Hello all, I have had 7 sessions of Diode laser so far on my face. They have been going subpar, but the results are still there. I've noticed that I seem to get varrying results in my laser treatment, and it's really upsetting. Last month marked my 6th session, and like 95% of my shadow was gone at the 2 week mark. Almost all of it. And then it came back and I had my 7th laser session. But it's at the 2 week mark, and I have a darker shadow this month than last month. Is this normal? I can't take a selfie without a 5oc shadow this month, but last month all my selfies were shadow-less. Also on my 4th session, I had decent results, but my 5th session I looked worse. I want to know if this is due to my laser sessions being flakey, or my natural cycles. I get my session every 4-5 weeks.

This 7th session, she seemed in a hurry and was like "I have someone after you". I immediately told her "Don't rush it please". And she did 1 pass over everything very dabby, like *poke poke poke* at my skin, and it only felt warm on like 3/4 of my face, and barely hurt on the jawline or anything, but she finished in no time. I've noticed her other clients seem to take forever as they chat and stuff behind the closed door.

To note, on the 6th session, I complained.  I sat in the waiting room half an hour, and my appointment was like 5 minutes late and I started complaining. But when I come in to get my face laserd she seems to go very fast and I'm out the door and money's gone. This time was different. She seemed to *turn it up* or something fishy, and it hurt a lot and I had AMAZING results that month, like I said. But last session (7th), felt nothing like that and I didn't get the same reaction.

Am I being scammed / played here? I want to know if my paranoia is justified. Is she purposely flaking out on quality, so that she can maximize profits from my return visits? Is it because I'm trans maybe? Anyone else experienced this?

It can take up to a dozen sessions to clear 80% or more of your hair.  It will only work on dark colored hair, not on red, blonde or grey.  The laser's effectiveness does depend on the skill of the clinician and on the setting used.  If it's poorly administered it will be less effective. 

It also depends on how long you wait between sessions.  I have been going to Ideal Image for my treatments.  They schedule appointments 8 weeks apart.  I've heard of some salons doing it every 3 or 4 weeks, which will decrease the effectiveness. 

Because of your hair's natural growth cycles, each time you get a treatment only 40% or less of your hair is getting zapped, and only those follicles that are actively growing can be killed by the laser.  What that means is that you can get several treatments and see no real reduction because the hairs growing in after the session were dormant during your last laser session.  This is especially true if they're too close together.

I had 4 sessions over 6 months at Ideal Image using an Alexandrite laser, and i didn't feel like i was seeing a lot of reduction.  My fifth session was 6 weeks ago. It seems to have been very effective. At this point I can go several days without shaving and it's difficult for people to see any dark hair on my face. In addition to the cumulative effect of my sessions, my clinician has been increasing the setting on the laser during each session.  This past one was incredibly painful, way beyond what I've felt in prior sessions.

I have heard of people who've had a dozen treatments to the face with only moderate results.  Others i've talked to have had 3-4 treatments are are virtually hair free now.  There many variables with administering the treatment and your individual hair/skin type. 

Being on HRT long term can help too.  Testosterone can work against you.


Like it or not this is a LONG process for most of us.  Even if future treatments are effective you'll probably have to go for electrolysis to finish removing your beard. 

Like I did say too. My shadow was gone already, but came back. I get a treatment every month. Just strange for a 7th. I started on alexandrite too, but i moved to diode after 3 sessions alexandrite, and 4 diode after those. The reason I switched over, was the last places was lazy with me. Both places I've gone to are professionals. First was a plastic surgery center that had a gentlemax pro. The one i'm going to is run by a dermatologist with a M22 I believe? It has diode and ipl and skin treatments too. But I feel she is skimping out on me so her really expensive laser machine lasts longer.

Also I have techincally been on HRT since I made my account here in 2014, but it was low(ish) dose for a while with full blockers. I have lost some body hair or a lot has thinned thankfully too. It's just I haven't had any reduction on my face. It got to the point that my own face hurt my arm. It was horrible. My arms are soft and smooth and nice, and then my face used to stab it with needles and it would hurt when I tried to lay down. I'm glad that finally my face is much smoother on the sides, and thinned all over. The shadow and hair is no where near what it used to be. Like I went to subway earlier and a kid asked their dad "is that a boy or a girl". So if little kids can't tell what i am, and adults have trouble, i think the laser is working moderately. There is still a shadow though.

Quote from: Curious on May 18, 2018, 03:48:53 AM
Hello all, I have had 7 sessions of Diode laser so far on my face. They have been going subpar, but the results are still there. I've noticed that I seem to get varrying results in my laser treatment, and it's really upsetting. Last month marked my 6th session, and like 95% of my shadow was gone at the 2 week mark. Almost all of it. And then it came back and I had my 7th laser session. But it's at the 2 week mark, and I have a darker shadow this month than last month. Is this normal? I can't take a selfie without a 5oc shadow this month, but last month all my selfies were shadow-less. Also on my 4th session, I had decent results, but my 5th session I looked worse. I want to know if this is due to my laser sessions being flakey, or my natural cycles. I get my session every 4-5 weeks.

This 7th session, she seemed in a hurry and was like "I have someone after you". I immediately told her "Don't rush it please". And she did 1 pass over everything very dabby, like *poke poke poke* at my skin, and it only felt warm on like 3/4 of my face, and barely hurt on the jawline or anything, but she finished in no time. I've noticed her other clients seem to take forever as they chat and stuff behind the closed door.

To note, on the 6th session, I complained.  I sat in the waiting room half an hour, and my appointment was like 5 minutes late and I started complaining. But when I come in to get my face laserd she seems to go very fast and I'm out the door and money's gone. This time was different. She seemed to *turn it up* or something fishy, and it hurt a lot and I had AMAZING results that month, like I said. But last session (7th), felt nothing like that and I didn't get the same reaction.

Am I being scammed / played here? I want to know if my paranoia is justified. Is she purposely flaking out on quality, so that she can maximize profits from my return visits? Is it because I'm trans maybe? Anyone else experienced this?

I have had about 20 laser sessions on my face, about 8 genital, over the last 3 years. I have very little to no dark hair left...I have mainly vellous hair left now and have laser about every  3-4 months to tidy up anything that needs doing.

Laser results from session to session seem to vary as does the pain. It seemed to me that the more growth I had the more it hurt...clean shaven seemed to be the easiest but slightly longer hair seemed more effective removal but much more painful.

Hope that helps

Liz


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Thanks. I do look forward to the day that I just need touch ups.

Groupon is your friend.  Get a second provider.  I have three and an electrolysis provider.  They all have their benefits and you get the best of all treatment styles by diversifying.