/index.html) who have said they will use a laser (not IPL) on me using the Candela "Gentlelase" system (see http://www.candelalaser.com/products/index.cfm?task=gentlelase).
It seams that with me having dark hair it would be better to have laser first and then electro for the hair that do not die. I will have 5 treatment @ $200 each and then work out where I go from there (hopfully the hard work would be done after that.
Any advice, thoughts for me?
Alice
Quote from: Alice on May 09, 2008, 06:05:21 AM
Any advice, thoughts for me?
Congratulations Alice!
Advice? Well... hmmm...
Ice was my friend after my sessions, lol. I'd rush home and lay bags of crushed ice on my face, which seemed to help the "sunburn" feeling subside quickly.
I kept a towel and bottle of Aloe in my car, so before I left for home I could slather on the Aloe (soothing) and GENTLY towel off the burnt hairs a bit.
I pointed the A/C vents in my car at my face and ran it full blast during the drives home. It helped a lot.
The more hairs you have, the more it hurts. So the first few sessions are the worst, but it DOES get easier as you go.
Oh, and keep in mind that once you start, you're pretty much committed to finishing it, as the laser tends to remove the hair in a "swiss cheese" kinda pattern... or at least mine did. I looked kinda weird between those first few sessions, lol.
~Kate~
Great advice, Kate!
I'm doing my first consults over the next couple weeks. I'm so excited, I can't hardly wait!
I have a few questions to add:
Has anyone done laser for things other than facial hair? What about chest, back, bikini, and ummm, down there? Can you do laser on sensitive parts? Do you just ask them to knock you out first? :) That last was more of a joke, I'm only half serious.
Had my first treatment yesterday and OHMYGOD was that a painful experience. But when it was over I had no swelling, redness, or pain. This morning nothing ;D. My beautician knows of my transition and she is looking forward to our journey.
She uses NCPL, I have not read up on it yet, but so far so good.
Love
Janet
Quote from: Janet Lynn on May 10, 2008, 10:58:07 AM
Had my first treatment yesterday and OHMYGOD was that a painful experience. But when it was over I had no swelling, redness, or pain. This morning nothing ;D. My beautician knows of my transition and she is looking forward to our journey.
She uses NCPL, I have not read up on it yet, but so far so good.
Love
Janet
Well, you'll have to keep us posted on progress! I'm sure the info will be useful to others that want to start laser.
Hey Alice,
A few things to keep in mind, knowing where you are coming from and the experiences you have had with transition:
1) When they start and you are thinking "OMFG!!!! I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW PAINFUL THIS IS!!" just remember that this has a purpose. You have been moving down a path that you have been considering and that you are comfortable with. It's going to hurt, a lot, but it's quick, no longer than probably 1/2 hour. Grin and bear it. Get through it.
2) Kate was right, swiss cheese hair! You will probably have big patches of missing hair and some hairs that don't leave. Just get through it.
3) Don't plan on being able to shave for the first 10 days and actually REMOVE hair. Your hairs are like steel wires after laser and they do NOT react to being cut. If at all possible, try not to shave them for a few days, then shave them.
4) Don't get frustrated because the hair isn't falling out. Mine didn't even start falling out until the 7th or 8th day.
5) Lots of ice, aloe, tea tree lotion, etc. The sooner after laser the better, take ice with you. Try to schedule your appt for mid afternoon Friday so you have Sat and Sunday to heal. It will look like a sunburn.
6) I told people "I'm having some laser work to get rid of ingrown hairs" that didn't know what was going on, it worked. People don't really dig too deep into it really.
Good luck :) I'm sure you'll enjoy the follow up electrolysis on any white hairs :) Meghan
Hey Group,
Shave this morning and low and behold Kate is right. I already see bare patches on the upper lip. ;D.
Meghan is also right about the pain, but as my beautician said ' Beauty is all, Pain is nothing".
