Any one do laser hair removal?

[mrsklamc]

Smacky1 can I ask what your rate was?

 

[aribelle]

I did electroloysis about a decade ago....I don't even know if they do that anymore, lol. It was time consuming....I went for a one hour treatment (they recommend 30 minutes, but I wanted to get it over with, and the hour treatment was cheaper, lol) every week for a couple of months.....like I said it's slow and time consuming as they have to slide a needle like thing down the shaft of an individual hair, zap it, and it pulls out. After a couple of months it went to every other week, then once a month as we were waiting to catch the hair growth cycle.

10+ years later and I still don't have to shave. I do have one patch on one leg right where it meets my foot that will grow a patch of hair every once in a while....so I grab DH's razor and zap it away and it's gone for a long time again. I'm guessing that I must have missed a growth cycle on it or something.

As I get older I'm finding more and more hairs to pluck on my chin but I have neither the money, the patience or the time to do this again. THe laser things sounds even more expensive, but definitely quicker.

Oh....and a word of warning....if you are still in your child bearing stage, keep in mind that hair growth and hormones go hand in hand....so if you spend all this money now to have the work done, and then have another baby or two....you may find that the growth comes back with a vengenance and you have to start all over again. I was done having babies when I had mine done, but my friend had two more after we had it done (it was our version of girls night out, lol)....and hers grew back to where you'd never really know she'd spent all that money.

 

[Green Tea]

For those that asked about length of hair prior to treatment; in my office it makes no difference. You can shave up to the day. The light works below the skin as well as above, so shave away. The hairs will still attract the light.

Once you begin treatment, only shaving, No plucking, no wax. That removes hair that needs to be there to be killed in the treatments.

 

[addicted2dizney]

I had this done about 7-8 years ago when it first came out at my doctors office. Being on the "hairy side" and tired of always having to wax or have razor irritation, I got my bikini area done. It was $1200 for 4 treatments. If you have light skin/dark hair it works the best but it was PAINFUL! I also had some bleeding and scaring around the bikini area the first season! Several years later, I would say that 3/4 of the hair has grown back but it is still more manageable then it was, I don't get the problems waxing that I did before. My friend did it at the same time on her eyebrows and had no problems at all.

 

[lsg1]

I have a question for those of you that have had your chin and upper lip done. How long does the hair need to grow out before your go in for your treatment? Does it just have to be through the skin and does it have to be a certain length? I would be VERY self-conscious if I had to let all my facial hair grow out before I went in for a treatment!!

When I had my lip and chin done, the dr. said that I could not pluck or wax for 4 weeks prior to the treatment, but he actually wanted the area fully shaved before I came in. So, I never had shaved that area before, but started to shave it before treatments started, and I never really had to worry about being embarrassed, becasue there was no visible hair. Actually if it wasnt totally shaved when in the office, he would give the patient a disposible razor and ask them to remove all the hair.

 

[smacky1]

Smacky1 can I ask what your rate was?

They said it goes from $200-$400 for the bikini area and quoted me $300 per session. They were running a promo for 35% off your first visit so I only paid $195 for the first visit.

 

[LeslieG]

I'm a little worried about finding someone experienced doing these laser treatments. This sounds like something that could really hurt you if done improperly. Did you all do some kind of checking into the facility you used? Is there some kind of licensing requirement?

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

I'm a little worried about finding someone experienced doing these laser treatments. This sounds like something that could really hurt you if done improperly. Did you all do some kind of checking into the facility you used? Is there some kind of licensing requirement?

At my dermatologist's office the woman who does the laser treatments has her certificates on the wall from the company that makes the lasers. She goes through training and updates on the laser system periodically. I haven't had laser hair removal (yet) but I do go get my rosacea and spider veins zapped off my face every year (not covered by insurance, but covered by my medical spending account).

You guys wouldn't have that burning hair smell if you shaved two days before you went in-they don't need to fry all the surface hair-the energy from the laser heats up the shaft of the hair (and like dark colored clothes in the sun, the darker the hair the more energy it absorbs) and that energy travels down to the root of the hair and nukes it. Sort of like mass instantaneous electrolysis.

