How Do You Feel About Laser. Experience Anyone?

[Guest oogie292]

Right now I feel like it would be best if I did laser then electrolysis for clean up. Thoughts?

[Paula ult]

I started with laser to get rid of the dark hair, i had 10 sessions last year, i just completed a year of electrolysis to remove the white/gray hairs and any dark ones that came back, i still have at least another year to finish off the neck hairs, i barely have to shave my face, my neck i still do.

If you have a dark beard shadow, laser will remove the shadow faster so you do not have to worry about it, but laser is not listed as permanent, electrolysis is.

Paula

[Guest Lady.Violette]

If you have a dark beard shadow, laser will remove the shadow faster so you do not have to worry about it, but laser is not listed as permanent, electrolysis is.

Paula

Very weird Paula, the site Im reading from says the opposite. That Laser is permanent and electro isn't.

So whats the deal?

(SOURCE)

[Carolyn Marie]

The jury is still out for me and laser. I've gone through 7 sessions, and feel like the density of hair has been reduced at least 50

per cent, but not sure if it will get to 100 per cent, 80, 70, or what. I'm sure I'll have some white hairs to get rid of through

electro, but I think its been a good investment to start with LHR.

Carolyn Marie

[Carolyn Marie]

Very weird Paula, the site Im reading from says the opposite. That Laser is permanent and electro isn't.

So whats the deal?

(SOURCE)

My understanding of the treatments is the same as Paula's. In general, electrolysis is supposed to be more permanent.

Don't forget, Violette, that the source for your info is an LHR company. They are not exactly unbiased on the subject.

Carolyn Marie

[Guest Lady.Violette]

My understanding of the treatments is the same as Paula's. In general, electrolysis is supposed to be more permanent.

Don't forget, Violette, that the source for your info is an LHR company. They are not exactly unbiased on the subject.

Carolyn Marie

Well, yes.

That is true hihi

[Guest JackieP]

I constantly check on this as I hate electro - having to let hair grow prior, pain and swelling etc.,

but so far, info from non biased sites still show electro as the only permanent solution.

I should add, that even requires going over the same area more than once to get rid of growth permanently !

[Guest miss kindheart]

I went and did two laser sessions on my face, and it removed quite a bit of my facial hair.

There is only one place where I live that does it, and their machine broke down and after a long time they told me they didn't think they were gonna get it fixed.

I did lots of research and found that IPL (Intense pulsed light) Is now considered better than laser.

They also have a machine called Elight now, it is IPL+RF (radio frequency)

I ended up buying one, and am not sorry I did.

I have used it on my whole Body except mt head hair, and forearms.

It will do so many things

I do still have a few gray hair that I need to get removed by electrolysis though.

vanna

[Guest Kayliegh]

I have had four sessions of laser and a year of electro. The laser did get rid of 70% of the dark hairs - unfortunalty, I have many platinum blond hairs as well!

The electro takes a while and is painful. My electrologist started on the sides of my face before HRT and that went smoothly (no pun intended, but now she is doing the upper lip, chin and neck and it is not easy to bare!

If your facial hair is all dark, go with laser. The stragglers you can get with electro.

[Guest Miss_Construe]

The place I went here in Colorado (North-West suburb or Denver to be precise) was really great.

They explained that the FDA has only approved Laser hair removal for 'reduction' and not 'removal'. They pretty much explained everything I have read about laser hair removal, and a few tidbits to make the most of the experience. The sensation isn't exactly a york peppermint patty, but so far I am satisfied. Can tell you more in a few more sessions.

[Guest StaceyC]

I had really thick facial hair, i'd get a 1 o'clock shadow and have to shave twice a day sometimes. Anyway I've finished my 6th session of laser on my face and neck. A bit painful but a HUGE improvement. My beard is not a 100% gone yet. Probably about 90%. I'm guessing I'll need another 2 or 3 treatments. I'm not sure about it being permanent. I've heard the same as the other posts. But I my intention is to use the laser to get most of it as quickly as possible. It Then follow up with electro later as needed later. Your hair grows in cycles and it only kills the hair that is actively growing which is why it takes so many treatments regardless of you method.

[Guest chngnwnd]

Laser works well for me - four treatments and I don't need make up to pass if i am feeling lazy. The treatments do make me cry though.

Bobbi

[Guest sarah f]

I had laser done for about a year before starting electrolysis. I believe this is the way to go because laser gets rid of the hair faster.

[Guest Krisina]

So what do folks normally do then get the lase for a year, say 6 sessions, then switch over to electrolysis?

Laser being permanent hair reduction, and thinning of the beard. Is that to imply the hair won't grow back? That what ever hair has responded to the treatment is considered the hair reduction.