But remember Alice, it is all of you and your life as a woman.
Love, Janet
The only thing I can think of....
Get a good strong <yet light weight> sunscreen.... if they don't apply sunscreen to you immediately after the session, do it yourself. this does help...
the less tan your face is the better... Everything else is pretty much covered I think...
Shave gently the day after your laser sessions... and yeah...
(PS) it really doesn't hurt all that much... :D
Arr, all the fun I am about to have.
Thanks for the advice everyone,
I have laser on the thursday nite. May work from home on the Friday. I just hope it does not effect my ride on the Saturday. My ridding is keeping me sane.
Alice
It shouldn't unless your overly sensitive to the laser...
Really, you should even be able to go to work afterwards, and ride and all that.... at worst you'll appear to be red <sunburned>
I'm actually going to have my first laser appointment on the 14th. They're using an alexandrite laser and told me that 95% of the people find the laser feels like an annoying rubber band flick sensation. I'll tell you all about it afterwards!
Hi Alice, I just completed my fifth and last IPL laser session this last Saturday. Fortunately they offered a EMLA type concoction for numbing that was applied an hour before and washed off just prior to the zapping. The experience to me was akin to being splattered with hot bacon grease except the pain diminished as fast as it came. All in all I thought it was tolerable and only had a couple tears in the five sessions. I place my success rate at about 90% and probably could have went for another session for my upper lip which has been troublesome and I add that they said it could be. Total cost was just over $1000.00 for the five treatments and the numbing creme. I had very little redness ater the sessions.
On the last session I got hit several times on my upper cheeks that the creme had not covered and let me tell you, dang did that hurt. :o Oh and do use a good sunscreen after the sessions.
I now am getting ready to embark on my next venture of electrology for the white hairs which the laser does not take care of and in my case are more abundant that the black hairs were. I just wish the laser would take care of it all. So if anyone cares to touch on that subject also, thanks.
Hugs and good luck with the laser.
Wendy
hi alice,
i,too, am planning to get it done.
not really looking forward to the
pain though. but as others had
mentioned, no pain, no gain :laugh:
please let us know how it comes
along! ;)
Well I just got back from my first laser appointment. It wasn't terrible but it wasn't a picnic either. The sensation ranged from slightly annoying to downright painful depending on where it was being administered. The denser the hair, the more intense it was. But there is hope! I found that putting ice my face before the laser hit made it bearable. I had to numb my upper lip until I couldn't feel it and it didn't hurt at all. Right now my face is still red but it should go away.
I had a consult yesterday. I got a couple test patches done, one on the leg which didn't hurt much at all. It mostly just tingled. It wasn't much different than shaving my legs, to be honest.
The other tests were on my face. The sides of my face, like where sideburns can grow in if you let them. Holy S$%#! did that hurt! It felt like electrified tweezers ripping out 8 hairs at a time. It was about as painful as a tattoo, if you've ever had one in a painful spot. I'm not looking forward to getting my upper lip done. :( Even with the topical anesthetic it hurt. Meghan is right though-- the whole process is accomplishing something. The pain is only temporary.
When the whole thing was over, the pain actually wasn't that bad. I put a little aloe on it, and went back to work. The skin was a little tender, so I put a little ice on it when I got back to work. It was only red for a few hours, and didn't swell up at all. It was pretty much back to normal by the time I went to bed last night. I could actually see where the laser had been working, because none of the hair had grown over the course of the day, so I had a little stubble in the areas nearby, and just shadow where the laser had been.
The laser-zapped hair is definitely tough. Shaving this morning was pretty fun because I had to work around them. I felt the blade catch on a few of those laser-zapped hairs, so I'd sort of back the razor up-- I just knew I was going to tear my face to shreds if I tried to shave through that.
So I have quite a few red hairs that I don't know if they'll go away or not. They appear dark enough but when the light shines on them they look like a red-blond. I imagine since the laser hurt really bad when it hit a patch of them that they were affected.
