Hey ladies!

Does the type of laser removal technique matter when it comes to eliminating/reducing hair on the upper lip? I have dark, course upper lip hair. Am I able to go to any of the laser removal spas cis women go to (e.g. the laser removal salons offering coupons and discounts on Groupon), or as a trans person with thick facial hair should I seek more professional treatments?

I used to get laser sessions at a Dermatology Institute with doctors who specialized in skincare. It was $300 a session for full face, compared to salons on Groupon which charge $100. Link of the institute and laser removal technique listed below:

SOPRANO XL® LASER HAIR REMOVAL
This laser provides pain free, fast, safe and effective laser hair removal for patients of ALL SKIN TYPES. In addition to hair removal, it can also treat razor bumps and ingrown hairs. The advanced diode laser system precisely targets areas of hair growth and delivers narrow-wavelength light to the hair follicles, while the surrounding tissue remains untouched.
http://www.drrullan.com/laser-hair-removal/

These sessions went great and I noticed a reduction in upper lip hair, but in the back of my head I was always wondering if there were better/more effective laser techniques I should look into.. or if the cheap Groupon laser deals were good enough for me.

Additional questions:
- Is it good to be on HRT while removing facial hair, or is being off of it more effective?
- Am I able to juggle laser and electrolysis at the same time, provided I follow through with excellent skincare and each type of session was spaced far enough? Laser just did so much for my skin. It helped tighten it, and reduce acne and razor bumps on my upper lip. I do not want to stop electrolysis though.

sounds very expensive.  I booked 10 sessions in a laser clinic for I think 300 AUD dollars.  It took about 3 sessions to see any changes(sure they start out on a low power and then crank it up in later sessions).

After 5 or 6 sessions I really noticed a big difference.  I have ginger coloured facial hair though.

Im guessing that HRT will only make a difference in that the regrowth of facial hair will slow possibly making less trips to the laser clinic for you.  But to be honest I am not on hormones and I really am almost hair free on the face.

Quote from: Joanne Feliz on September 25, 2015, 03:52:17 AM
sounds very expensive.  I booked 10 sessions in a laser clinic for I think 300 AUD dollars.  It took about 3 sessions to see any changes(sure they start out on a low power and then crank it up in later sessions).

After 5 or 6 sessions I really noticed a big difference.  I have ginger coloured facial hair though.

Im guessing that HRT will only make a difference in that the regrowth of facial hair will slow possibly making less trips to the laser clinic for you.  But to be honest I am not on hormones and I really am almost hair free on the face.

Were you doing full face (forehead, cheeks, sideburns, chin, upper lip, neck) or just the beard area? They were doing my full face for $300. The cheapest deals I can seem to find in California for full face are Groupon laser salons that charge a third of the doctor price. I am just scared I will be wasting time and money in laser salons cis women go to when I should be going to dermatology doctors.

Granted I do only care about upper lip hair. I can probably go to cheap laser salons to treat the majority of my face, but maybe seek doctor help with removing the thick, course hair on my upper lip?

Hi Roni,

In general the more powerful the laser the better, but only if they are really good techs. HRT helps. Laser and electro at the same time is usually contraindicated as the hair growth cycle in humans is about 6 weeks, so electro on zapped follicles is a waste of time (and money).

In general a lot of girls get their face cleared by laser then follow up with electro as it is more expensive and time consuming.

Quote from: Cindy on September 25, 2015, 04:06:32 AM
Hi Roni,

In general the more powerful the laser the better, but only if they are really good techs. HRT helps. Laser and electro at the same time is usually contraindicated as the hair growth cycle in humans is about 6 weeks, so electro on zapped follicles is a waste of time (and money).

In general a lot of girls get their face cleared by laser then follow up with electro as it is more expensive and time consuming.

Thank you Cindy! In that case I will probably stick to laser first then. How do I know when it is time to actually switch to electrolysis vs having to do more laser sessions?

Also, while laser reduced some of my upper lip hair, not all zapped hair would fall off. In fact, many would stay and keep growing, and this is where I am thinking mixing in a bit of electrolysis will kill the follicles faster? I know it seems like a waste of time/money but my dilemma is I enjoyed laser because it kept my skin smooth/bump free, while I also enjoy the results of electrolysis because the hairs are plucked weekly and I do not have to shave as much. Would it hurt to do both at the same time, disregarding the money factor?

Because the cycle is about 6 weeks it takes that long for the hair to fall out. The follicle is dead but the hair has to get out of the skin.
It took me about 18 months to clear all of my hair. But the results have been great.

My first research paper many years ago was on hair growth cycles! I never knew it would be so relevant!

They did the full face and neck for me.  It was a promotion but I always see these laser clinics doing special deals I thiink there is a lot of competition.

Hi Cindy,  Im hoping they will be able to clone hair for implants very soon!

Quote from: Cindy on September 25, 2015, 04:37:55 AM
Because the cycle is about 6 weeks it takes that long for the hair to fall out. The follicle is dead but the hair has to get out of the skin.
It took me about 18 months to clear all of my hair. But the results have been great.

Are you saying if I do enough laser sessions, most of the hair on my face is clearable? I don't know how much truth this holds, but apparently I am a good candidate for laser because I have fair skin and dark, course hair that laser light definitely cannot miss. I only did about 8 months (6 sessions) of laser before moving to electrolysis and I still have a lot of hair. I am thinking I should have stuck with laser a bit longer.

Quote from: Joanne Feliz on September 25, 2015, 04:43:18 AM
They did the full face and neck for me.  It was a promotion but I always see these laser clinics doing special deals I thiink there is a lot of competition.

Hi Cindy,  Im hoping they will be able to clone hair for implants very soon!

