My Current laser tech is using same equip0ment as previous place but different method which I don't think is as effective, it certainly works but not as well. Might be off to my other place.

Thank you ladies

Liz

The concentrated pulse certainly seems to work pretty effectively, and beyond feeling like getting slapped with an elastic band, there's very little pain. The wave/pass method might be simply to reduce that? (While at the same time, not being as directly effective? I'd have to do my own research to be sure.)

Quote from: Angela Drakken on January 30, 2017, 02:13:07 PM
The concentrated pulse certainly seems to work pretty effectively, and beyond feeling like getting slapped with an elastic band, there's very little pain. The wave/pass method might be simply to reduce that? (While at the same time, not being as directly effective? I'd have to do my own research to be sure.)

The wave pass method is effective but when you get to the part where we are down to odd area' especially under the nose. I think for targeting specific area the static method is preferred which is what my original laser clinic did. They were also double the price of the wave pass method. I don't know enough about laser and can find very little on methods of use for the Elux 810 which both places I have been to use. Will keep hunting for stuff

Liz

...about an hour away from my first appointment...so excited to get started, not so excited about the pain

Quote from: staciM on February 01, 2017, 11:29:06 AM
...about an hour away from my first appointment...so excited to get started, not so excited about the pain

Its not so bad. Like I said, elastic band. You'll be fine.

Thanks Angela, I'm back...and still alive.... but there were certainly some unpleasant spots...namely above the lip and a bit under the chin.  Lots of burning smells which I was told was a good thing [emoji4]

Btw, i was so impressed with the girls working there...I'm not fully presenting yet but they always used proper pronouns and always called me Staci...even though for insurance purposes my paperwork is in my given name.

Quote from: staciM on February 01, 2017, 02:49:59 PM
Thanks Angela, I'm back...and still alive.... but there were certainly some unpleasant spots...namely above the lip and a bit under the chin.  Lots of burning smells which I was told was a good thing [emoji4]

Btw, i was so impressed with the girls working there...I'm not fully presenting yet but they always used proper pronouns and always called me Staci...even though for insurance purposes my paperwork is in my given name.

Ooops yeah the smell...maybe I blot it out. Gad it went well. Did you use ice first to numb the area? Some techs do...now watch...especially when you see the first few fall out...about a week or so...if feels great
Liz

Quote from: ElizabethK on February 01, 2017, 03:47:09 PM
Ooops yeah the smell...maybe I blot it out. Gad it went well. Did you use ice first to numb the area? Some techs do...now watch...especially when you see the first few fall out...about a week or so...if feels great
Liz

They did use a special electric cooled roller that releases some sort of cooling lotion that they roll over the skin before each zap.  That certainly seemed to help.

I already have some hairs that have come to the surface (to show their ugly face)...which  must have been directly related to the treatment because my face certainly doesn't grow that quickly....but as Angela warned, I'm going to leave them alone.  Overall my face feels fine now....other than above my lip where it feels just a bit tender.

in about a week when you exfoliate your face start looking for them coming out....The laser my Tech uses has a cooled tip and she spreads cool gel but after a few sweeps the tip can get pretty darn hot...the smell is your burning hair...the firzzeled hairs on top will most likely grow back...some just do that I don't know why...sometimes if you miss one shaving and it gets zapped it looks like that and they always regrow for me...over the next week look to see them thicken up and then they start to fall out.

Hope you get a good amount "shedding" from your first visit. I was surprised about how much.

Liz

For anyone that's interested, educational YouTuber Veratasium put out a video on the science of laser hair removal.

Gotta love the smell of the laser plumes! /sarcasm




Hugs,
~Brooke~

Quote from: staciM on February 01, 2017, 02:49:59 PM
Thanks Angela, I'm back...and still alive.... but there were certainly some unpleasant spots...namely above the lip and a bit under the chin.  Lots of burning smells which I was told was a good thing [emoji4]

OH GEEZ. Yeah, those spots are always a sensitive one, even after about 6-8 visits. (More densely packed hairs in a tiny area, much more sensitive skin around the mouth and under the chin, and often, a lot more passes in short succession. The more you get used to it, my techs been raising the intensity more and more, and more, the laser cant GET higher, so we just do more passes.)

Quote from: staciM on February 01, 2017, 02:49:59 PM
Btw, i was so impressed with the girls working there...I'm not fully presenting yet but they always used proper pronouns and always called me Staci...even though for insurance purposes my paperwork is in my given name.