Does anyone know if colorless or light hairs still hurt?
Quote from: Maddie Suzumiya on May 16, 2008, 11:36:15 PM
So I have quite a few red hairs that I don't know if they'll go away or not. They appear dark enough but when the light shines on them they look like a red-blond. I imagine since the laser hurt really bad when it hit a patch of them that they were affected.
Does anyone know if colorless or light hairs still hurt?
The laser targets pigment in the hairs. I imagine that they would hurt assuming that you're being cleared with a laser that is capable of distinguishing the difference between light skin and light hairs. It would really depend on the type of laser being used.
So does it get less painful as time goes on???
I'm trying to time my first one around a vacation lol.
Quote from: Lori on May 18, 2008, 09:43:07 AM
So does it get less painful as time goes on???
Yes, in my experience each session hurt less than the previous one. By the last few sessions I hardly felt anything at all in the cleared areas, and just slight stings in the remaining (and sparse) areas with hairs.
As opposed to the flaming 5' rubber band THWACKS of the earliest sessions, lol...
Less/lighter hair = less heat and energy being absorbed = less pain.
~Kate~
Quote from: Jessica L. on May 09, 2008, 01:39:50 PM
Great advice, Kate!
I'm doing my first consults over the next couple weeks. I'm so excited, I can't hardly wait!
I have a few questions to add:
Has anyone done laser for things other than facial hair? What about chest, back, bikini, and ummm, down there? Can you do laser on sensitive parts? Do you just ask them to knock you out first? :) That last was more of a joke, I'm only half serious.
I've had my bikini line done and started the genitals. The bikini line was easy. Waxing hurts more. The genitals? Ow. Even with oral and topical pain meds I couldn't finish that part. The skin is darker down there and is affected by the laser more. YMMV
Karen Lyn
Quote from: KarenLyn on May 18, 2008, 11:30:59 AM
I've had my bikini line done and started the genitals. The bikini line was easy. Waxing hurts more. The genitals? Ow. Even with oral and topical pain meds I couldn't finish that part. The skin is darker down there and is affected by the laser more. YMMV
OMG, you're brave. I know how bad my face hurt. I'm absolutely terrified of having my genitals done. :o
Quote from: Kate on May 18, 2008, 10:32:25 AM
As opposed to the flaming 5' rubber band THWACKS of the earliest sessions, lol...
~Kate~
youre scaring me kate (https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F209.85.48.12%2F11711%2F146%2Femo%2Fzap.gif&hash=f009bbab43670a1d73ba60a98c2b89aeb099ef2b)
I had a test spot done yesterday using an alexandrite laser-- it hurt way less than the diode laser I had tried out the week prior. It was also a smaller target area, so that might have had something to do with it. This was more like a series of pin pricks. The diode laser was downright painful, although that doctor charges less for her time. I didn't have a bad reaction to either laser, so I'm leaning towards the diode right now just because it's going to be a little cheaper.
3 hours till Zapping time,
:'( :icon_nervious: :icon_yikes: :icon_rolleyes2:
Quote from: Alice on May 29, 2008, 12:09:45 AM
3 hours till Zapping time,
:'( :icon_nervious: :icon_yikes: :icon_rolleyes2:
Alice.....
Another step in the journey begins.
You will be fine
Buffy
xxx
I am back from my Zapping, all went well. I told her the reason for my need for laser and she treated me carefull. We had a long chat afterward about sunscreen/foundation and she even add some nice foundation to my face to show how good it is.
Yay, I am known as Alice at the laser place. Next zapping in four weeks.
More details to follow.
Alice
I had full laser treatment on my face and neck in 2000. Package deal $2000. At first it seemed like all hairs were gone, but alas, some came back.
It seemed that I had 95% success on the sides of the face, but on the upper lip and around the chin, I would say 50% came back. Still, the laser cleared a good bit. On the neck, probably 30% returned, mostly near the jaw.
