I am going to read up soon on the difference between laser and electrolysis.
I am thinking that laser lightens hair and the other destroys its follicles, and both are painful.

Chrissy

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on February 06, 2018, 09:17:54 PM
I am going to read up soon on the difference between laser and electrolysis.
I am thinking that laser lightens hair and the other destroys its follicles, and both are painful.

Hi Chrissy,

Both methods kill the follicles, but laser only works on dark hair on lighter skin. Laser is by far the fastest and least expensive way to go if you can use it. I started with laser to get the dark hairs, but we seem to have exhausted those, and all I have now are light or gray hairs. From now on it'll be electrolysis.

Yes, both are painful. Laser is like getting snapped in the face with a red-hot rubber band, sometimes really hard, over and over for 20-30 minutes. But if you have dark hair, it will kill those that are in their growth cycle. It'll take multiple sessions, usually about 4 weeks apart, to kill them all, since not all hairs are in their growth cycle at the same time.

I can't yet speak about how painful electrolysis is. I'll have first-hand information in three weeks, but my girlfriend Cassie tells me that it isn't quite as bad as laser.


- Stephanie

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on February 06, 2018, 09:17:54 PM
Ellie,


That is good news!  Sometimes Groupon discounts are occasionally available too I hear.

I am going to read up soon on the difference between laser and electrolysis.
I am thinking that laser lightens hair and the other destroys its follicles, and both are painful.

Chrissy

I used groupon actually, definitely a better deal.

And they say laser is "hair reduction", but it is just a technicality and it really is killing hairs every bit as much as electrolysis does. The way I've seen the difference explained is that Laser targets an area. If it killes 75% of the hair in that area, thats a 75% reduction. Electrolysis targets a single hair. And it kills that single hair, every time. Therefore, laser is "hair reduction", electrolysis is "hair removal".

Electrolysis to me feels like a light burning stinging sensation; and laser is like red hot rubber bands snapping on your face, but my laser sessions only lasted a minute or two (20-30 minutes? wholly hell!!!)

Stephanie,


Thank you for explaining about the hair reduction and removal methods.  Are those the two viable procedures for permanently removing facial hair? 

How long must the hair grow out for either procedure to be able to work on the facial hair?


Chrissy

Quote from: Roll on February 06, 2018, 09:45:38 PM
I used groupon actually, definitely a better deal.

And they say laser is "hair reduction", but it is just a technicality and it really is killing hairs every bit as much as electrolysis does. The way I've seen the difference explained is that Laser targets an area. If it killes 75% of the hair in that area, thats a 75% reduction. Electrolysis targets a single hair. And it kills that single hair, every time. Therefore, laser is "hair reduction", electrolysis is "hair removal".

Thanks Ellie.  Good to know.

Chrissy

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on February 06, 2018, 10:06:03 PM
Stephanie,


Thank you for explaining about the hair reduction and removal methods.  Are those the two viable procedures for permanently removing facial hair? 

How long must the hair grow out for either procedure to be able to work on the facial hair?

Some people have endorsed IPL - Intense Pulsed Light systems as being effective, but generally what I've heard is that system may work on lighter, finer body hair, but isn't too effective on facial hair. I don't know of anything else that will permanently remove hair - but I don't know everything by any means.

For laser I was instructed to shave closely within twelve hours of the procedure. Since the laser works by the dark hair absorbing the light energy and heating up the follicle, you want as little hair above the skin as possible absorbing it.

Electrolysis, on the other hand, works by inserting a tiny needle into the follicle and destroying it with heat or RF energy or both, then pulling the dead hair and root out with tweezers. There has to be enough hair to grab onto. I was instructed to let it grow for at least three days before, and we'll see if it's good enough. Some with faster growing hair can get by with less, and others have to go longer. I suspect as things progress with HRT, growth will slow, so you might have to increase the time from where you started.

I am not looking forward to it. A clean face is essential to femininity, and stubble is likely to induce some dysphoria. Plus needles and I don't get along at all. But I have to keep the goal in mind. When it's done, never having to shave again will be worth it all.


- Stephanie

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on February 06, 2018, 10:06:03 PM
Stephanie,


Thank you for explaining about the hair reduction and removal methods.  Are those the two viable procedures for permanently removing facial hair? 

How long must the hair grow out for either procedure to be able to work on the facial hair?


Chrissy

I think there is some uncertainty about how permanent laser is. I don't believe they can advertise it as permanent.  Darker hair on lighter skin works best.

I started electrolysis in October 2016, been doing about 3 hours a month so ce Switched to two 90 minutes sessions the last year or so to make fewer days that I couldn't shave. Probably going to have to go back to hour long soon.  She's booked pretty far out and gets harder to find a 90 minute  block whete she's available and that fits in my schedule.

I did have enough dark hairs that my electrologist suggested I try laser also. 
I had 5 laser sessions about a month apart and did an hour of electrolysis the 2 or 3 times in between.  Probably could have stopped after 4 laser sessions but I did one more.  Not enough dark hairs left to be worth it. 

Stephanie covered the the when to shave part.  When I started electrolysis, 2 days was enough growth.  I need 3 now and give my upper lip 4 days.  Upper lip is mostly clear but some of the previously dormant hairs are popping up.

