PCOS Message Board - View Single Post - African American women and laser hair removal

priceless31602 · 09-09-2009, 01:01 AM

i'm new to this board, first off...just wanted to say that and introduce myself.

i'm a 27 year old African American woman living in south GA. well, first off, i've had facial hair issues for...too long. i think i first noticed it back in 2002. i've used everything from epil stop (don't know if anyone remembers that) to waxing to plain old every day shaving (which is what i do now). it's the WORST for my skin, but the only thing that is effective, however, of course my skin has turned a couple shades darker in the area where i shave. the depilatories i've used only remove a couple hairs...it doesn't do what it says it's going to do on the bottle. go figure.

nonetheless, i had a consultation with a cosmetic dermatologist this past week. for 6 treatments, i was quoted $2150. i'm astonished that some of you are paying significantly LESS than that. i know that the cost varies from area to area, but i thought $2150 was a bit steep. i was well prepared to pay about $250 per session. i'm getting the lip, chin area, and a little of my neck done. also, the dermatologist i consulted wants me to pay the full $2150 up front. i think that's a little absurd because there is not guarantee that i'll need all 6 sessions. i may be hair free by session 4 or 5. one never knows. besides, i'd be more comfortable paying per session. $2150 is a lot to come out of the pocket with for procedures that may or may not be effective on me. nonetheless, i have another appointment with a different cosmetic dermatologist/plastic surgeon tomorrow and i'm going to see what she has to say. i'm aslo going to ask MORE questions of her than i asked of the first doctor. i didn't ask him if he'd done the procedure on African Americans before or to see photos of his work. i may just pop by his office tomorrow afternoon and see if i can get the answers to those questions and maybe see some photos. i will be sure to also ask both doctors what kind of laser do they use for my skin type.

i'll do my best to keep you posted on my progress. also, after the laser hair removal (if it's as effective as i pray it is), i intend to have something called 'laser resurfacing', which basically can get rid of the discoloration from shaving. it will basically "sloth" off the old skin and skin cells and reveal the "new" skin underneath and give your skin the soft feel it had pre shaving days.

WISH ME LUCK!!!