I have decided to try laser hair removal and would like to hear any sucess stories or not. Did anyone have problems with the hair returning? As this is quite expensive I don't want to be wasting money. After chatting to the therapist she mentioned anyone with PCOS have hairs laying dorment and could decide to pop up at anytime.
I've had laser done and it is quite painful...but you can get prescription numbing cream that helps quite a bit...I had 8 treatments in all over the course of a year and a half....I'm still quite fuzzy so I think it's different for everybody and how the results work for you...but all in all in did decrease the amount of hair I had. SO..I hope this helps a little.
BubbleRider
__________________ -I wish they would only take me as I am- Vincent Van Gogh
Hi - I have been getting laser for almost a year now. I can not say enough good things about it. I was plucking 30-45 minutes a night (every night) and have had the hair prob since I was 11/12 (26 years) It was a little painful at first but it's over in a second and then they move on to the next spot. I had my neck/chin done. I am now down to going once every 2 months for a touchup. Costs me $50.00 per session now. So we're looking at $300.00 a year to stay hair free on my chin/neck. It's worth every penny.
__________________ JillyBug
Age 38
350/175/150
175 pounds gone!
Atkins since 03/02
PCOS since 1978
Diagnosed in 1985
Low-Carb Has Helped my Symptoms!!
I just finished my 6th treatment (started in February) and couldn't be more pleased with the results. I had almost my entire face done (upper lip, chin, cheeks, and neck). It was expensive ($385 for first treatment, $275 for second, $225 for third - fifth, and $100 from no on). My tech said that she believes I will need treatments every 3-6 months after we've finished for maintenance. I believe I have one more treatment left. My facial hair was pretty thick (especially my chin) and I was having to shave everyday (and more if I wanted it smooth). Now, I've only had to shave 2-3 times between treatments and that is just because there have been a few stubborn patches that get on my nerves. I've even had her get rid of my sideburns (hated them!!!). It has been such an esteem booster, I wish I had done it much sooner. It does hurt when they are doing it but the numbing cream helps. Afterwards, my skin would be red (pink actually) for about 20 minutes and then no other effects. I would schedule my appointment for first thing in the morning and then go to work right after (the numbing medicine has to be on your face for about 1 - 1 1/2 hrs prior to treatment, covered in saran wrap). No one at work noticed anything except I had no make up on. Good luck to you. It is well worth the investment.
__________________ 36 yrs, divorced w/one daughter (adopted)
Official Diagnosis PCOS: May, 1997
Medications: 500 mg Met XR 1 x daily, 10 mcg Byetta 2 x daily, 10 mg Lisinpril
Symptoms: strings of pearl-like cysts, acne, no periods, hirsutism, type 2 diabetes, weight issues, skin tags, you name it I've got it
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I am going for my second treatment next week and after one treatment I AM SO HAPPY!
It took a couple of weeks to start noticing the absence of hairs.
It was also virtually painless.
I think there are many types of lasers out there so do your research.
One thing, I have read and have been told by numerous laser operators DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES pluck, tweeze, diplatory, wax. The ONLY thing you can do to remove hair between (and 6 weeks prior to your first treatment) is shave
Hair grows in cycles and if you are constantly plucking it, the lasers WON'T WORK!
Thanks for the reply everyone. I had my consultation yesterday and the therapist said it would take up to 12 treatments over a 2 year period then may just need maintaining perhaps 6 monthly. She said the best results were dark hair on fair skin which I have so hopefully this will work for me.
Originally posted by dizzyd it hasnt worked for me
i have had it done free on the nhs and have had 5 treatments so far
ixxx
You got it on the NHS?
how???????????????
I have been suicidal and housebound with my hair over the past 12 years and had nothing other than dianette which nearly killed me.
I am soooo pleased you have managed to get some proper help and only sorry it hasn't worked for you but how on earth did you get it in the first place?
[quote]Originally posted by dizzyd
[b]it hasnt worked for me
i have had it done free on the nhs and have had 5 treatments so far
i have to see the specialist next week for the final free treatment and my hairs seems worse then ever
i am talking about upper lip hair
i have very dark thick hairs and it looks like i will be back to fortnightly waxing and plucking in between
i was told it might not work but i dont think i really believed them
i might have a few more tretaments which i have to pay for at £45 a time but i am afraid of throwing bad money after bad
I'm just curious as to how you got NHS to pay for your treatments? I don't know how it works there, but here, my insurance would never cover laser treatments because it is an elective procedure--like a face lift. You're very lucky considering how expensive it gets.
As for your lack of success with the procedure, are you familiar with the type of laser they're using on you? I have dark, coarse hair and I also had dark spots on my face (all the waxing/plucking over the years did a number on me), but since having the LYRA laser used on my skin, it has really improved and the hair is coming in less and less. It even takes care of ingrown hair. The chin is a real problem (apparently, that's usually the case), and it still is, but not like it used to be. Find out what type of laser they're using on you because different lasers work better on different types of hair/skin. Also, the person doing the treatment is a HUGE factor. The first time I ever used a laser, the technician burned my upper lip (that was 5 years ago) and I still have a tiny scar from that treatment. The technician I use now is very good. All lasers are not created equally, so make sure you learn about the one they're using on you.