Not many places still use my given name, and it's pretty awesome. I do get embarrassed  (I know it's silly) on my 'less than best' days, with a weeks growth just so I have enough to get via electrolysis though.. Y.Y

 It's been 5 days since my first appointment and I've left my face alone since then....I have a group meeting today and went to shave, and holy crap, what a complete mess.  I've always had a very consistent beard to deal with but now my face is a wreck....no amount of makeup is going to fix this....so discouraged.

Quote from: staciM on February 05, 2017, 12:16:13 PM
It's been 5 days since my first appointment and I've left my face alone since then....I have a group meeting today and went to shave, and holy crap, what a complete mess.  I've always had a very consistent beard to deal with but now my face is a wreck....no amount of makeup is going to fix this....so discouraged.

I'm sorry to hear things didn't go well :-(

Can you describe the mess that you speak of- we might be able to help troubleshoot with some more details.


Hugs,
~Brooke~

Quote from: Brooke on February 05, 2017, 03:50:03 PM
I'm sorry to hear things didn't go well :-(

Can you describe the mess that you speak of- we might be able to help troubleshoot with some more details.


Hugs,
~Brooke~

Thanks for reaching out Brooke.  I guess there was enough makeup...about a L of Dermablend seemed to be the right amount . I did end up going to my group meeting.

The problem was that I couldn't seem to get close enough to get a clean shave without quite a bit of irritation, bumps, redness and cuts.  Something I've never had a problem with until I started laser removal.

The lasered hairs don't behave like normal beard hairs and can be very difficult to shave. They go all weird in the way they stick out, I hear you. Try using an electric razor before blade shaving I find that helps a heap. You need to be gentle with your facial skin...it is going to be sensitive...I understand the need to be beard free and smooth. If you are able to put up with an electric shave for awhile it will soon get to the point where is it no longer an issues...I very rarely use a blade now because it tears up my face so badly. The number of red shaving bumps I have has decreased dramatically since I dropped the blade. The electric just seems to be so much better for my skin

Liz

Thanks Liz, that's a great idea that I didn't even consider.  I've been using a blade exclusively for a few years since an electric wasn't getting as smooth as I would like (although I do have a very good one).  However, the way my skin feels right now I can certainly see how the electric would be a better choice.  Thanks again

Quote from: staciM on February 05, 2017, 07:30:22 PM
Thanks Liz, that's a great idea that I didn't even consider.  I've been using a blade exclusively for a few years since an electric wasn't getting as smooth as I would like (although I do have a very good one).  However, the way my skin feels right now I can certainly see how the electric would be a better choice.  Thanks again

Biggest downside with the electric is, it does not give as smooth as a blade but will get smoother with each treatment...

Liz

I did not have that issue with laser specifically but I did have issues with bumps, nicks, and closeness earlier in my life.

I ended up switching to a good shaving oil called shave secret. Moisturizers the face really well and also provides an extremely slick surface for the blade.

SHAVE SECRET SHAVING OIL- THE BEST SHAVE EVER! 18.75ML [Health and Beauty] https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0023XF60Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_ekrMybJRGNNXT


Hugs,
~Brooke~

Quote from: staciM on February 05, 2017, 12:16:13 PM
It's been 5 days since my first appointment and I've left my face alone since then....I have a group meeting today and went to shave, and holy crap, what a complete mess.  I've always had a very consistent beard to deal with but now my face is a wreck....no amount of makeup is going to fix this....so discouraged.

Usually this will be the case for the first 8-10 days or up to 14. The hairs treated by laser are essentiay burnt and crispy (and working their way closer to the surface to shed!) I always found the first 2 or 3 times after getting baked I still see black bits of the hair just below the skin surface and I cant ever shave close enough to get em. (Naturally, they're under a couple layers of skin.) By week three all shedding was done and by the 4th week Id be going in for another round. Ive heard of people doing laser appointments much closer together (two weeks) I think 4 weeks worked very well for me.

Heavier makeup should do the trick, but do take care to clean it off thoroughly and baby the hell out of your skin for atleast that first 10 days!
(Theres this Kat Von D one for covering up tattoos that works well!)

Just wait til you start yanking out greys and blondes with electrolysis. >.<

Thanks again girls.  I figured I should update things.  I'm 2 weeks after my laser appointment and shedding is almost complete.  Shaving was much better the second time, even with a razor.  Also, I just had my first electrolysis appointment yesterday for an hour and it went really well.  45min before the appointment I took 400mg of Advil Migraine relief and lathered up with numbing cream and it was a breeze.  I wish she could have kept going but she had another appointment booked right after.  She started around my chin, which I'm sure is an easy and less painful spot but at least it was a positive experience:).  Next laser is in a couple weeks....~4 weeks after the first.
Also, sorry for the hijack