I guess that laser is the way I'm going to start my facial hair removal and I'm
just wondering how bad my skin is going to look the first few days
after each treatment. I've heard a variety of answers on hair removal forums
but most are not TS and doing the whole face.

Will there be gasps of horror or is it just going to be a little red?

If I do it on a Friday morning will I be OK by Monday?

Amanda

Quote from: Ashley Michelle on March 24, 2008, 01:53:39 PM
my first time i did whole face and neck and then went to class two hours later.  told everyone it was an allergic reaction.  i looked puffy and red until the next day

they get better as you go along.  i'm barely even red now by the time i drive home, and aside from a bit of puffiness on the upper lip the next day, a couple of hours later its barely noticeable

thanks for the info ashley  as iam begining to look into   laser myself too

That is awesome, I was thinking I was going to look hideous. Were you able to shave in the days after?

I had laser hair removal on my whole face. It was sore and red for the rest of the day. The redness subsided the next day, but my face was still tender for two or three days after that. The first time shaving after laser is not a fun experience.  Thankfully though, I've been through enough treatments now that I don't need to shave for a week, and even then it's just a few stray hairs.

Good luck!

Quote from: AlwaysAmanda on March 24, 2008, 01:50:41 PM
I guess that laser is the way I'm going to start my facial hair removal and I'm
just wondering how bad my skin is going to look the first few days
after each treatment.

I reacted badly to the first 3-4 treatments. The more hair you have, the more likely are side-effects (and the more pain). After those first sessions, I'd have weeping, even bleeding wounds here and there for a couple days. The redness at least faded within an hour, but I had what I can call "bruises" (dime-sized red spots) throughout my cheeks and neck for a week+.

Without DermaBlend, I looked really bad. I was terrified the damage was permanent, but... I kept going, I was THAT desperate.

By session 5 or so, I was just red for an hour or so... and that was about it.

But again, my reaction was fairly unusual from what I hear.

OK, if you REALLY wanna know.. this is the day after session #1 (two years ago):

Honestly my face was only really red after about 2 hours. After that it was only slightly noticable. I stopped after 4 sessions because I didn't think I was getting results. I don't know if the laser was on "full zap" but it sure hurt like hell. But, now I am seeing a few clear spots here and there but overall it doesn't warrent another $350 gamble.

Thanks for the replies everyone. It sounds like for most it's not something that is
a big deal.

But Kate OMG!!! That looks like it hurt! How far apart were your treatments?

Quote from: AlwaysAmanda on March 25, 2008, 09:14:42 AM
But Kate OMG!!! That looks like it hurt! How far apart were your treatments?

It was... uncomfortable

We spaced treatments about 6 weeks apart if I remember, using a LightSheer laser. I probably did a dozen sessions overall, although it got kinda pointless after 8 or so. But my wife has refused electro for me, and I get obsessive about getting "just those few last hairs..."

It worked great though. Everything healed. The hairs are gone, aside from a few dark strays and a couple dozen grays (darn it).

One tidbit: before you go in, turn on the A/C in your car and make sure every vent you have is pointed at your face, lol. You WILL appreciate it when you go to leave

~Kate~

Thanks for the tip on the A/C, maybe I should start drinking a couple of
hours before too LOL.

Quote from: AlwaysAmanda on March 25, 2008, 09:44:19 AM
Thanks for the tip on the A/C, maybe I should start drinking a couple of
hours before too LOL.

Actually, I DID make a point to drink a LOT of water before I went, just to be sure my skin was as hydrated as possible. Because laser will suck every last drop of moisture from your face.

I also took Aloe and an old towel with me. When I got back in the car, I'd slather it on for some relief and to get some moisture back. You'll need the towel to blot off the looser burnt hairs, and then to wipe the aloe off your hands so you can drive.

I also had a couple bags of ice in the freezer waiting for me

~Kate~

One thing to make sure of, is that the clinic you're going to has a good track record with laser hair removal. At least in the US they are popping up every day, and not all of them have fully trained staff. Ask them about the dangers, risks and best way to handle the treatment. The staff should be knowledgeable, and not try to sell you the laser treatment.

Good advice from everyone.  Thanks to Amanda for starting this thread!

