......I have a question for you all that I'd like your opinion on....
So I just turned 23 and will be starting hormones in about a month.  I have an appointment for a consultation to begin Laser Hair Removal.  So my question is this....in the meantime (before beginning Laser and in btwn. sessions) should I try and shave as little as possible (i.e. once a week or every 8 days or so) OR should I maintain a regular shaving routine (i.e. - for me thats about every 4 days, sometimes 3)?
The reason I ask this is because I have heard pros and cons from both sides:  My friend who is an aesthetician said that shaving is a good thing because it regularly exfoiliates the skin.  That is why men tyically have skin that peels when it is dry and their skin, while its rougher genetically, is somewhat smoother than a female's skin.
BUT on the other hand I have heard people suggest shaving TEARS the skin up, especially on the face.  And I am curious whether letting the facial hair break through the skin for several days and grow in lenght damages your chances of more smooth, poreless skin in the future - even with hormones and laser?

And of course, as we all do, I want to have the smoothest complexion as possible.  I know getting rid of the hair via Laser and beginning hormones will help my skin change alot.  And I have been taking care of my skin (sunscreen, peels, exfoilating, etc) for quite sometime.

So I just wanted you ladies opinions on this.....what should I do shave regularly or try to do it as little as possible?

Thanks girls!

I've had two laser sessions so far, and I have my third next week.  I shaved my face every day before starting, even though I probably didn't need it.  Still do, and now I know I really don't need it.  I guess it just reassures me.  You definitely want to shave the day of your treatment though, at least thats what the place I have my sessions at told me.  Sorry I couldn't be more helpful 

I say shave if it makes you feel better. For the consultation yeah they like a little bit of hair to focus on like a few millimetres. Looking after your skin is important as the laser removal does tend to dry it out. So I reccomend a moisturiser with suntan lotion for protection against tanning. As most laser places still use regular IPL's. Sometimes its hard to shave after a session because of the sensitive skin being heated. Your skin should tell you whether you can have a shave or not.

I can't address the factors on skin condition, but I can tell you about the experiences between laser sessions. For me, it takes a fews days to be able to get a few hairs by tugging gently with a tweezer, but mostly, they won't come out easily until about 10 days after. So during that time I don't shave because I want the hairs to be pushed out and to see the length of them. After the hairs have fallen out, you'll be able to see the areas that have been cleared or where the new crop is ready to grow, or the ones that just didn't die.

For a while, say about the third/fourth week my face was cleared except for new hairs. Once they began to emerge, the hairs came out in random patterns/clusters. It was at this point that I would shave just to not look so weird.

I am able to get my laser done on Sundays, so on Thursdays I would let the hair grow out and take pictures of my face Sunday morning before laser to track the growth/removal patterns. Then I'd shave for the session.

It is worthwhile to track the progress, and the best time to see that is just before the next session, that would show you the max growth of new areas.

I am schedule to take my eighth session and laser does work. Except for a few stranglers, my upper lip is completely hairless, and my chin is following not too far behind.

Oh yes, the only day I would shave against the grain in on the laser day. I'm pretty gentle on my skin and have never had problems with cuts or scratches while shaving. And I like to use the Mach3.

Shave however much you like.  Laser is not electro.

But after your session you should avoid using a straight razor for a few days...your skins sensitive then.

Once you are on hormones for a while, your skin will become softer and more delicate, so shaving can be harsh on your face if you are not careful. But, you can continue to shave with the laser. You may want to wait a day or so after laser to shave because your face will probably still be quite sensitive (I believe someone already mentioned this).

Use sunblock and a good moisturizer for your face.

Depending on your country and laser tech they will either ask for alittle growth when you go in <like in AUS> or to be perfectly clean shaven <America>...

For the most part shaveing isnt a big issue, do whats comfortable... when it gets patchy youll find yourself shaveing every day just cuz it looks wierd... I hate razors cuz they tear up my skin and cause ingrowns... but after my 3rd session of laser its become a much less painful ordeal...  I shave every single day now <I used to wax it all off talk about painful> even after laser sessions... but I have a very high pain tollorance....

I do recomend you get yourself a good moisturisor and if your laser tech dosnt remcomend it I will... get a VERY VERY high SPF sunscreen 50 or better and apply it every 2-3 hours depending on your sun exposure... dont go a day or more than 3 hours durring the day with out it... trust me on this...  when you go in for your actual sessions be sure to deep clense the skin and make sure there is no residue from anything.. soap, makeup, shaveing cream and so on... it can cause complications...

QUick question for you...  are you going for a new type laser <aurora or alexandra lasers> or the older types?  older types dont work on light, blonde, non pigment and red hairs... only dark ones... they also tend to be more painful...  is it a national chain, or a local small buisness...  is the center your going to monitored by an actual Doctor?  do some research before picking your laser center... its well worth the time 

I agree Lynn..moisturize is essential as after the sessions your face feels sunburned. I had my first treatment earlier this week with another session in 4 weeks. My tech said it would be about 5 sessions total. She has one of the new "cool" lasers and she studied with a plastic surgeon for 3 years. The only hair type that doesn't do well are the grays. The 1st time she got 673 hairs. The sensation was as if you have a dozen needles jabbing you at once, upper lip was very sensitive. She did say that the pain tends to decrease with each treatment. I think the hormones have something to do with the pain level because the skin is so much softer. But this is going to worth every cent and pain, finally. Jolene

Hi Mclova,
Well, I kinda consider myself an experienced laser hair removal recipient. I got burned pretty badly (see my blog about it, ugh) on my second treatment. I noticed that your hair will be like STEEL right after the laser. I shaved it (dont get frustrated when it doesnt shave well, it wont come out very well and when it does, you have serious shadow). Like Candi said, it takes at least 7 days before you can easily pull them out with tweezers. I went to Sharper Image and bought a really nice lighted make up mirror with 7x zoom and I would pluck each night. DON'T PLUCK THE ONE THAT DONT COME OUT EASILY! The dead ones come right out. Space the visits out 9-12 weeks, the first go round won't reduce too much probably. Take care, Meghan

I had laser done almost 10 years ago. And I get compliments on my complexion all the time. I shaved all the time before laser. I was fortunate that my facial hair was dark so the laser was very effective. I do have some white ones the laser couldn't get but that's because I waited until I was old to do my transition.



Karen Lyn

I to have been doing laser for over a year. Everyone here has the facts pretty straight. I was told by the lady doing the sessions that no matter how bad I want to pluck the hair out with tweezers don't do it. The reason behind this is that the laser has to run down the hair to the root. Plucked hairs take longer to grow back, and you could miss the root on a session because the hair wasn't close enough to the skin for the pulse to reach. I do shave before every session, just no plucking. For my past 3 sessions they have used the diode laser which is a lot stronger than the pulse light. It stings a little more at first, but the results are amazing. I still have a few places where a patch will grow out, but it has to grow 3 or 4 days until I can see it. What's funny is that I am 32 and never noticed grey or white hairs on my face. Now that's pretty much all that will grow so until they invent a laser that kills white hair I am going to have to do a bit of electro. The best of luck to you. And be sure to stay out of the sun keep that face moisturized that is VERY important.

Holly

Quote from: Holly31 on August 19, 2007, 02:03:49 AM
What's funny is that I am 32 and never noticed grey or white hairs on my face. Now that's pretty much all that will grow so until they invent a laser that kills white hair I am going to have to do a bit of electro.

The aurora among other newer type lasers does remove white hairs, grey hairs, red hairs, non pigment, and extreemly light blonde ones LoL... it just takes time