Jump to content
  • Welcome to the TransPulse Forums!

    We offer a safe, inclusive community for transgender and gender non-conforming folks, as well as their loved ones, to find support and information.  Join today!

I had my first laser hair treatment today


Guest Melissa~

Recommended Posts

Guest Melissa~

Full face done at Bodyaesthetic. They have a nice staff there, the nurse that performed the entire treatment seemed to have plenty of experience and handled everything treatment related herself. This initial treatment session lasted an hour, 15 minutes of which was consultation that won't be repeated, there was also some time to determine the highest setting I could tolerate.

The initial electrolysis work on my upper lip was beneficial, in that the laser had less there to zap, it caused less pain than I might expect.

The pain in the end is quite bad, :blowup:

I have to say listening to the hairs pops like popcorn under the gel is pretty cool :score: ,

feeling them pop like popcorn in your skin not so much :hairpull: .

As expected redness from the session faded quite fast but the bumps have not. About the bumps, it has now been eleven hours, and the bumps that made me look approximately like an ear of corn post treatment have given way to more generalized low level swelling. The skin is moderately sore some areas, and worse in others. There is a bit of sensitivity around the margins of my lips indicating slight burning there.

The machine counted 1124 zaps, six different intensities(several right at the beginning), it boils down to 1 setting for the face and 1 for the neck that's in my chart for next time assuming the treated hairs shed out as expected.

I am not their only TS patient, there is another getting treatments currently there.

Link to comment
Guest Melissa~

It's been 31 hours since treatment, and it's finaly bedtime. I have numerous bumps and swelling still. I'm at 33 hours sisnce I got up. The conversion back to day schedule is brutal. gnight

:bedtime:

Link to comment
Guest angels wings

Wow what an experience sounds soooooo painful . Glad ur feeling better hopefully today u wake up refreshed with no pain .

Link to comment
Guest Melissa~

Indeed a good nights sleep is an amazing restorer, my face it still slightly swollen and bumpy, but I'm shaving anyhow... Good morning.

Link to comment

Melisssa

You might have a chat with your doctor about a topical corticosteroid cream to reduce the swelling in a precription strength. It has helped me a bunch. Kathryn

Link to comment
Guest Melissa~

Bodyaesthetic gave me a sample of prescription cortisone cream . I used it after treatment and still had that reaction.

I should use this opportunity to provide one week later feedback. I still have a few swollen bumps, the same small areas show discoloration. Basically the skin just plain got overcooked there. On the other hand there is hardy a single hair even emerging in the over cooked areas. I have had some hairs shed out, nothing significant yet. Plenty of hairs are irritated and seem to be difficult to shave. I need to see a lot more shedding out to have any faith in this treatment. One area that seems to have only minimal treatment effects is my upper lip, as mentioned above it wasn't too bad, my lip had been entirely cleared with electrolysis before, surely that's not a detriment to laser treatment. I'm 5 weeks out from my next laser treatment

Link to comment
  • 2 weeks later...
Guest Melissa~

At the three week mark, the effective removal seems to be 90% on the treated area. There are some interesting patterns where it's apparent the treatment didn't hit :doh1: , I will point these out to the nurse next time. The upper lip area had limited efficacy, around 40% for it, and that is VERY frustrating. Anyway there should be ample oppurtunity for the next batch of hair to get growing in the next three weeks before the next treatment.

Link to comment
  • 3 weeks later...
Guest Melissa~

2nd appointment was this afternoon, The pain was lower, there are many fewer bumps. The tech turned up my setting to "70" joules for the upper lip, a 9% increase over treatment 1. Plenty of popping and zapping, smoking still going on from various hairs under the laser.

Since immediate post treatment effects are lower I expect that to carry through the next few days.

Can't wait for more hair to shed out!

Link to comment
  • 2 weeks later...
Guest KarenLyn

Indeed a good nights sleep is an amazing restorer, my face it still slightly swollen and bumpy, but I'm shaving anyhow... Good morning.