Mine was a bit swollen and sore after the first session. I have a follow up this week, so let's see how this one goes. It was definitely a painful session when she got to the upper lip, without any numbing. Got some cream for this session.

ive had two treatments... after the first my face was red for about a day and felt like a mild sunburn... the hart part was that for the first week i couldnt get a close shave. my skin was kind of bumpy and the hairs seemed blunted...  then as the hairs started to fall out i was patchy.. i had to make sure to shave before work because of the unusual pattern. as the hair kept falling out i was left with mostly go-tee hair left... but still kinda weird around the edges... im about two weeks after the second treatment and i still have the chin hairs.... but the hairs from the second treatment are just starting to fall out... my cheeks and my upper lip are getting very smooth with no shadow... so it is working... but be prepared to look a little different for awhile.

also at about week  two after my first treatment my face had a little swelling... not really noticable, but with the hair being hard to shave and a little swelling through my beard area i had a case of MAN FACE! i looked more manly then i ever did before!  i totally panicked and was really depressed about it.  thank God that every thing is moving in the other direction... im very pleased with the results so far.

I've had four laser treatments, and I've never really had any horrible face lookings after.  I don't really have a lot of facial hair, so that could be why, but I'm not really sure.  My laser tech has done 3 full power sessions on me and yes, they hurt bad haha.  But actually my face is only a little red afterwards, like someone rubbed it too much or something.  It feels like it's on fire for like the day, but the day after, my face was back to normal and didn't look or feel bad at all. 

Quote from: beth06 on March 30, 2008, 08:37:41 PM
ive had two treatments... after the first my face was red for about a day and felt like a mild sunburn... the hart part was that for the first week i couldnt get a close shave. my skin was kind of bumpy and the hairs seemed blunted...  then as the hairs started to fall out i was patchy.. i had to make sure to shave before work because of the unusual pattern. as the hair kept falling out i was left with mostly go-tee hair left... but still kinda weird around the edges... im about two weeks after the second treatment and i still have the chin hairs.... but the hairs from the second treatment are just starting to fall out... my cheeks and my upper lip are getting very smooth with no shadow... so it is working... but be prepared to look a little different for awhile.

also at about week  two after my first treatment my face had a little swelling... not really noticable, but with the hair being hard to shave and a little swelling through my beard area i had a case of MAN FACE! i looked more manly then i ever did before!  i totally panicked and was really depressed about it.  thank God that every thing is moving in the other direction... im very pleased with the results so far.

Oh great! I don't need MAN FACE LOL... good info thanks!

Posted on: March 30, 2008, 08:16:22 PM

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Quote from: shanetastic on March 30, 2008, 08:51:51 PM
I've had four laser treatments, and I've never really had any horrible face lookings after.  I don't really have a lot of facial hair, so that could be why, but I'm not really sure.  My laser tech has done 3 full power sessions on me and yes, they hurt bad haha.  But actually my face is only a little red afterwards, like someone rubbed it too much or something.  It feels like it's on fire for like the day, but the day after, my face was back to normal and didn't look or feel bad at all. 

I can only hope that is how it will be for me But I'm guessing it will be worse How much of your hair is gone
after 4 sessions?

Hope things are going better for you today

ummm, my lip is pretty much cleared, about 75% of my neck, and probably like 60% of the side/chin.  I'm going to go with electro now because I don't think laser can do much more for me since my hair is blonde now.  I shave like probably every week or week and a half, so the hair grows slow now as well, but I don't know if laser or hormones did that.  Or maybe both contributed toward it.  I also didn't get ideal results from laser though because I didn't have the darkest hair, and HRT lightened some of it before I started laser unfortunately.

Thanks to Amanda for the thread.

I too have been looking into laser treatment, because I do have a dark beard.  The info here was helpful and informative.  I realize that prices vary but can anyone give my a rough cost per session.

Thanks Janet

Your welcome

I've been quoted $200 - $300 per session but I'm sure it is location dependent. Most tell you you need 5 or 6
sessions.

I've found prices on the web lower than that too.

Amanda

I just had my first, ok that day but sensitive the next, and i foolishly tried to shave today; couldnt get close shave but could irritate the skin real good. ughhhh. oh well, nothing for it but to go back in 6 weeks!