I'm planning to get laser [hopefully] soon & am going to contact a place tomorrow to set up a consultation. Finances are extremelyyy tight for me with student loan payments & typical expenses. But I think I can afford my lip + chin area for now & see how that goes before getting more done. The place I am looking into has payment plans & says they can work with any budget too.

I wanted to ask those who have had it, how their skin looked & reacted after each treatment? I am scared my skin will be red, swollen & crazy looking, because that might not go over so well at work & I definitely can't take time off. Also, can you still shave during the process? I really hope so cause me going out with facial hair would be a nightmare because I usually don't have that much trouble passing or at least appearing andro & with facial hair I'll look pretty odd.

My appointments are always after work, at say 6pm.


My face is usually a bit red for the rest of the night, blotchy in some places. It's not hideous, but it's noticeable that my skin is irritated. Two hours later it's usually a little less red but still noticeably irritated. The next morning I look as good as new.


It's important to note that everyone's skin reacts differently though, so your own experience may be better or worse.


It's important to go to a trained/specialist laser technician. I've read about some bad experiences with businesses that are primarily beauticians but have a laser out the back.


Also, having read much of the scientific literature when researching my own hair removal, it's clear to me that IPL is far less effective than laser for the majority of people. That does not mean that there aren't people who've had great results with IPL, but many many many more haven't. Given how short you are of money there's no point spending money only to be disappointed in the results.


All in all I've found laser has made a big, lasting difference to my facial hair.

Mine was very red and bumpy. It would last a day or two at most. Usually gone the next morning. Most laser techs will do a small test patch and see what sort of reaction you have to the laser, before diving in and doing any large portion of the body... especially your face.


It's recommended to shave prior to any laser treatment as the laser will penetrate deeper into the follicle, as less of the laser's energy will be absorbed/dissipated by any of the longer hair above the skin.

I forgot to mention: you can definitely shave in-between appointments.

Aye, I always need a couple of days of leaving it fallow after a laser session before shaving, otherwise ouch!