Even tho' it didn't clear it all, I think it was worth it.
I just had my second Zapping session and all went well.
I was supprised how much of a difference the first session made. I hardly had to shave for being plan old Alan and really did not get to much Alice time in the last month. I have a weekend next weekend as Alice going to the Kangaroo with a group of girls so I will have plenty of time there.
While the laser is going well I noticed a few white hairs latley and it seams that HRT has changed some of the hair colour. I have paid for another 3 laser session so I will see what I am left with after those session.
Alice
Sounds like its going well Alice!
White hairs are a problem and may have to be done by Electrolysis if they are problematic as they will not absorb the Laser light.
Enjoy your time out with the Girls!
Buffy
Had my second laser the other day and I am seeing less and less. I am not realy all that concerned about the greys. Maybe Later.
Love.
Janet
My question may sound silly and off-topic but....
I am wondering: is there a ceratin regimne, a certan cycle in which you
need to have all your treatments done? Like you need 5 tratments spaced 1 month
and you finish in 5 months. Does the time between two session need to be constant?
Can I, for example, have 2 sessions and come back for more when i collect enough money?
(which could in my case be any given time)
thanx :angel:
Quote from: Mari on June 27, 2008, 03:14:17 PM
I am wondering: is there a ceratin regimne, a certan cycle in which you
need to have all your treatments done? Like you need 5 tratments spaced 1 month
and you finish in 5 months.
You just don't want to go back too soon between sessions, or there won't be many new hairs to zap. But exactly what "too soon" is seems to vary from doctor to doctor.
~Kate~
That is not what i wanted to ask... I probably made question too confusing :(
I wanted to konw: If i can afford lets say 2 sessions now, and need more, but
don't have the money.... can i just come back later when i save it up?
I was rother worried can treatments be spaced too far one form another???
Do i need to have money form the complete treatment before i start it?
:angel:
It is possible to do two and then come back later when you have the money. It is best to ask your doctor or whoever is doing your laser. It may vary. The theory is that it is permanent. So it should not matter. I had the money and paid for five sessions upfront.
I hope that answered your question.
Janet
Yes it did... thanks... ;)
Just tell me this: does type of laser matters? Are newer one the better?
Is there any regrowth?
I heared the stories that some hair may come back (very fine and delicate)
some 5 or more years after the treatment? Is that true?
It's safe but quite painful. I've had it done on my face & legs. Though with warm skin tones, it's more common to get burns and dark spots from the laser but if peeps go to a certified esthetician, there shouldnt be any problems to complain about. Bikini line. Ouch. You're very daring!
Mari--
I've just done research on a lot of the same questions. There's a good website with info on lasers here (http://www.laserhairremovalreview.com/5methods.html)
The type of laser can matter, primarily depending on your skin color and hair color. If you have pale skin and dark hair, most any type of laser should give you some kind of result. From what I've found, most people have the best luck with a diode laser. The place I've picked to do my sessions at use a LightSheer (if it's good enough for Kate, it's good enough for me :) )
Newer lasers are probably better in the sense that they're newer, but as new technology develops some of those lasers (like IPL) have not been proven effective at any kind of long term hair reduction.
I can't answer your question about regrowth. It's only been a few months on my test patches and they look great, but I have no idea what I'll look like in a few years. My first appointment for my full face is in two and a half weeks.
Regarding your other question about spacing your appointments--
the goal with repeat sessions is to get hairs during the growth phase. Not all hairs grow all the time. If you pluck your eyebrows or get them waxed, you will notice that some grow back very fast, in less than a week, while others might take a month or so to grow back. The ones that grow back right away are still in growth phase, while the ones that take longer are dormant and become active later on. The laser, from what I'm told, is most effective on hair follicles that are in the growth phase, though I don't actually know why that is.