Don't think I ever took any pain meds or used anything for the laser.  When there was any pain it was kind of like a burn. 
Didn't use anything topically the first couple electrolysis sessions either.  Have been slathering on lidocaine cream or gel before hand now.  Either I'm a tough bitch or my electrologist is really good because I've had nowhere near the pain issues others report.

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Stephanie,

Thanks. 

The pain factor and cost factor makes me wonder if there are safe depilatory creams that can be used, shaving twice or more a day can work for some I suppose. 

But a permanent fix seems like the way to go for the long term.  No pain, no gain I suppose.


Chrissy

Quote from: TonyaW on February 06, 2018, 11:53:32 PM

Don't think I ever took any pain meds or used anything for the laser.  When there was any pain it was kind of like a burn. 
Didn't use anything topically the first couple electrolysis sessions either.  Have been slathering on lidocaine cream or gel before hand now.  Either I'm a tough bitch or my electrologist is really good because I've had nowhere near the pain issues others report.

Tonya,

You are tough!  Neither process sounds pleasant at all!

Thank you for this information.


Chrissy

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on February 07, 2018, 12:24:40 AM

Tonya,

You are tough!  Neither process sounds pleasant at all!

Thank you for this information.


Chrissy

No they are not pleasant.  Though with enough lidocaine and the lack of coffee due to the recommend caffeine restriction, I have nodded off during electrolysis.  My fitbit usually says I was in light sleep  through my sessions.

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Quote from: ChrissyRyan on February 07, 2018, 12:18:06 AM
Stephanie,

Thanks. 

The pain factor and cost factor makes me wonder if there are safe depilatory creams that can be used, shaving twice or more a day can work for some I suppose. 

But a permanent fix seems like the way to go for the long term.  No pain, no gain I suppose.


Chrissy

Just a comment on depilatory creams on the face.

Do be VERY careful. Most depilatory creams contain a strong alkali, that is what dissolves the hair. The eye is extremely susceptible to  changes in the pH that can be caused by alkali. If you get some in the eye you will probably be permanently blinded.

Always check that a depilatory cream is OK for the face and never get them anywhere near your eyes.

Oh and laser hurts the first few times but get easier after the beard is thinned out. It isn't really all that bad. I never used any pain killers. I just concentrated on the end result.

Get a rubber band, stretch it a bit and ping it into your cheek. That is the extreme of how much laser hurts.

Quote from: Steph2.0 on February 06, 2018, 09:34:47 PM
I can't yet speak about how painful electrolysis is. I'll have first-hand information in three weeks, but my girlfriend Cassie tells me that it isn't quite as bad as laser.

Keep believing that, hun.  You'll find out soon enough.  (...as Kathy climbs down from the ceiling.)

For me laser was more painful than electro.  Electrolysis isn't terribly painful to be honest.  For me the repetitive poke, sting, tug process that repeats several hundred times over the course of a treatment is really irritating mentally.

The hair on my ears has mostly gone away after more than 3 years on HRT. I hope the rest follows it. It's mostly not noticeable except to my stylist and me, but still!

The spy who came in from the cold in the War Between the Sexes.

Quote from: Dee Marshall on February 07, 2018, 07:13:45 AM
The hair on my ears has mostly gone away after more than 3 years on HRT. I hope the rest follows it. It's mostly not noticeable except to my stylist and me, but still!

The spy who came in from the cold in the War Between the Sexes.

Ear hair .. Hate them. Where'd this straggler come from on my ear lobe? 'spoink' OWWW, but it's gone now. Having them not come back would be so nice.

Quote from: Colleen_definitely on February 07, 2018, 06:57:11 AM
For me laser was more painful than electro.  Electrolysis isn't terribly painful to be honest.  For me the repetitive poke, sting, tug process that repeats several hundred times over the course of a treatment is really irritating mentally.

Same here, though I never used any pain meds pre treatment for laser.

My electrologist installed a tv on the ceiling  a while back.  At first she just showed "relaxing" you tube videos, which helped put me to sleep ( see my post above).  A while back she suggested I watch Grace and Frankie on Netflix.  Makes the time fly by pretty good.

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Quote from: Faith on February 07, 2018, 07:54:33 AM
Ear hair .. Hate them. Where'd this straggler come from on my ear lobe? 'spoink' OWWW, but it's gone now. Having them not come back would be so nice.

I had my esthetician lase my ears and they are WAY better than they used to be. 

Quote from: TonyaW on February 07, 2018, 12:34:26 AM

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on February 07, 2018, 12:24:40 AM

Tonya,

You are tough!  Neither process sounds pleasant at all!

Thank you for this information.


Chrissy

No they are not pleasant.  Though with enough lidocaine and the lack of coffee due to the recommend caffeine restriction, I have nodded off during electrolysis.  My fitbit usually says I was in light sleep  through my sessions.

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Be careful with the lidocaine especially if you have heart problems as too much or too big an area can cause a severe reaction. It's happened to me twice. Really thought I might die. To make sure it works, apply two hours before time and cover with plastic wrap. It works but not as good as I thought.  Your experience may be different.

I haven't had laser but you haven't lived until you've had electrolysis right next to your nose. When we were working on that area my hair was wet with tears and the sides of my face was itching from the salty tears flowing over them. Of course we didn't know about some of the ways to control pain today and dental blocks were difficult to get so I did it without anything to control the pain.