BTW, I'm new to the board and I can't believe how informative this board is. I'm so pleased to have found a place where pretty much every question I have about PCOS can be answered. Thanks.
i had a full face of hair that i had to shave EVERY day now after 2 treatments i shave under my chin and lip maybe every 3-4 days and its much smoother i couldnt be more happy with the results so far and i cant wait to go again and see the progress after my 3rd visit. Yes it hurts but it only last a few minutes its worth it to me. My clinic told me from the start the blonde hair on my face will not go away with laser and that i dont mind but most of the hair on my face is/was pitch black and that is going away nicely!!!
Good luck to you, i recomend it highly
__________________ Iam 31 and hubby 23;o)
DX POS 2001 and have all that goes with it.
Prevara for 2 years
Metforin on and off but on now
HSG 1/6/04 shows Left tube may be closed
2/6/04 had 5 small polups removed from my uterus
still no ovulation ;o(
Moved to Las Vegas NV met a new RE June 10 2004 starting all over with her test blah
6/28/04 2nd HSG today shows good flowing tubes!!! YAY
Started Laser hair removel 7/12/04
Started 5 days of Clomid 150mg 8/22/04
Clomid didnt do a thing 8/31/04
injectables next cycle
9/28/04 start injections today!
10/13/04 1st IUI
10/14/04 2nd IUI doubling our chances!
12/17/04 IVF w/ 3 excellant embryos!
12/29/04 BFN moving on to Adoption boards!
Well, after spending approximately $2000.00 on my laser hair removal it all grew back with a vengeance. The problem was my ob/gyn did not explain that if my hormones were not in order the laser wouldn't work! :::::: Now that I'm on Metformin and trying to regulate my hormones I don't have the money for laser, but I will definitely try it again someday.
My moustache isn't bad really but I swear I have a beard (from the chin right down the middle of my neck to the middle of my throat). I also get a few sporadic ones along my jawline. This hair growth is the WORST symptom for me - makes me want to crawl into a box and never come out! I can't pluck or tweeze because there is simply TOO much hair and it would take me hours....so I shave, and really need to shave at least twice a day. I keep a razor in my car as well for those days I forget. I walk with my head down a lot and talk to people with my chin down just in case. It is devastating.
Anyway - after all that ranting I just wanted to put in my two cents that you wait until your hormones are in order before spending the huge money on laser I hope it works!
__________________ Jennifer
Dx PCOS 1994
Symptoms: Excessive hair everywhere, no AF, overweight, thinning hair at temples
DD Morgan born 09/13/99 after cerclage and 6 months bedrest (two in hospital). Born one month early.
DD Lindsey born at 21 weeks with chorioamnionitis, PTL. Dx of IC after death.
Metformin 1000 mg bid
Provera now for next 10 days
Ortho Novum
I have had Alexandrite laser - feels like grease spattering against the skin - and Lightsheer - feels like a rubber band snapping against the skin - and CryoSheer - doesn't hurt at all but it also didn't work!
Alexexandrite and Lightsheer seemed to work equally well. It will seem like you still have hair growing after it's done, but after about 10 days, the hairs will start to drop out. Then you have smooth skin for a while. Ahhhhh... nice.
Then it starts to grow again and you go back for more.
The laser can only treat follicles with hair that is growing - so as new follicles enter growth phases, you get more hair. Supposedly, once a follicle is zapped it will never grow hair again. The problem is, with PCOS, new follicles are alays going terminal - beginning to produce ugly terminal hairs. So they say you need to get your hormones under control for laser to work - but I find that I go hair even with my hormones under control.
Everyone is different. I definately think it HELPS but it's no guarantee.
I have had... 3 treatments with Alexandrite and 3 with lightsheer. It has been almost a year since my last (alexandrite) treatment and my face is now hairier than ever (ugh) - so I am going to go for a session of LightSheer again because it costs less.
I don't believe it is ever permanent - but it lasts pretty long, it's easier to control the hair that does come back, and in the end I think it is worth it. I mean, just because it doesn't last forever is no reason not to have it done. I mean, you pay to have your hair cut and it gorws back, right? So laser costs a bit more but... it's worth it.
I just really wish price would come down or insurance would cover this. It's just not right that we have a medical problem that affects us so profoundly - and laser centers totally exploit that.
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"We've tried to wash our hands of all of this
We never talk of our lacking relationships
And how we're guilt-stricken, sobbing, with our heads on the floor
We fell through the ice when we tried not to slip..."
- the verve pipe
I didn't realize my hormones have to be in order for the laser to work properly. Nobody told me this?!
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Laser Hair removal - 
Laser Hair Removal 
::: Now that I'm on Metformin and trying to regulate my hormones I don't have the money for laser, but I will definitely try it again someday. 
I hope it works!
