Actually I should say 'hair removal specialist' rather than 'laser specialist', as this lady has a wide range of treatments available and has invested a huge amount of money in various pieces of equipment. She is a qualified doctor and this gave me the confidence to go to her. My initial visit lasted 2 hours and cost me nothing except for some applications which I will mention later.
She spent a very long time explaining the technicalities of hair reduction/removal and explaining what could be reasonably expected. Although I am naturally blonde my facial growth ( I hate calling it my beard) is dark, but as I am now sixty I have a large amount of grey and white hairs which are difficult to treat with conventional laser.
So it was decided that I would need ten sessions of IPL treatment - that's intensive pulsed light - costing £175 per session and I was given an intensive patch test on the day of my first visit, which lasted about ten minutes. I'd be a liar if I said it didn't hurt, but the pain is momentary and there is no after pain whatsoever. If you want to know more about IPL you will have to look it up on the web - it's far too technical for me to attempt to explain.
My next appointment is in January and between now and then I have to apply a special gel which dyes the light coloured hairs, not on the surface but right down to the root where the treatment is focussed, which will improve the chances of success. Also I have to apply a another special skin treatment daily AND, because my occupation means I am working out of doors alot, I am to wear an effective sun block daily, even though it's now winter here.
I will do an update after my January appointment. The clinic is in the south of England and if anyone wants details send me a private message.