Shaving? I wish I could remember the type of laser used for my treatments. After treatments, there wasn't anything to shave for days and no hairs to "shed". After a treatment, I used an astringent soaked gauze to remove the "soot" from my face. I was only red for 30-40 minutes and there weren't any bumps/swelling.

It makes me wonder what they're selling these days.

Just my opinion,

Karen

Link to comment
Guest Melissa~

Check the posts dates, I shaved three days after the procedure, yes hairs were emerging. My original post was at 1 in the morning day after( I was still calling it the same day. )

The hairs that I shed post laser are nearly 1/4 long from under then skin, it's very deep rooted hair. If it was turned all the way to soot under the skin I think there might be a problem... I go into the procedure fully/closely shaved, there was very little "soot", post procedure, most of it was wiped away at the office.

With my very deep rooted hair(1/4" below the skin) is likely a significant reason why my shaving shadow is highly unsatisfactory, even with hair shaved off clean.

Link to comment
Guest LizMarie

Deeply rooted hair does indeed cause the beard shadow effect. This weekend I expect my electrologist to finish the initial clearing of the upper lip. Areas that are cleared have to have followup care, of course, as successive waves of hairs begin their growth cycles but already most of the lip is fairly free of beard shadow and it's a liberating feeling. I've got months to go but I'm already thinking about makeup in terms of simply highlighting my good features rather than using it as a covering mechanism. And I can eventually see being able to go mostly makeup free if I choose, something totally impossible right now. Getting rid of the facial hair is a very happy thing, at least for me. I hope it it for you too, Melissa. You're lucky that laser is an option for you!

Link to comment

I've also found that if I head right home after electrolysis and ice down the treated area, I have so much less swelling from the treatment and less irritation to. I like to wait until the next morning to shave even though I detest all the facial hair. My skin just isn't ready to run a razor over it, hence ice and shaving the next morning.

Kathryn

Link to comment
Guest Lizzie McTrucker

My face would get iced down immediately following a laser treatment and I wasn't allowed to leave until my face had cooled off. Once we were finished zapping, my tech would go to the freezer and get an ice pack and I'd bury my face in it at first and then hold it on areas of my face until the ice pack warmed up (didn't take very long). The she'd get another one and I'd continue holding it on various areas of my face. It took about 10-15 minutes to ice my face down and then she'd let me go. Then I'd hop in the car and rub aloe sunburn gel on my face, that usually helped too.

Then we'd go get ice cream. Of course I wouldnt run in to get it, we'd go through the McDonald's drive thru and I'd lean back in the passenger seat so noone saw me and my red, swollen face.

Link to comment
Guest WendyJean

My second one is coming up soon. Recently I've noticed a major texture change, it is easier to shave, and it gets closer.

My advice, use moisturizer every morning, it has a SPF and is good for the skin.

Link to comment
Guest LizMarie

I'm doing electrolysis because of hair color and texture and I'm also noticing slow but steady skin changes. My electrologist is nearly done with the upper lip and both cheeks have had an initial clearing and both those areas are already softer and show almost no hint of beard stubble. It's pretty obvious when you look too as the chin and neck clearly have that blue/black shadow look (even though about 50% of my facial hair is grey).

My electrologist has been urging me to use a moisturizer with an SPF as well to protect the healing skin from the sun and to promote healing. Personally I've been using Gold Bond Healing with Aloe in the evenings before bed and a generic moisturizer with SPF during the day.

Link to comment

I'm picking up a couple ice paks tonight. Not icing my face down has resulted in a badly swollen right cheek. I've got a couple comments today at work. Usually I go right home and get ice on my face and it make a real nice difference in reducing the swelling. Yesterday I ran some errands after my electrolysis appointment and it was 3 hours after my treatment before I got ice on my face.