The standard recommendation for repeat visits is usually 4 to 8 weeks, averaging 6 weeks. This gives the dormant hair follicles time to be activated, and should be long enough for regrowth from a hair follicle that wasn't sufficiently damaged with the first treatment. If you pay for two visits, and then have to wait for six months until you can afford some more laser, then you may need an extra treatment at the end to catch follicles that were active during your "off-season" but have maybe gone dormant again. This is how I've had it explained to me. I don't know that this will necessarily equal more treatments, but I suppose if your treatments are sporadic enough it could. I mean, it's possible that you might miss the same follicle(s) during an active phase on more than one occasion if you have to take a long enough period of time in between treatments.
I would definitely recommend getting a test patch done. Some offices do it for free. If they charge, it might be cheaper just to have them do your whole face. A test patch can be $100, and a session might only be $400. For the money, it's better just to get the surface area covered. Anyway, you can see how you'll react to the laser. My test spots, for example have shown very little regrowth, and some of them had been zapped a few months ago, so even two laser sessions could potentially produce a very big reduction in facial hair without much regrowth.
The treatments are short, no longer than 20 minutes for the face. For me, most areas are not very sensitive, except for the upper lip. That area brought tears to my eyes for the first 5 or 6 treatments. After the hair thinned out, there wasn't much annoyance. I've been to a couple different places and have found that the equipment and the aesthetician can make a big difference. Too much power or too long in one spot can cause blisters & scars.
I know this is an old topic to continue conversation in (hello little message telling me to make a new topic) but I just had my first session with a GentleLase yesterday morning, so this seems a bit relevant. I was expecting pain, but this was awful. :laugh: It's good to come here and read similar experiences, I just wish there was something I could do for pain. As it is, I'm fairly resistant to most pain medication and anesthesia (to the point that I once woke up in the middle of surgery) so I don't expect there's much I can do except shove on through.
The bad part is I work in retail and have to wait to schedule appointments. :\ I don't know that I'll have enough money from session to session, either.
Hi Luna--
Try the numbing cream that you should be able to get from your laser provider. If you're not particularly susceptible to anesthetics, you might have a really fast metabolism or good circulation, or both. You might just try applying the cream right before your appointment, like maybe only 5 or 10 minutes instead of 30 minutes before.
It's worth a try anyway. Gods, that stuff hurts if you don't do anything.
i could not take the pain either, i found electro much easier for me and ofc alot more permanent.
your all verry brave
Thanks Jessica. And I do have a fast metabolism (partially due to corticosteroids for severe asthma) and very good circulation. o.O;
But yes, it was quite painful. And I didn't do anything. xD
I hate to sound macho, but I thought the pain was pretty light.
I guess that I either have a really high tolerance for pain, or something. I got really good results from one session, and I didn't think it really hurt at all.
I think that a rubber band snap is pretty accurate, albeit a big rubber band.
That's what I was expecting, a rubberband snap type pain. I don't think it makes you more or less "macho" purely from the amount of pain you feel, though. That's something beyond your control.
Generally speaking women have a better pain tolerance than men. Or so the common saying is anyway.
Quote from: snowy on March 18, 2009, 07:28:29 AM
Generally speaking women have a better pain tolerance than men. Or so the common saying is anyway.
My sister has way more pain tolerance than I do, but so does my dad.
...and mom...
...and all of my cousins.
I'm just a wimp.
Hi luna--
It does get better. As the hair gets thinner, there's less to absorb the laser energy, and so it doesn't hurt as much. I'd probably guess that the coarseness of the hair is also going to affect energy absorption, and therefore, pain.
The power of the laser has something to do with it, too. Lower settings won't hurt as much. They're not as efficacious, but you also don't have to worry as much about getting burned.
My operator upped the power on my last visit quite a bit, so that even with numbing cream it was pretty bad.
Well it's good I can look forward to less pain in upcoming visits. Maybe not the next couple... but it's good there's hope!
Thanks everyone. ;D