Even with going into a dermatologist's office and using an experienced certified tech, I still had some scarring around my nose where the yag laser for the spider veins burned my skin. Now I just used the other laser for the rosacea and leave the spider veins alone (not only did I scar, but the veins came back anyway). The scars are not very noticeable to anyone but me (look like tiny dimples where my nostrils meet my face), but I don't want to chance that again. So, be aware that there can be side effects. You might want to have them test an inconspicuous area first and see how you react before going through the whole treatment.

 

[MrandMissVacation]

My experience:

I wanted the bikini area done...actually brazilian. We got a discount because the physician that opened a medical spa gave hospital employees a significant discount. For me 5 sessions cost me about 500 bucks about 5 years ago.

My first session I had a histamine reaction. I got hives. It hurt like a son of a gun, A registered nurse trained in laser hair removal did the procedure and had to administer zantac (it's a histamine 2 blocker as well as G.I. Medication) and benedryl after the procedure. I also had to go home with ice packs in my jeans.. yeah that was a look

I drove home VERY SLEEPY (I know I should have called for a ride, but my hubby would have just had a fit because he wasn't too happy with my extravagance to begin with).

I spend the day groggy and puffy and iced packed.

The next time.. yes I went back I had to pre-drug myself w/ zantac. It still hurt like the dickens.

The next time.. they pre-treated the area with a magic cream that numbed the area (not ela-max the topical lidocaine--it's not strong enough for me). I did fine. And the treatments after

Would I do it over again.. you bet!! I hated the bumps, bleeding, nasty look in that area every time I shaved. I would say 90% of my hair is gone. I still have to touch up w/ a razor, but NO MORE BUMPS. I should go back and get the rest done.. but it's a budget thing at this point.

hth

 

[addicted2dizney]

My experience:

I wanted the bikini area done...actually brazilian. We got a discount because the physician that opened a medical spa gave hospital employees a significant discount. For me 5 sessions cost me about 500 bucks about 5 years ago.

My first session I had a histamine reaction. I got hives. It hurt like a son of a gun, A registered nurse trained in laser hair removal did the procedure and had to administer zantac (it's a histamine 2 blocker as well as G.I. Medication) and benedryl after the procedure. I also had to go home with ice packs in my jeans.. yeah that was a look

I drove home VERY SLEEPY (I know I should have called for a ride, but my hubby would have just had a fit because he wasn't too happy with my extravagance to begin with).

I spend the day groggy and puffy and iced packed.

The next time.. yes I went back I had to pre-drug myself w/ zantac. It still hurt like the dickens.

The next time.. they pre-treated the area with a magic cream that numbed the area (not ela-max the topical lidocaine--it's not strong enough for me). I did fine. And the treatments after

Would I do it over again.. you bet!! I hated the bumps, bleeding, nasty look in that area every time I shaved. I would say 90% of my hair is gone. I still have to touch up w/ a razor, but NO MORE BUMPS. I should go back and get the rest done.. but it's a budget thing at this point.

hth

Mine was very similar to yours.. I think it was after my 3rd treatment I remember laying on my bed with cool damp cloths on my bikini area to take the sting out! I did the Emla cream but it was useless for me too!

To answer a previous posters question. Mine was my MD who had gone through extensive research, training, certification. I do believe it was so early into it that I was still part of the "learning curve". If I had to I would do it again as well. Quality of life is better because of it. I can now control the hair without all the suffering I did with shaving. If I did try to shave it was horrible. Now I can touch up with a razor. Like I had said before mine was many years ago and I do need to wax but nothing like it was before. I do believe I am an extreme case though.

 

[sarahlovesmickey]

so the laser treatments aren't a permanent thing??? and does the laser actually burn the hair???

 

[addicted2dizney]

so the laser treatments aren't a permanent thing??? and does the laser actually burn the hair???

Some of the hair is gone forever, others do come back. Sometimes just new hair grows in the area. This is what I remember from years back being told.
A PP explained it well, the laser/heat travels down the hair shaft and fries the root. If the hair is a bit long you will smell the hair burn! Yuck! Also the darker your hair is the more light it attracts and you have potential for it being more sensitive.

 

[KigerKat]

so the laser treatments aren't a permanent thing??? and does the laser actually burn the hair???

Some of the hair is gone forever, others do come back. Sometimes just new hair grows in the area. This is what I remember from years back being told.
A PP explained it well, the laser/heat travels down the hair shaft and fries the root. If the hair is a bit long you will smell the hair burn! Yuck! Also the darker your hair is the more light it attracts and you have potential for it being more sensitive.