Between my face and some chest development this week. I've also made the mistake of wearing a form fitting shirt to work today. I'm feeling pretty self conscious at work right about now and it's not a very comfortable feeling either. One more hour, just one more hour........... Kathryn

Link to comment

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Who's Online   1 Member, 0 Anonymous, 116 Guests (See full list)

    • Betty K
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      80.6k
    • Total Posts
      768k
  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      12,015
    • Most Online
      8,356

    Quillian
    Newest Member
    Quillian
    Joined
  • Today's Birthdays

    1. Bowie Ellis
      Bowie Ellis
      (19 years old)
    2. Damien Mcknight
      Damien Mcknight
      (18 years old)
    3. JJ
      JJ
      (77 years old)
    4. KathyLauren
      KathyLauren
      (70 years old)
    5. memyselfandwe
      memyselfandwe
      (44 years old)
  • Posts

    • Sally Stone
      Post 6 “The Military Career Years” In 1977 I joined the Army and went to flight school to become a helicopter pilot.  To fly for the military had been a childhood dream and when the opportunity arose, I took advantage of it, despite knowing I would have to carefully control my crossdressing activity.  At the time, military aviation was male dominated and a haven for Type A personalities and excessive testosterone.  I had always been competitive but my personality was not typically Type A.  And while I could never be considered effeminate, I wasn’t overtly masculine either.  Consequently, I had little trouble hiding the part of my personality that leaned towards the feminine side.    However, serving in the Army limited my opportunities for feminine self-expression.  During this period, I learned that being unable to express my feminine nature regularly, led to frustration and unhappiness.  I managed these feelings by crossdressing and underdressing whenever I could.  Underdressing has never been very fulfilling for me, but while I was in the Army it was a coping mechanism.  I only cross-dressed in private and occasionally my wife would take me out for a late-night drive.  Those drives were still quite private, but being out of the house was clearly therapeutic.    I told myself I was coping, but when it became apparent the Army was going to be a career, the occasional and closeted feminine expression was clearly inadequate.  I needed more girl time and I wanted to share my feminine side with the rest of the world, so the frustration and unhappiness grew.  Despite my feelings regarding feminine self-expression, I loved flying, so I wasn’t willing to give up my military career.  Consequently, I resigned myself to the fact that the female half of my personality needed to take a back seat, and what helped me through, was dreaming of military retirement, and finally having the ability to let Sally blossom.   About Sally. Ironically, she was born while I was still serving.  It was Halloween and my wife and I were hosting a unit party.  I looked upon the occasion as the perfect excuse to dress like a girl.  After a little trepidation, my wife agreed I should take advantage of the opportunity.  Back then, my transformations were not very good, but with my wife’s help, my Halloween costume looked quite authentic.  Originally, my wife suggested that my presentation should be caricature to prevent anyone from seeing through my costume.  But that didn’t appeal to me at all.  I wanted to look as feminine and ladylike as I could.   To my wife’s and my amazement, my costume was the hit of the party.  In fact, later in the evening, my unit buddies decided they wanted to take me out drinking and before either me or my wife could protest, I was whisked away and taken to one of our favorite watering holes.  Terrified at first, I had an amazing time, we all did.  But on Monday morning, when I came to work, I learned that I had a new nickname; it was Sally, and for the duration of that tour, that’s what I was called.  Well, when it came time for me to choose a feminine name, there weren’t any other choices.  Sally it was, and to this day I adore the name, and thank my pilot buddies for choosing it.   And this brings me to my last assignment before retiring.  I was teaching military science in an Army ROTC program at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia.  I had been a member of TRIESS (a nationwide crossdressing support group).  I wasn’t really an active participant but when we moved to Georgia, I learned there was a local chapter in Atlanta.  I reached out to the membership chair person, and joined.   Because the chapter meetings took place in Atlanta, a trans friendly city, and because Atlanta was so far from Macon and any of my military connections, I felt it would be safe to let my feminine hair down.  