Trying to plan how I should go about this. Going to the laser treatments every 5 or 6 weeks I guess to get the next growth cycles of hair.

My preference if I could afford it would be electrolysis e3000 b

[Paula ult]

Krisina, i had 10 laser sessions, afrer the 7th laser session my dark hairs were just about gone, however being older i had allot of gray/white hairs that laser does not eliminate, so in addition to laser i started electrolysis, in the 17 months i have been doing electrolysis some dark hairs have returned and are being taken care of.

In my opinion if you have dark facial hair do laser first, it gave me a huge boost in confidence as far as passing, then finish the rest off with electrolysis.

Paula

[Sally]

I have had very little electrolysis because of extremely delicate skin I require a lower power than most want to use but I have a couple of small scars from those early treatments so when I need the clean up I am going to research the place I am going to use very carefully.

As to laser not being permanent I would look to the sources - Electro is 'old school' and accepted as being permanent while laser is the 'new kid on the block' so it has to fight for acceptance in a field where the 'old guard' is not really looking for new ideas.

An example of this sort of thing is the fact that after Dr.McGinn had opened her Papillon Center near Philadelphia the American Medical Association recognized Dr. Bowers as being the only Transsexual performing the SRS, why is that - Dr. Bowers is an MD (their schools) and Dr.McGinn is an OD (Osteopathic - the enemy camp) - rather petty and actually misinformation from a trusted orginazation.

I am having 5 laser sessions - number 3 is today, I am having good results and the operator is increasing the intensity on each session as the hairs are getting lighter in color and I have been exposed to the laser more - it is working well for me but the only reason that I decided to try was I had a coupon for 5 treatments on one area (my chin) for $99 - I had to try it!

We will see what happens to the lighter hairs, my technician says that it varies by individual but for some with pretty light skin (like me) a lot of the hairs with any color at all will be removed.

Love ya,

Sally

[Guest Arielle]

I love this idea

As to laser not being permanent I would look to the sources - Electro is 'old school' and accepted as being permanent while laser is the 'new kid on the block' so it has to fight for acceptance in a field where the 'old guard' is not really looking for new ideas.

Laser so far is working fine for me after 7 sessions. No it doesn't work for everyone, and the laser I'm having used on me is Alexandrite (currently the most advanced by FDA standards), and uses FM to make sure that the follicles die. The FDA won't say laser is permanent until some standard is met that I don't have knowledge of.

Sort of makes me wonder why laser (besides the above quote) is looked at so poorly when many many women have parts of their bodies done everyday and most of the time have no complaints if they follow the rather simple guidelines. No I can't go in the sun like I used to (not that I really used to anyway), but it doesn't bother me either. I wear more sunblock (all of us should), and keep hydrated. Right now with how hair is removed, you give up speed to keep the ability to tan. Or you do the opposite.

Laser destroys the melanin in the skin which is how you tan. I also know a woman in the same city as me whose had laser done 5 years ago when it was much newer and more expensive and not quite as good as it is now, and she has no complaints about the results.

[Guest Krisina]

Thanks for your posting posting oogie292 and everyone that responded too explaining stuff for me too.

Arielle postings are interesting. I didn't realize That the laser destroys the Melinin innthe skin that is what tans the skin. I wonder how long after laser treatments are done you can begin to tan again?

Paula ult's posting was interesting in that she said some dark hairs had returned, and that they were being treated with electrolysis.

[Drea]

I thought I would look to see if there was anything new in the discussion of laser hair removal. It appears that there is nothing new which is sad to say. Always I see:

1) Plenty of testimonials by people undergoing laser treatments or to recently have finished them where they claim great results.

2) Claims that new technology has resolved the problems of the past.

3) No testimonials from people who completed laser treatements many years earler.

Not having regrowth for a few months or even 6 months after treament doesn't mean much as far as permanent. There is no question that short term time frames laser can be effective plus or minue the light hairs. The question is about the long term. The permanence issue is about what happens years after. The complaint about laser has been the signficant regrowth that occurs a few years after the laser treatments are stopped.

I been hearing the new technology cliam resolving the past issues for over 10 years now. Where are the people who made the claim 5 years ago now to tell us that yes they didn't have significant regrowth?

The lack of testimonials by people who had their last laser treatment 3 years ago who are agreeing that it is permanent is, well interesting.

I know many who had laser (including myself). We all are essentially of the same opinion, yes it helped, but much of it came back after a few years.

A friend finished getting laser treatmetns in the past year. In 5 years either she will be able to say, yes it was permanent for her, or maybe her experience will be more typical. She is a near perfect candidate with pale skin and black hair so if anyone will have good results it will be her.

