Calling All Moustached Women!

[The Mystery Machine]

Don't know if you've tried laser hair removal before, but I wouldn't suggest starting it during the summer. You have to stay out of the sun for a couple weeks after each treatment. Sun exposure after treatment can cause skin discoloration. Also the more of a contrast of your skin color to hair color the better your results (ie lighter skin, darker hair). Each treatment is 4-5 weeks apart. So that would mean no sun exposure for the entire summer if you start in the beginning of the summer. I would start 4 weeks after the last of your summer outdoor activities. Or start it now & take a break during the summer. My dermatologist did it during the winter & went on a skiing trip. Next thing she knew, she had little white round circles of discoloration on her face where she had the treatment done.

Also know that most advertise it as painless & I'd say that's a bit of a stretch. It's uncomfortable, but as soon as the laser stops there is zero discomfort. To me it kinda feels like two match heads pinching your skin. Many say like a hot rubber-band snap. Take ibuprofen an hour before treatment & you'll really be good. If you're thinking about doing the face know that facial hair removal uses a different laser that is more uncomfortable than the one they use for the body. I'd start with the body & then move on to the face.

This italian girl loves laser hair removal! Worth every penny!

Thanks for that. I knew that about the sun. I do not want to risk that.

If it is worth every penny, I am going to do it. My dd is pretty scared because of the pain. I guess I will have to go first.

 

[krcit]

Don't know if you've tried laser hair removal before, but I wouldn't suggest starting it during the summer. You have to stay out of the sun for a couple weeks after each treatment. Sun exposure after treatment can cause skin discoloration. Also the more of a contrast of your skin color to hair color the better your results (ie lighter skin, darker hair). Each treatment is 4-5 weeks apart. So that would mean no sun exposure for the entire summer if you start in the beginning of the summer. I would start 4 weeks after the last of your summer outdoor activities. Or start it now & take a break during the summer. My dermatologist did it during the winter & went on a skiing trip. Next thing she knew, she had little white round circles of discoloration on her face where she had the treatment done.

Also know that most advertise it as painless & I'd say that's a bit of a stretch. It's uncomfortable, but as soon as the laser stops there is zero discomfort. To me it kinda feels like two match heads pinching your skin. Many say like a hot rubber-band snap. Take ibuprofen an hour before treatment & you'll really be good. If you're thinking about doing the face know that facial hair removal uses a different laser that is more uncomfortable than the one they use for the body. I'd start with the body & then move on to the face.

This italian girl loves laser hair removal! Worth every penny!

I can't find prices anywhere. Would you mind telling me what you paid? I see you're in NY. I don't want to go for a consult until I have a ballpark figure.I might not be able to afford it. I'm thinking of starting with my bikini area, then underarms and finally lip. Shaving my legs doesn't bother me for some reason, lol. I have blonde hair on my lip...would it even work? Sorry for the 20 questions

 

[Green Tea]

I've had laser treatments. I have never heard the stay out of the sun for a couple of weeks thing. She has me put sunscreen afterwards for the day, and everyone should wear sunscreen everyday; there were no specific rules given to me by either doctor's office about staying inside.

In regards to cost....at either medical office I used, each "area" was generally a couple of hundred dollars for a series of 6 treatments. The area being lip/chin, underarms, bikini. SOmething like full legs, a man's back, etc would be more as they are larger.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I can't find prices anywhere. Would you mind telling me what you paid? I see you're in NY. I don't want to go for a consult until I have a ballpark figure.I might not be able to afford it. I'm thinking of starting with my bikini area, then underarms and finally lip. Shaving my legs doesn't bother me for some reason, lol. I have blonde hair on my lip...would it even work? Sorry for the 20 questions

No it will not work on blonde hair, only dark hair. And you have to shave for awhile before treatment for best results. Obviously pulling, plucking, waxing pulls out the root.

Can't help you with price though. NYC has to be even pricer. Could be 500-1000 depending on the place.

They don't give prices on purpose. It is annoying.

 

[MissMet]

I can't find prices anywhere. Would you mind telling me what you paid? I see you're in NY. I don't want to go for a consult until I have a ballpark figure.I might not be able to afford it. I'm thinking of starting with my bikini area, then underarms and finally lip. Shaving my legs doesn't bother me for some reason, lol. I have blonde hair on my lip...would it even work? Sorry for the 20 questions

I did my treatments in 2008 & I've heard prices have come down... This is what I know from my experience. It may be cheaper now.