The monthly meetings took place in the Westin Hotel and Conference Center in Buckhead, an upscale northern Atlanta suburb, and the hotel itself was 4-star.  The meetings were weekend affairs with lots of great activities that allowed me to express myself in a public setting for the first time.  It was during this time, that Sally began to blossom.   I have the fondest memories of Sigma Epsilon (the name of our chapter in Atlanta).  Because the hotel was also a conference center, there was always some big event, and in many cases, there were several.  One weekend there was a nail technician conference that culminated in a contest on Saturday evening.  When the organizers learned there was a huge group of crossdressers staying at the hotel, they reached out to us looking for manicure volunteers.  I volunteered and got a beautiful set of long red fingernails that I wore for the duration of the weekend.   During another of our meeting weekends, there was a huge military wedding taking place, and imagine what we were all thinking when we learned it was a Marine wedding.  Our entire group was on edge worrying we might have to keep a low profile.  It turned out to be one of the most memorable weekends I would experience there.  First off, the Marines were all perfect gentlemen.  On Friday night and throughout the day on Saturday before the wedding, we rubbed elbows with most of them and their wives in and around the hotel, and at the hotel bar.  In fact, we got along so well the bride invited us to the reception.  Somewhere, there is a picture of me with a handsomely dressed Marine draped on each of my arms, standing in the lobby of the hotel.  Sadly, I never got a copy of it because the woman who took the picture used a film camera (yes, they actually took picture that way in ancient times).    My two-years with Sigma Epsilon was the perfect transition.  I went from being fully closeted to being mostly out.  I enhanced my feminine presentation and significantly reduced my social anxiety.  It also signified the end of one life and the beginning of another.  I had a great career and never regretted serving, but I was ready to shed the restrictions 20-years of Army service had imposed on my feminine self-expression.  My new life, Sally’s life, was about to begin, and with it I would begin to fully spread a new set of wings, this time feminine wings.    Hugs, Sally
    • Sally Stone
      Ashley, for a very long time she clung to the term crossdresser, because for her it was less threatening.  Over the years, though, she has come to recognize and acknowledge that I have a strong feminine side.  And like me, she now has a much better understanding of where my transgender journey is going, so me being bigender, isn't the threat she might have perceived it as, years ago. 
    • Carolyn Marie
      https://apnews.com/article/title-ix-sexual-assault-transgender-sports-d0fc0ab7515de02b8e4403d0481dc1e7   The revised regulations don't touch on trans athletes; which I totally understand, as that's become a third rail issue and this is an election year.  But the other changes seem pretty sensible, and will obviously result in immediate right wing lawsuits.   Carolyn Marie
    • missyjo
      darling you have wonderful taste..I especially love the red dress n sneaker outfit   enjoy   missy
    • Carolyn Marie
      Very well said, @Abigail Genevieve, and very true.  Thank you.   Carolyn Marie
    • Susan R
      Trans Group Zoom Meeting Tomorrow!!   Trans Group Zoom Meeting Times: April 20, 2024 6:00 PM Pacific Time April 20, 2024 8:00 PM Central Time April 21, 2024 11:00 AM Australia/Melbourne   Message me for the meeting link if you’d like to attend.   *Hugs* Susan R🌷
    • Susan R
      They may win a few battles but not the war! as @Davie pointed out there is little truth if it full of lies, inconsistencies, and ignores evidence to the contrary. I saw this article earlier and have to agree here. Truth will win. This isn’t the first time this tactic has been tried. Always stick with the truth!
    • Susan R
      Welcome @violet r! Glad you joined our forum and got through the hardest part…that first post. As many have mentioned, we are more than accepting here as we affirm your gender identity and hold no judgement, whatsoever. There’s so much here on this forum, I think you’ll find very helpful. If you have trouble finding an answer just reach out, try the search but starting a new thread is usually best to get some quick answers. Many are here for various transgender related issues but many, if not all, are here to help one another if we can. It’s great to have you onboard.   Warmest Regards, Susan R🌷
    • Willow
