laser information - Page 2

Samantha_VG · 11-28-2004, 12:09 AM

Hi everyone...

This polling is a great idea!

2 years ago I had had laser therapy and it was extremely successful! I was shaving and plucking for about 3hrs every night and continually had dark paches (burried beneath the skin) that make up did little to conceal. It got to be so far out of hand I finally was able to have it covered through my insurance through Sunlife. I had see a pshychiatrist, dermatoligist and doctor for letters confirming the severity. My insurance only covered Electrolysis, so I really had to fight for coverage (appeal letters and whatnot). Any way....2 years later a good portion of my hirsutism has grown back. Very depressing. The good news is that its not as bad as it was and I kinda screwed up my treatments by plucking in between instead of just shaving (couldn't stand it) and I wasn't able to keep my appointments 6 weeks apart (was more like 9). The first treatment was extremely successful....all the hair completely fell out and my skin was smooth as silk...no bumps or stubble or NOTHING! I am really excited about this next round and will keep you posted.

The questions....

What kind of laser or IPL did you get?
(please include brand name or any info. you have)

What kind of laser or IPL did you get?
(please include brand name or any info. you have)
COOL GLIDE

How long ago and for what duration? 2 YEARS AGO....6 TREATMENTS (QUIT TOO SOON AND TREATMENTS WERE ABOUT 9 WEEKS APART INSTEAD OF 6)

How many actual treaments did you receive? SEE ABOVE

What color is the hair that was being treated? BLACK AND COURSE HAIR

What color/shade is your skin? FAIR TO MEDIUM

Do you know what setting the technician used? 80

What were/are your results? INCREDIBLE

How much did it cost? ABOUT $300.00 A TREATMENT (ENTIRE LOWER FACE AND NECK)

Would you do it again? YUP...STARTING AGAIN IN DECEMBER ....I THINK THREE TREATMENTS WILL FINSIH IT UP (SCREWED UP THE FIRST ROUND)

Did insurance cover any of it? YES AND NO. INSURANCE COVERED FOR A LIFE TIME ALLOWANCE OF $2000.00. THIS TIME ITS ON MY DIME.

May you all be healthy, happy and PCOS symptom free!

jstewart · 12-16-2004, 02:55 PM

What kind of laser or IPL did you get?
(please include brand name or any info. you have)
Coolglide (I think)

How long ago and for what duration?
Still in the process of having it Over 2 years

How many actual treaments did you receive?
so far going on my 9th next week (4 upper lip and 9 chin)

What color is the hair that was being treated?
black

What color/shade is your skin?
usually light but since living here in HI it has changed it to medium i think

Do you know what setting the technician used?
no sorry... I do know she increases it every time though

What were/are your results?
pretty good. Although I still have a few stragglers on my chin. I stopped on 4 with the upper lip because that doesn't grow in as quickly and I wax that now.

How much did it cost?
It varies from state to state... in NC 125 per session but in HI 70 per session ... but ask for deals like if you buy all your sessions together because I did and got them for 55 a peice if I paid for all 4 of the ones i HI at once.

Would you do it again?
Yes, although it is frustrating that I might have to keep having them

Did insurance cover any of it?
nope. you would think since it is a symptom of PCOS it would be covered.

Hope that helps.

august75 · 01-05-2005, 02:34 PM

What kind of laser or IPL did you get?
(please include brand name or any info. you have)
Lightsheer with a cool tip

How long ago and for what duration?
since May 2004- about to have 5th session

How many actual treaments did you receive?
4

What color is the hair that was being treated?
mostly dark brown/black

What color/shade is your skin?
fair to medium

Do you know what setting the technician used?
low at first and slowly raised the setting.

What were/are your results?
Ive had a 75-90% reduction.