It's expensive. Like REAL expensive. I found that dermatologist offices have the best prices. I'd do a little research with all of your local dermatologists as well as the other places that do it. Some of them, their base rate is more expensive than others but ask about promotions & package deals. The most sessions you could need in one area (other than maintenance) is six. Thanks to being Italian, I need all 6. My dermatologist charged $440 per session for bikini & $560 for Brazilian. Then came the package deals. If I paid upfront for 3 sessions it was $900 & if I paid the full 6 sessions it was $1,400. Every place does it different. Some charge even more to start but they give you free maintenance procedures for free for life. That's why you really have to do your homework. There is no definite answer to how much maintenance you'll need since everyone's hair growth is different, but it could be as much as once a month to once a year. Most end up doing it once-twice a year. You could also easily shave the "hair" that grows every once in a while. You'll be amazed at how different the "hair" is that grows back, especially in the bikini area. It's more like peach fuzz.

As for blonde hair. When the lasers first came out blondes were out of luck! Now, they have made many improvements for blondes. This is another area where you'll have to do your homework. There are like 100 different laser hair removal machines. Obviously some better than others. So you could call one place & they tell you it's not possible for blondes & then you could call another that says that their laser works for blondes. The better contrast from your skin color to hair color the better. The laser has to "see" the hair root. This is difficult with blondes as their skin is very close to the hair color. Some places now say it works for blondes. I don't know 'cause I'm a brunette but I've found this all has to do with what laser they're using. This also helps with pain. The first time I tried it, the technician put ice packs on my bikini area for only about 3 minutes, then took them off & started lasering away nonstop for 5 minutes. Can you guess what happened after like 10 seconds of a laser hitting my skin?? It warmed up! That was fun. She was using an old laser. Now they have lasers that shoot freezing cold air that numbs that area of the skin right before the laser turns on. Much more comfortable than my ice pack lady! Also, many places have numbing cream that you can pay extra for or the more expensive places may include it.

So as you can see, there is a ton of research to do before getting started. It's just like anything else, the more you put into it, the better your results. There are many forums dedicated to laser hair removal. Search "laser hair removal advise or forums" & you'll find a bunch.

I don't mind the questions at all. I wish I had someone I could of asked! I was the first of all my friends to try it.

 

[MissMet]

I've had laser treatments. I have never heard the stay out of the sun for a couple of weeks thing. She has me put sunscreen afterwards for the day, and everyone should wear sunscreen everyday; there were no specific rules given to me by either doctor's office about staying inside.

In regards to cost....at either medical office I used, each "area" was generally a couple of hundred dollars for a series of 6 treatments. The area being lip/chin, underarms, bikini. SOmething like full legs, a man's back, etc would be more as they are larger.

I didn't mean no sun exposure like you must stay indoors. I meant no sun exposure like tanning or spending the day in the sun at the beach. I went on a cruise in the middle of my treatments and my dermatologists told me to keep a towel on my bikini area while I sat at the pool or try to stay in the shade. They don't want your skin to have a tan. It was annoying but doable. Also, I had it done back in 2008 and we probably were treated with different laser machines, since there are so many. The discoloration wasn't permanent, but it was lots of while circles. It's like you could see where the laser was used. It went away after a little bit of time.

 

[Green Tea]

It is really different now, or we had very different machines, MissMet. The only time I have ever seen circles was in a photo that was presented during a lawsuit of laser gone wrong. I never had any visible reaction like that. I was fine to go about my daily routine, cruises, beach and all, just wear sunscreen. The cost was also vastly different. I never paid as much for a package of 6 as you paid for a single treatment! Wow!!! My packages were $250 +/- for 6 treatments.

My delay in calling about treatment initially was because I feared prices like you actually had to pay. Wow.

 

[krcit]

Thanks for the info!! I guess I'll start asking around. Maybe start with my dermatologist

 

[MissMet]

It is really different now, or we had very different machines, MissMet. The only time I have ever seen circles was in a photo that was presented during a lawsuit of laser gone wrong. I never had any visible reaction like that. I was fine to go about my daily routine, cruises, beach and all, just wear sunscreen. The cost was also vastly different. I never paid as much for a package of 6 as you paid for a single treatment! Wow!!! My packages were $250 +/- for 6 treatments.

My delay in calling about treatment initially was because I feared prices like you actually had to pay. Wow.

That's good to know for future treatments. Although some of the places I looked into still warns against the sun.