The best I come up with on laser is:

a.) Great for some quick results. So definitely good for a start even if long term all the hairs need to be eventually done with electro.

b.) Electro needed for lighter hairs and to deal with the regrowth over time.

c.) It probably knocks out a third of the hairs long term so may even be worthwhile from a absolute cost standpoint.

I am hoping things will change and technology will solve the problems. It is certainly much easier.

[Guest Miss_Construe]

The FDA is reported (by my laser tech) to have approved LHR for ~80% hair reduction. Their website may have some information. FDA Laser Facts

I also checked Consumer Reports

This site seems to compare some things Comparison from Vendor

I think suppliers would have information about FDA approval publicly available. According to the wording from the FDA they sites who manufacture the lasers (and the practitioners) can not claim hair reduction or removal unless the device is approved. However, the regrowth watch period is only 'longer than the treatment period.' That would indicate after treatment has ceased (which is what the FDA would stipulate, and require clear documentation of). Theoretically hair wouldn't grow back unless a hormonal change disrupted the steady state growth cycle.

While looking through the libraries online database I noticed that there is studies for laser hair reduction/ removal that nuance the wavelengths and do histological studies to determine the actual impacts on the follicle and the remaining tissue of the skin. Should be interesting. I don't really feel like doing it right now, but Google Scholar should have some of those articles (including at least abstracts) or even the manufacturers (Lots of places try to be sciencie about their products).

Hope that gives you some new information/ things to look into/ help deciding.

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jamie

[guest]

Laser is fast and cheaper... BUT there are a lot of yahoo's running around performing it. Make sure whoever you go to actually knows what they are doing. They can easily cause problems by zapping you with too high of settings or doing the same spot too much (and the results can actually cause scars!).

There are also things like intense light pulse treatments for body hair. Not really lasers, but they do a pretty good job of killing hair (at first you do it once every 2 weeks...and then down to months between treatments...and finally only needing it like once a year as upkeep). Again, you can end up burning the skin if you don't do it right or the machine malfunctions (this happened to me, the machine broke and little red crazy itchy bumps popped up all over... which left scarring on my legs, looks like tons of permanent bug bites o.O).

But, as long as you are careful or are getting it done by someone who knows their job... you should be ok. Take precautions and do the test patches first and all that other stuff.

For the face, laser tends to get rid of the darker hairs easier and faster, but you still need electrolysis for the white ones.

[Guest Elizabeth K]

Sadly, neither LASER nor Electrolysis are 100% successful.

Sally is using a 5 session LASER session and although she says she has results, her blond beard looks about the same to me after three sessions, but I cannot tell. The process is more complicated than most people think. Yet it seems quick. Her having electrolysis in the same area would be about $250, and may have had about the same results. She would have been paying about $750 - but she had a coupon.

Her beard is about average,

My beard is near non-existent (heritage) so I opted for electrolysis. I did my eyebrows and my mustache area - about 12 sessions at $55 each. It took about 80% off permanently. I would have been going back for about at least 20 more sessions (remember, not much beard) to get all my face done. I ran out of $$$... So that would have been about $1700. I think most spend at least $3000 or more - electrolysis. And it is not 100% - as the hair on the face tends to cycle every 7 years or so.

Either way - hair removal goes on for a long time.

I won't use LASER, a personal choice, unless they get it perfected. Electrolysis is primarily designed for lighter work on natal women, but I have a tolerance for pain and needles, so I will probably go back.

My option

Lizzy

[Sally]

Not having a tolerance for pain and needles and having scared from my first electrolysis session, I am going with the laser on this 5 visit coupon - it has pretty much removed the dark hairs in the first three sessions, each time she is raising the power level to get a bit more as my skin is developing a resistance to the laser - the first time she did a test and thought it was a bit more red than she liked so she backed it down - she has told me that for some extremely pale individuals like myself that a lot of lighter hairs will also be effected (but she has started widening the area covered so that I will not just be throwing away these last two sessions.

My next session is in one hour - got to go get ready.

Love ya,

Sally

[Guest little_sephy]

I've recently gotten a laser treatment, and I'm due for another 3 so far. Managed to get a great deal, I ended up only paying $585 up front for 4 laser sessions on all areas of my face and neck, including sideburns. It was kinda painful at first, but honestly it wasn't too rough. The WORST pain comes from the lip region...that can be kind of unbearable i did cry a little bit lol but it was sooooo worth it, even after just 1 laser session about 90% of my shadow just dissapeared after all the dead hairs started to shed off. I think laser is pretty effective for anyone looking for really quick results, and any hairs left over you can always get electrolysis for! Anyway, that's just my 2 cents