      good evening   good day at work today.  I did do some things a little out of normal but everything was completed successfully.  As I said earlier, the Asst Mgr was my second today.  I don’t think she was too happy about that.  Several customers asked her where Richard was her answer was the manager cut his hours.  Well that is only part of the story,  his hours were cut just like mine were and several others but in his case he made demands about his hours that couldn’t be met.  But instead of making some non complaining remark about it she made sure to lay it all on the manager, thus throwing the manager under the bus.  Similarly when asked why she hadn’t been at work early mornings, she said she was being punished by the manager.  Well that’s partly true, she wouldn’t do what the manager told her to do so she took her off opening.  But secondarily she didn’t have a car to drive temporarily.  You can’t open the store without a car because who ever opens has tasks that require them to leave the store, so it was  at least partly her own fault.  But she chose to throw the manager under the bus for that.  I think she is asking to be fired for insubordination.  And if the manager gets these conversations off the security tape tomorrow she just might get her wish.   im pretty close to being ready to take the asst position but there isn’t anyone ready to take over my job, at least not at our store.  I suppose the other shift lead could if she is able to work earlier shifts and if the other closers were just a bit more reliable.   Ive been wanting some homefried chicken.  We found a BBQ place not far away that had such a chicken but I is made fresh when ordered so it has a 30 minute wait.  It was worth the wait and the other things we tried were also good.  Another restaurant on the list.  At least half of what we ordered came home for another meal.   i get to sleep in tomorrow, I go to work at 1:30!   Willow
    • Abigail Genevieve
      It was nine thirty.  Saturday morning had rolled around more quickly than Taylor could believe.  She groaned, whined, thought of a million excuses why she should just stay in bed and knock the alarm across the room.  But it would still be going on, and so would the promise to Bob: when the gi came in, she would be in. There it was in its nice package, out where she could not miss it.  Why didn't she hide it?  She shook her head.   Up she got.  Sometimes you just do.  Her hair was a wreck. She patted it down and went to the bathroom.  Nine forty five. Shower later. No make up. She hated kara-tay especially at an ungodly early hour on a Saturday morning. Bagel. Instant coffee.  She was five minutes away when she realized she had forgotten the gi.  Back she went.   Into the dojo.  She had about five minutes to get the gi on.  She attempted to slip in unnoticed and go to the little restroom. Someone barked something out in Japanese or something, and there was a dead silence.  She turned to see what was going on. Both classes were getting into their lines, but everyone, including Bob, was bowing slightly. To her. Bob nodded, and she returned the bow.  Life started again. She was touched.   Bowing three times. Oath. Kata.  She was facing off with Judy as her partner.  Judy looked worried.   "Sometimes you just gotta pick yourself up and try again," Taylor told her. She nodded. "Let's do this."   Lunge punch and lower block.  They traded off like nothing had happened the last weekend.  Lunge punch and middle block. Lunge punch and upper block.  It was kind of like dancing. Taylor enjoyed it.  She wanted to learn more.  Brown-belt Maggie adjusted position of limbs and hips for both Taylor and Judy, telling them when she was about to do something: elbow up a bit".    "How'd you do?" Bob asked her later.  They had both gone home and showered. Now they were in a booth at a fast food place.   "I was kind of disappointed class ended. I was ready for more."   "That's my trooper."   "I'm not allowing you in my apartment until we are married," she said suddenly.   "You think I am a problem?"   "No.  I think you are safe. You passed the test  I am the problem here."   "Okay."   "What did the doctor tell you?"   "It's complicated.  More tests coming.  Like getting into college.  I got a letter back.  It seems there is this big fat M on my transcript and my current picture is not an M type picture.  I have to write a letter and send them notarized proofs and stuff. Just delays. This is a pain. Nothing cut and dried."   "I will say.  I'm glad I'm not transgender."   "Hah. You are pulled into my world.  You are involved in this stuff as much as I am, and, as you put it, of your own free will."   "You are worth it."   "I hope so."   "I know so."      
    • Abigail Genevieve