How much did it cost?
$170 per 20 minute session, but I bought a 3 session package that dropped the cost to $135 per session

Would you do it again?
YES, YES, YES, YES,YES

Did insurance cover any of it?
No, but i was going every 8 weeks the first two session and then 10 weeks an now 12 weeks so it's easier than some would think to come up with the money.

deemkay · 01-09-2005, 03:17 PM

I'm new to this site and was reading up on laser treatments. I have had problems with hair growth starting as early as 14. Of course as far as I have been concerned I have the worst possible. I'm sure many of us feel that way. Laser treatments in my area are very costly. I have had 2 different consultations. One at a large center that pretty much only does laser treatments. The cost for 1 year is about 2000 up front, cash. The other goes my treatment areas and for me that means about $290 per treatment, and if I buy 4 at once a 10% discount. I just don't know what to do about it anymore. I had about a year and half of electrolysis treatments, that were extremely painful and costly... without any real results at all. Its depressing, its embarassing as we all know. But this fee is a LOT of money for me. I'm scared to try yet one more thing to have it fail, yet I am so tired of having people stare at my face full of stubble or shadow. I know that no one can tell me what to do, but I guess I just wanted to say thank you to those of you who are posting, because every little bit of info I can get helps.

august75 · 01-11-2005, 11:28 AM

I think that the "$$$ up front" is crazy because you dont know what type of reduction you might have. It may be great and you may not need more than 3 or you could need 6 or more.

I would suggest talking to you OB/gyn or a dermatologist and get a suggestion or a referel. I get mine done at my OB/gyn and the cost for an entire face (sideburn, upper lip, chin and inder chin) is $170 per treatment. It got discounted to $136 per treatment since I agreed to 3 treatments. that is the minnimun the suggest. After that- it's up to the tech and patient as to what areas, etc... needs further treatment.

Good luck with it. I hope you can find a better price because it is life changing in the best way possible!

lanners · 01-28-2005, 03:18 PM

this thread has been very informative because i had been looking into having laser done.

HOWEVER, when i approached one of the only clinics in town about it, they flat out refused to treat me once i divulged that i had "hormone" problems. they said it would be useless to even try the laser because hormonal problems cause something weird to happen to the follicles or something.

come on, people...generally speaking, people who don't have hormonal or endocrinal problems don't sprout full beards every 4 to 6 weeks.

has anyone else encountered this problem?

august75 · 01-28-2005, 03:39 PM

I think they may be thinking that if you have a hormone problem... the treatments may not be as succesful because if your PCOS is still something you are dealing with new hair may continue to grow. I go to my ob/gyn to have mine done and they told me that with PCOS my reduction may not be as good as i want, but in my case... My PCOS was terrible when i weighed more, but after losing 70 lbs the sysmptoms dissapeared so the hair i had was just in place and i wasnt growing new hair follicles.

There is nothing wrong with you hair follicales and if they are saying that then dont go to them. they are uneducated with the laser and i wouldnt trust them. The only thing you might run into is as they laser some hair... you might find new growth, but if you want to try it i think you should! i've had a 90% reduction and i knew of that risk too. even if you dont get a 100% reduction... it might make it much more managble to you. I would suggest calling a dermatologist and see if they do it. If not... try a different place because that place sounds like they are cluless.

good luck and try again!

Scyg · 01-31-2005, 10:30 AM

What kind of laser or IPL did you get?
Lyra laser

How long ago and for what duration?
Currently doing treatments.

How many actual treaments did you receive?
I have had 4 treatments so far, but the doctor advised me because of my PCOS that it could take as many as 10 and then I will need 6 month touch ups.

What color is the hair that was being treated?
Black

What color/shade is your skin?
Medium but sensitive

Do you know what setting the technician used?
No.

What were/are your results?
I still shave most days but the hair is definitely decreasing. I am gettng the sides of my face, upper lip and neck area treated. The sideburns have did really well, and I'm starting to see some improvement on my upper lip.

How much did it cost? I can get as many treatments as I can in a year for $1,500. Currently, I'm getting a treatment every four weeks.

Would you do it again?
Definitely. It has been worth every cent, and it has boosted my self-confidence.

Did insurance cover any of it?
No.

leelee03 · 02-09-2005, 04:06 AM

What kind of laser or IPL did you get?
Gentlase (i think!)

How long ago and for what duration?
between Nov. 2003 til now* total, I have been there 8 times, but the regular course is 5 visits in 5 months. i did that, then had 3 extra sessions since then. Was back at my dermatologist today who said i probably have PCOS and she thinks its because i keep producing testoserone that it keeps coming back.

