So today I *finally* went to a consultation with a laser hair removal center (they do other things too, but that's how I think of them). I had wanted to go last week or so, but my car was giving me trouble. Now it's not and I went.

For those of you living in the Pennsylvania/Maryland area, this is where I'm going:

http://www.seedoctord.com/pages/index.php

This place doesn't specialize in hair removal or anything, but the person I spoke to today does. She's been doing it for ten years and seemed extremely knowledgeable about the entire process. I didn't mention to her my reasons over the phone, but when I went, I told her that I was a male-to-female transsexual and she was very accepting of that. The reaction didn't surprise me, as I wasn't nervous about confessing such a thing. I guess I had a feeling about how she would react upon my first impression of her.

The doctor's name is Fawn Pool. Well, she's not a doctor either, but it's kind of hard not to call her that. She's just a "medical assistant"...whatever that means. To me, if you can run a laser machine that removes someone's body hair, then you're doing something a doctor does. That's just how I think.

Anyways, there are a few things to mention as long as it's in my head for those of you who are interested.

-The quote I received was three hundred dollars per session. I found that to be reasonable.

-We came to the conclusion that I would be going in every four weeks or so and would need about ten sessions.

-The words "pain threshold" were mentioned and I had to admit that I have no idea how much I can take. I've never really been tested. Off the top of my head, I think I can take a lot if it means I can get what I'm going for.

-Given that I'm going to be doing this every month, it seems unlikely that I will be seeing a gender counselor in the fall or spring semesters. Which is okay by me. I still have lots of weight to lose and I've only just started. I feel like I can afford to wait.

-My first session is September 4th at 9 AM. Assuming that what I've been told pans out, then I'll finish up around June of 2010. Unless I can find a source of income greater than that which I anticipate having at present.

How much does $300 remove?

My facial hair removal costs about third of that per session.  This is with a nice lady named Robin at the Aesthetic spa in Green Bay who has the most modern machine I am aware of, has clients driving several hundred miles to see her, and is strongly recommended by the transgender group I go to. 

I strongly recommend you do a price check for your area.

Best of luck,
Galantha

Actually, I have no idea "how much" is being removed per session. I'm not against doing a price check, but I'm also of the opinion that you get what you pay for...ie, if it's more expensive, you're probably getting better service. I've found this to be very true for health issues.

Quote from: Kara on August 07, 2009, 03:09:23 PM
Actually, I have no idea "how much" is being removed per session. I'm not against doing a price check, but I'm also of the opinion that you get what you pay for...ie, if it's more expensive, you're probably getting better service. I've found this to be very true for health issues.

I mentioned this on another thread... I am going to start at a place that charge $1400 with a two years worth of threatment.  Any removal sesion during that time is $$0.00 and after only $40.00 a session with the newest high tech equipment.  Best thing is the 0% financing over 1 year.  ( 12 months @ $117 and that gets you essentially 24 sessions)

You might want to check around...

D

until recently $300 per session seemed to be the going rate. I've seen considerably lower prices than $300 per session but I opted to choose a plan that covered me for 2 years as well and paid about $3000 (neck and face were seperate for me ). I figured it was worth the price since I compared it to 10, $300 sessions (which is really only 5 sessions if you break it down to face and neck like my pricing does) plus anythign else I may need (figured i'd come out ahead overall).

if you can find a per-session-price cheaper than $300 go for it, otherwise i'd try to get under a plan like daiybelle and I have.

---

Post Merge: August 07, 2009, 07:49:41 PM

---

oh, to answer some of the questions.

as far as "how much" hair is removed in 1 session, your mileage may vary, but they definately treat the entire beard area each time and don't concentrate on one area.

the pain threshold is often compared to a rubber band snapped on your face. it's a little bit more heat than snap for me, but the worst of the pain is over in an instant - just in time for the next ZAP. once the sessions is over, you might feel something similar to a sunburn.

some food for thought on the counselor topic though, if you aren't on AA then you are likely to have more regrowth of facial hair than if you are on some kind of AA. it might be a good idea to try and get that workign as well so you can get the best results from what you are going to be paying quite a lot of money for

Hi Kara,

Is that full body for $300?  If not, that's way steep $$$ for just face.. at least from my experience with laser hr.   Never hurts to shop around.  A great resource is your local TG/TS support group(s), they might be able to recommend economical, but effective laser therapists in the area.

And I agree with  beth~chella on the AA recommendation if you are going that route with your life.   I wouldn't even do any hair removal except your face until on the anti-androgens for a period of time (12 months?).   Personally I found spiro had wonderful results for body hair reduction. (just my reaction, others don't find that).

*huggs*,
Melan

I don't know what AA is.   

But yeah, face and neck are included. Mine grows fast and I've got a lot. I was also told the rates will decrease with time as there will be less and less to do every session.

AA = anti-androgen

Quote from: LordKAT on August 08, 2009, 09:33:10 AM
AA = anti-androgen

I'm really nervous about taking any medication that could have unwanted side effects...I wonder who I would talk to about that.....

I'm so happy for you! Isn't that feeling of progress just wonderful? I know you are skittish about medicine, but you might want to arrange some vicodin. It really does help. I went to my first session medicated and second without, and it was a completely different and way more painful experience. Most doctors will let go of a few pills at a time without much begging and you'll be happy to have it.

I found ibuprofen to be very effective as a medication.  However, I had also requested that the person conducting the treatment conduct it as a low power setting as possible to reduce my allergic reaction to it.

I would definitely recommend some sort of pain medication.  The pain was more then I expected.

-- Galantha

Quote from: Galantha on August 08, 2009, 02:31:35 PM
I found ibuprofen to be very effective as a medication.  However, I had also requested that the person conducting the treatment conduct it as a low power setting as possible to reduce my allergic reaction to it.

I would definitely recommend some sort of pain medication.  The pain was more then I expected.

-- Galantha

I had come to the same conclusion myself. I don't believe in pain medication on principle, but I don't want any surprises either.

Also, I've decided to visit the university's medical doctor this coming week to see if he can give me any info on AA's. I did some checking on my own and I'm on the fence about it. 

ibuprofen works well enough for me too, some of the first times I used ice to sorta numb the area, it seemed to help a little at first, but only for half of the face, hehehe.

when I brought up AAs, I totally meant to speak to your doctor about, so you are doing the right thing to have all your options available.