      On the way back to her desk she was interrupted by six short, urgent conversations that had to be attended to. Then she slipped into the women's room and locked the stall door.  She took a deep breath, then another, and allowed herself to shake for five minutes,  Then deep breathing, ten in and ten out, stretch up, touch the floor, neck rolls and she was fine. She used the toilet and a woman knocked and said, "Taylor, are you okay?"   "Ready to conquer the world!"  on her way out she found her makeup was fine.  Three stalls, two sinks.  If she ever designed a women's room with three stalls, there would be four sinks, with plenty of space to plunk your stuff down between them.   She met a deferential Karen.  "Here is the branding I came up with," she said.  And she went back to working as hard as Brenda and Mary, who looked up worriedly and then went back to the proposal.   Shortly before 5:00 she received an email with the title Consolidation and Compensation.  In it she learned that the position of office manager was eliminated, and the current office manager was to become the chief executive officer. The former CEO, along with the CFO, the chief legal officer, and sundry staff, had been terminated, per the Board of Directors.  Effective immediately everyone would receive a base salary of $20,000 with a commission to be set by the individual's supervisor.  Each supervisor would be given a certain percentage to distribute.  Most functions they had been handled would be outsourced as needed.   "The question of what profit was made last year is frequent enough to be answered.  The company lost over 500,000 in fiscal 2023.  At this point further cuts are not anticipated.  We will be strategically adding positions that will enhance our profits. Hard work is expected of everyone."   Her two web guys had been complaining because their games had been remotely uninstalled.  After the memo came out they were absolutely silent.  That gave her an idea, and after an exchange of emails they were reassigned to maintenance out at the plant, effective tomorrow morning.  There were lots of weeds that needed pulling, if nothing else. That email went out after they left early, for the day.  The maintenance foreman was a no-nonsense type who did not tolerate slacking, and they would learn a thing or two.  This also freed up two spaces for her to put new people.
    • MaeBe
      So…I didn’t know your Facebook avatar was public. So, on my birthday, a couple people used a group avatar message to wish me a happy birthday…and now my Facebook friends can see a short video of my female avatar dancing with an old friend’s and another with my uncle’s avatars. So am I “Facebook out” now? 😬
    • Davie
      No, they are not. Truth wins in the end and this report is full of lies that poison the whole thing: see this: "Dr. Cass Backpedals From Review: HRT, Blockers Should Be Made Available it's said. Dr. Cass's latest statements are likely to cast more doubt on the validity of the study, which has come under fire for disregarding substantial evidence on trans care." https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/dr-cass-backpedals-from-review-hrt?publication_id=994764&post_id=143743897&isFreemail=true&r=rebf4&triedRedirect=true I hope Dr. Cass wins The Mengele Award for it.
    • Adrianna Danielle
      Boyfriend and I went to a support group for spouses dating or married to a transgender person on Tuesday night for the first time.It was amazing meeting other couples like us.One was a genetic woman whom has been dating a transgender male for the first time and she is supporting his transition.Us,they were amazed by us agreeing on something we said,love and acceptance have brought us together
    • Abigail Genevieve
      By which I mean there is a cultural stereotype of what a man is, and one of what a woman is.  Even worse, of what a transgender person is.   You be you.   I read of a boy who thought he was a girl because he did not adhere to some (rather toxic) conceptions of what it means to be a man, so he decided he was a girl.  He was told he didn't have to conform to stereotype and got happy. "You mean I don't have to transition?" He didn't want to, and was relieved.   Once upon a time if you were transgender they told you either you transition or die.   Incorporate the best of what it means to be a man and the best of what it means to be a woman as much as you possibly can, and let the rest go.  Be fully human. Be alive. Don't conform to some cultural crud.
  • Upcoming Events

Contact TransPulse

TransPulse can be contacted in the following ways:

Email: Click Here.

To report an error on this page.

Legal

Your use of this site is subject to the following rules and policies, whether you have read them or not.

Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
DMCA Policy
Community Rules

Hosting

Upstream hosting for TransPulse provided by QnEZ.

Sponsorship

Special consideration for TransPulse is kindly provided by The Breast Form Store.
×
×
  • Create New...