How many actual treaments did you receive?
8

What color is the hair that was being treated?
very dark brown/black

What color/shade is your skin?
very fair

Do you know what setting the technician used?
started low, got higher

What were/are your results?
With all of what i said above, the results were miraculous! i didnt have to worry about letting people see my neck and chin! it was about 8 months after the initial 5 that it started (fainter, less hair) coming back (again, i think testosterone's at play)

How much did it cost?
150$/session

Would you do it again?
Definitely. the technician who worked on me (and hair removal on my mom's arms and legs...she also highly recommends gentlase) was so nice and she also realized that something might be wrong with me. my derm's tech! the results were fantastic, and i think that if i didn't have some hormone issues at play here, I would remain hair free on my chin.

Did insurance cover any of it?
no.

Hope this helps!

Samantha_VG · 02-09-2005, 09:15 AM

Hi everyone,

Have a question here...I have had about 8 laser teatments with coolglide. I had 6 treatments 2 years ago but it kinda came back. I managed to have 2 more treatments with Coolglide in the last 6 weeks, but for financial reasons its just not feasible anymore. I live in the high Canadian Actic and its about $2,200.00 to fly to a city that offers Coolglide treatments!! Plus hotel, cabs and food! Its ...ahem...just a bit rich for my blood to continue doing this. I had EXCELLENT results with Coolglide (I posted my results earlier in the poll) and really want to continue with laser treatments!! Its much better than it was but I am still shaving every other day with a few very stubborn patches

I am able to get to a smaller city that offers IPL treatments with a spa....its about 1/3 of the cost of my going for Coolglide treatments and plus I get to stay with my long lost family...lol

My question is...does IPL work?? What is the difference anyway? I have been scanning the poll here on a pretty regular basis looking for someone who has had IPL treatments and what kind of results they experience and not having much luck...help!?!

jeljebouti · 02-22-2005, 11:06 PM

Question for people doing laser treaments!

Are any of you on meds while getting treated?

And, are you allowed to shave afterwords? Cause I know the hair doesnt go away right away so I'm wondering if shaving will...reverse what the laser did and start growing back, or if it's safe to do so?

hanshab · 02-23-2005, 11:16 AM

jeljebouti--I started taking Met after my first treatment at the suggestion of my laser tech. I had been on it prior to laser (type 2 diabetic as well) and she told me that as long as my PCOS and diabetes was out of control, I wouldn't get great results.

Also you asked about shaving afterwords. My tech informed me that the only thing you can do between treatments (which are 10-12 weeks apart now) is shave. NEVER PLUCK because it damages the follicle and can cause new hairs to grow. Shaving just cuts the hair off at the surface. Good luck to you.

Dreaming Wolf · 03-27-2005, 12:03 AM

What kind of laser or IPL did you get?
I had two different types, Photogenica LPIR (Alexandrite) and LYRA. I can't remember which is which but I found one more painful, I think LYRA?

How long ago and for what duration?
I had it done a couple of years ago for about a year.

How many actual treaments did you receive?
Can't remember... less than 10, more than 5 at a guess.

What color is the hair that was being treated?
black

What color/shade is your skin?
quite fair

Do you know what setting the technician used?
started low, got higher

What were/are your results?
I got it done on my chin and sideburns... sideburns are now reduced to fine hair, not at all unsightly, but chin still grows back a bit icky.

How much did it cost?
Around $120, Australian dollars though, per session

Would you do it again?
Yes, it wasn't too painful and the results were good.

Did insurance cover any of it?
Public health insurance here covered some because the doctor who did it billed as an extended consultation (which we get back from the government) plus a separate fee for the excess. She felt that it was a fine line between cosmetic and truly necessary, and that facial hair in particular really affects self-esteem).

My advice to people is to get it done by a doctor, not a beauty therapist (not sure if that's offered overseas but here it is). They know what they're doing.

lisadukk · 03-27-2005, 12:16 AM

well i just noticed this post, and i too have had some laser done. i would do it again in a heartbeat, need some more money. when i had it done i spent over 2 grand. it did make a difference, that i think i can still see.

i was hoping that pilotgirl was still around somewhere, since i noticed she was also from austin, and i was going to ask where she went.....if you are still out there, just let me know....
either pm me or email me at lisadukk@yahoo.com

thanks so much

mel33 · 03-30-2005, 06:45 PM

Is it very painful? I have been looking into getting laser treatment for the past two weeks. I am tired of having to shave every day, and I have always wanted to just get up one morning and not have to worry about embarrassing hair.

Mel