The place where I get mine done at will charge $1 per pulse for the rest of my life on my already treated areas if I ever see hair growth again.

And pp has the laser process and what happens to the hair. This is why it's important not to tweeze, wax, or us stuff like Nair. Those processes remove or dissolve hair at the root, and therefore make the laser uneffective because there's nothing there for it to "zap." When you shave, you're just cutting the hair off at the skin, leaving the hair below the skin and the root.

 

[grlzmom]

I have had (still have a few treatments left) IPL laser hair removal of lip/chin, underarms, bikini and legs from toes to three inches above knee.

When the dermatologist did my skin assessment they said I should have 8 treatments.

Each area cost a different amount and each area goes on a different time schedule (i.e., lip/chin is every two-four weeks but legs are every ten-twelve weeks, depending on growth cycles of different areas, etc.)

After three treatments I had about a 70 percent reduction of lip/chin/bikini area. After first treatment of legs and underarms, already a 50 percent reduction. After one underarm treatment I didnt shave anymore.

The bikini area is the best because even if you shave you don't get bumps anymore.

For the face it is ok to shave between treatments, no need to let it grow and of course they want clean shaven when I come in for the treatments.

I never had any pain. When the laser is on my legs in the front shin area, I feel a tiny bit of a zap but they said that is sensitive area anyways since close to the bone.

Totally forget what I paid wasn't cheap though, but anyhow, totally worth it. Got a package deal with a one year guarantee. Skin feels much smoother, like baby skin. After two leg treatments, I was only shaving every two weeks and I was a once a day shaver.

Not everyone uses the same laser. Some of the older ones are more painful and don't work nearly as well. I think the IPL I get is a Palomar Starlux or something like that. Heats and cools at the same time for comfort.

I have a friend who went somewhere really cheap, got her legs burned from the laser and never really had good results. Initially she had less hair but now a year later she is back to stage one. Her dermatologist was using older equipment.

Jeanne

 

[sahm1000]

I have a question for those of you that have had your chin and upper lip done. How long does the hair need to grow out before your go in for your treatment? Does it just have to be through the skin and does it have to be a certain length? I would be VERY self-conscious if I had to let all my facial hair grow out before I went in for a treatment!!

Like others have said, they don't want the hair to be long, they prefer it to be shaved but don't WAX or Tweeze within 4 to 6 weeks of getting a treatment.



I have had it done before on my chin and would love to do my legs and bikini line. I am currently pregnant and I know they won't do it while I'm pregnant but will they do it while I breastfeed? I would love to get it done as soon as possible!

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

Like others have said, they don't want the hair to be long, they prefer it to be shaved but don't WAX or Tweeze within 4 to 6 weeks of getting a treatment.



I have had it done before on my chin and would love to do my legs and bikini line. I am currently pregnant and I know they won't do it while I'm pregnant but will they do it while I breastfeed? I would love to get it done as soon as possible!

I know from experience that my hormones were kinda wacky when I was breastfeeding and that caused interesting fluctuations in my hair growth, so I'd wait until you were what you'd consider a hormonal baseline before getting it zapped. You'd have to check with your dermatologist about safety considerations, though, I only can opine about my experience.

 

[fivefordisney]

I had my bikini line done at least 7 years ago. My husband heard me talking about it with my sister and got it for me as a bday gift! It was done at a dermatologist's office. I think the cost was $1700--I went 3 times.

It only hurt one time (like the other posters said--like a rubber band snapping you.) I didn't let enough time pass after putting on the numbing cream, LMX (it was called something different then.) I was given really detailed directions about putting the LMX on--I remember putting a really thick coat of the cream on and covering my bikini-line with Saran Wrap. I had to wait almost 2 hours before I felt really numb. Then I didn't feel a thing.

The hair fell out after about a week. I noticed in the shower; it reminded me of what happens when you use Nair. It just kind of rubbed off.

There was no irritation at all, and I have extremely sensitive skin.

It was awesome and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Most of it stayed off permanently. I had my third child (unexpected, but awesome) 5 years ago, and I did notice a bit of growth with the hormone fluctuations. It's such a tiny bit that I don't mind shaving.