I looked into it and the prices are still very similar to what I paid years ago. Where do you live? I'm in NY so everything is 10x more expensive. I think I should just fly to another state to get it done- it'd be cheaper even with the cost of the flight. You are talking about laser hair removal & not electrolysis, right? Gotta love NY!

 

[Arielle22]

I have my upper lip, chin, eyebrows and under arms professionally waxed. I am light skinned with dark brunette hair. While waxing stings slightly I do not feel the pain that some here has talked about.

My younger daughter noticed her moustache when she was about 12. At first she would bleach or shave but I got her to join me in waxing.

I had told my daughters since they were young and I was trying to get tangles out of their hair that beauty hurts. To me, waxing is a necessary pain in order to look presentable.

 

[disneydreamersx4]

I have my upper lip, chin, eyebrows and under arms professionally waxed. I am light skinned with dark brunette hair. While waxing stings slightly I do not feel the pain that some here has talked about.

My younger daughter noticed her moustache when she was about 12. At first she would bleach or shave but I got her to join me in waxing.

I had told my daughters since they were young and I was trying to get tangles out of their hair that beauty hurts. To me, waxing is a necessary pain in order to look presentable.

Can I please ask you if your DD had problems with bleaching? And if your DD ever tried the hair remover creams that are mentioned in previous posts? thank you, trying to decide what to do with my DD-13's 'stash

 

[castleview]

Fair skinned Italian girl here. Shaving caused stubble, bleaching worked but my hair is thick, chemical products back then burned (not sure how much better they are now). Waxing so far has been the best option for me. However, given your daughter's age, I'd look into laser hair removal. I went to college far away and trying to get your face waxes during that time was tough.

 

[reggiemcp]

I didn't read all the replies, but my suggestion is Vaniqa. It is a prescription cream that I have been using over 6 years, and at age 46 I have tried everything. I am Irish with very fair skin but dark hair. I also have PCOS which makes facial hair a real issue.

I have tried all the mentioned methods and none really did the trick, would always get a reaction, have a 5 o'clock shadow, etc.

Vaniqa is a cream you use a twice a day when you first start it and then once a day for maintenance. Your PCP can prescribe it. It is expensive but one tube lasts for about six months. The Vaniqa website always has some sort of rebate or discount, so check that out before filling prescription.

It is the first time in my life I have not been self-concious about my facial hair, and the best investment in myself I have ever made.

 

[Green Tea]

That's good to know for future treatments. Although some of the places I looked into still warns against the sun.

I looked into it and the prices are still very similar to what I paid years ago. Where do you live? I'm in NY so everything is 10x more expensive. I think I should just fly to another state to get it done- it'd be cheaper even with the cost of the flight. You are talking about laser hair removal & not electrolysis, right? Gotta love NY!

No kidding on traveling to have it done! Your prices are unreal!

 

[CathrynRose]

I have no idea why women are so against shaving. The old wives tales are just that. Shaving is cheap. A gentle soap and you don't end up with a flaming red irritated upper lip. Shaving is easy. All this womanly hocus pokus crap just chaps my butt and all because some beauty *expert* tells us what we're supposed to do and how we're supposed to do it. Bah!

LOL

Bam!

I use a regular ol' razor whenever I get a fuzzy upper lip. It's not thick, it's not black - it's fuzz.

I've been doing it since high school, and it's still fuzz. I only do it when I remember, and have had NO problems.

 

[CathrynRose]

What's really tricky is cleaning up that uni-brow... Shaving works, but you need to have a delicate touch or you'll end up losing half an eyebrow. I finally had them waxed and have been plucking the hairs ever since.

No, no... get these:

Sally's, WalMart, CVS - they all sell them. Wonderful!

 

[CathrynRose]

I'm thirty-nine, but I think you're right about the effects of age and/or hormones. After I had my son, I even started getting coarse hairs growing out of my chin! I blame the boy. Luckily, they're easy to yank out.

I think the difference is that my upper lip hairs are pretty soft. Thick and dark, sure, but still soft. So no stubble.

My chin hairs, on the other hand, feel like cat whiskers. So I guess if you had something like that growing out of your upper lip, you'd probably get stubble!

**I should have read before I started replying**

Chin Hairs - get this:

http://www.facialwork.com/


They ROCK! You just sit there while you watch TV and pop 'em all out. I love those things!! LOVE THEM! I paniced when I lost it for a week.

And side note - the SwirliDo hair ties they sell, too. LOVE them, as well. They don't leave a pony tail bump and stay put. They're great.

Those Twist & Roll Tweezers say they can be used on the upper lip, but for me - it hurts too much. I shave.