Joanne,

I did look at hair transplants for my bald spot. My hairdresser told me I didn't need them as I was growing back hair on HRT. I did some consults with Ashely and Martin in Australia and I'm very happy to share there comments and prices, and the comments from my GRS surgeon about them!!!

Quote from: Cindy on September 25, 2015, 04:47:43 AM
Joanne,

I did look at hair transplants for my bald spot. My hairdresser told me I didn't need them as I was growing back hair on HRT. I did some consults with Ashely and Martin in Australia and I'm very happy to share there comments and prices, and the comments from my GRS surgeon about them!!!

I'm jealous Cindy! HRT didn't seem to help with my hair problem, and I've had to resort to hair transplants. Currently waiting out the results of the transplant.

Usually the type of laser doesn't matter as much as the settings. If the settings aren't high enough the hair follicles will not really be disabled effectively. I pay $75/session for full face (beard, cheeks, upper lip, sideburns, neck). I have darker skin and dark hairs so they use the Nd:YAG. I've had 5 sessions so far and my hairs are very thin now.

You can go to those group on places but my gut instinct is to stay away from them and go with either a dermatologist or someone who has worked on Trans women as our hairs are thicker.

HRT is not an issue although I did have to answer "yes" as to whether I was on any birth control.

Quote from: Roni on September 25, 2015, 04:44:59 AM

Quote from: Cindy on September 25, 2015, 04:37:55 AM
Because the cycle is about 6 weeks it takes that long for the hair to fall out. The follicle is dead but the hair has to get out of the skin.
It took me about 18 months to clear all of my hair. But the results have been great.

Are you saying if I do enough laser sessions, most of the hair on my face is clearable? I don't know how much truth this holds, but apparently I am a good candidate for laser because I have fair skin and dark, course hair that laser light definitely cannot miss. I only did about 8 months (6 sessions) of laser before moving to electrolysis and I still have a lot of hair. I am thinking I should have stuck with laser a bit longer.

We all know YMMV but I was cleared. I haven't had any electro. My avatar is me. I have no more facial hair than a cisfemale ( all women have some facial hair). Ahh I feel my BF face against mine like a scrubbing brush against my skin (even after he has shaved), so I must have sensitive skin and little hair.

Quote from: iKate on September 25, 2015, 04:53:11 AM
Usually the type of laser doesn't matter as much as the settings. If the settings aren't high enough the hair follicles will not really be disabled effectively. I pay $75/session for full face (beard, cheeks, upper lip, sideburns, neck). I have darker skin and dark hairs so they use the Nd:YAG. I've had 5 sessions so far and my hairs are very thin now.

You can go to those group on places but my gut instinct is to stay away from them and go with either a dermatologist or someone who has worked on Trans women as our hairs are thicker.

HRT is not an issue although I did have to answer "yes" as to whether I was on any birth control.

I was at a clinic that looked after women with POCS, so they were very used to 'hairy' women.

Quote from: iKate on September 25, 2015, 04:53:11 AM
Usually the type of laser doesn't matter as much as the settings. If the settings aren't high enough the hair follicles will not really be disabled effectively. I pay $75/session for full face (beard, cheeks, upper lip, sideburns, neck). I have darker skin and dark hairs so they use the Nd:YAG. I've had 5 sessions so far and my hairs are very thin now.

You can go to those group on places but my gut instinct is to stay away from them and go with either a dermatologist or someone who has worked on Trans women as our hairs are thicker.

HRT is not an issue although I did have to answer "yes" as to whether I was on any birth control.

I am definitely doing something wrong if I've been paying $300 a session for full face, dermatologist or not. 

I paid about that for 30-60mins in Australia.

Hi Roni,I

I wouldn't feel bad.  I paid $300 for a full-face treatment at a trans-friendly salon with experienced techs.  Follow-ups were $50.  This was in Alexandria, VA, though, and everything is expensive.   I pay $128/hr for electrolysis. It's on the expensive side, but my electrologist is very supportive, attentive, and knowledgable, and I appreciate that.

Although paying more is no guarantee of quality, you have to judge the value by the results, and the level of care and professionalism you get.  It's like going to a discount auto mechanic.  Yeah, you get charged less, but how much confidence do you have that things are being done right? 

You look gorgeous, BTW!

Terri

Quote from: Roni on September 25, 2015, 03:48:37 AM
Hey ladies!

Does the type of laser removal technique matter when it comes to eliminating/reducing hair on the upper lip? I have dark, course upper lip hair. Am I able to go to any of the laser removal spas cis women go to (e.g. the laser removal salons offering coupons and discounts on Groupon), or as a trans person with thick facial hair should I seek more professional treatments?

Additional questions:
- Is it good to be on HRT while removing facial hair, or is being off of it more effective?
- Am I able to juggle laser and electrolysis at the same time, provided I follow through with excellent skincare and each type of session was spaced far enough? Laser just did so much for my skin. It helped tighten it, and reduce acne and razor bumps on my upper lip. I do not want to stop electrolysis though.

I had extensive LHR both before HRT and after, with both Alexandrite and Diode lasers (like the one you posted).  Both lasers have been pretty equally effective, and HRT didn't seem to make a difference.  I think the main point is that they use the highest fluence setting that your skin (and pain threshold) can tolerate (without burning).

Like Cindy said, with laser one should expect to have an appointment every 8-9 weeks like clockwork for 18 months to completely clear an area permanently.

I'm still going through both LHR and electrolysis (for the blond hairs, which the laser doesn't treat) on my face, though I think the laser will only need 1 or 2 more sessions.

Quote from: Roni on September 25, 2015, 04:57:13 AM
I am definitely doing something wrong if I've been paying $300 a session for full face, dermatologist or not. 

Well to be fair I go to a school but one of the instructors treats me. They are very good and she is a Trans woman.