laser information - Page 5

alyrae · 04-21-2006, 08:33 PM

Thanks for the info, everyone. I actually just won a drawing for a hair removal package from American Laser Centers. I actually cried when they called me and told me, I've been wanting to do this for so long. I usually wax my upper lip and pluck the other dark hairs on my face, so I'm going to start with the area that bothers me most, the hairs on and between my breasts. I've always treated my growth with plucking and bleaching, and I'm a little nervous that I can't do that between treatments. Can anyone tell me what to expect after my first treatment? IE: how much will grow back after the first treatment, will it be less coarse growth, etc.

Fathom · 05-11-2006, 07:03 PM

What kind of laser or IPL did you get?
(please include brand name or any info. you have)
I am using the Lightsheer Diode Laser System™ from Lumenis

How long ago and for what duration?
April 24, 2006 was the date of my first treatment

How many actual treaments did you receive?
1 treatment thus far, my next is scheduled for June 1st

What color is the hair that was being treated?
Black

What color/shade is your skin?
I have a light skin complexion

Do you know what setting the technician used?
I want to say in the 20's but I'm not positive

What were/are your results?
SPECTACULAR! After just one treatment I am beyond pleased with the results.

How much did it cost?
$125 per session with a price break on the 5th & 6th treatment if needed

Would you do it again?
ABSOLUTELY! I anticipate my next appointment

Did insurance cover any of it?
I don't have insurance but I'm sure it wouldn't have been covered due to it being cosmetic.

LadyDionysus · 05-19-2006, 04:43 PM

[What kind of laser or IPL did you get?
I don't know the kind, but it seems to be an older model than what is being describd. It shot the laser and followed it with a shot of cold. It was pretty uncomfortable.

How long ago and for what duration?
This was December 2002, and in 6 weeks I recieved 6 treatments.

How many actual treaments did you receive?
6

Area treated?
Neck, Chin, moustache. She charged me seperately for each

What color is the hair that was being treated?
Dark and coarse hair, some has blonde roots but grows dark

What color/shade is your skin?
fair.

Do you know what setting the technician used?
16-18 if I remember correctly. The treatments were so close together, she was afraid of damaging the skin with settings too high

What were/are your results?
It worked for a while, but the growth came back within a few months.

How much did it cost?
All told, it was about $3000 for all three areas. It was a private practice, in a very wealthy area. My mom's friend recommended this technician, though, and we didn't know anything about anyone else or any other types.

Would you do it again?
I do want to give it a second shot. I think they qualities of the laser has improved, and knowing what I know now about hair growth cycles and having my hormones under control, I think I will be able to take a more active role in my treatment.

Did insurance cover any of it?
No, but it doesn't mean I won't try when I try laser again.

Comments:
I have gotten control of myself enough now that I want to try again. I am moving to Chicago in 2 weeks, and am hoping to find someplace to do treatments. I want to not think about shaving again!

annde · 07-01-2006, 04:44 PM

Let me first start by saying that I am a nurse and I work in a medspa and I actually perform the laser treatments and receive them. The lasers I use target pigment so the darker and coarser the hair, the better the results. I have treated many women with PCOS. Results vary from person to person depending on skin tone, hair color and hair texture.

What kind of laser or IPL did you get?
We have 3 different lasers for hair removal. A Yag laser that is safer for darker skin, a Diode that can be used for most skin types, and an Alexandrite that is good for the lighter skin and some that are borderline such as Asian, Hispanic and Middle Eastern. I use the Alexandrite laser.

How long ago and for what duration?
I started my treatments about a year ago and I am still being treated.

How many actual treaments did you receive?
I've received 5 treatments so far.

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

What color/shade is your skin?
According to the Fitzpatrick Scale I am a skin type III-IV. I am half Asian. I have skin that tans easily and only burns occasionally. I can get very pale in the winter months.

Do you know what setting the technician used?
All lasers are different. The Yag, Diode and Alexandrite do not use the same settings. They all fall differently on the wavelength. When using the Alexandrite, I start with a conservative setting based on the color of the hair, whether the hair is fine or coarse, and the clients skin tone. When the client returns for the next treatment, I increase their setting a little based on the information they give me (i.e. fall-out, swelling and redness that lasted more than 1 day after last treatment, sun exposure or obvious tanning.) My first 3 treatments I used the same setting with great results. I changed my 4th and 5th treatment settings because my hair became much finer. The finer the hair, the less pigment and the harder it is for the laser to "see" it...by changing the settings, I can treat the finer hairs.

What were/are your results?
I am very pleased with the results. I am also aware of the fact that I may need to have maintenance treatments for the rest of my life to maintain my results because of the PCOS. After 5 treatments, I can go 8 weeks without shaving (this is great considering I had so much facial hair that I was shaving twice a day). Also, the hair that is coming in is no longer coarse but fine.

How much did it cost?
I did not have to pay for the treatments since I work there. If you keep up with certain centers, they usually run a by one get one free special every few months. I think this is the best deal my center offers. A client may be able to buy the chin and get the upper lip for free and the cost is about $500 for a package deal of 5 treatments.

Would you do it again?
Yes.
Did insurance cover any of it?
N/A.

Ivy · 07-12-2006, 05:13 PM

Hello girls, it has been a long time since i came here last time. But this time i really needed to tell you all i an almost hairless, and my life has changed so, so much... Last year i started a new laser system that came and bet on it.. Well i am happy to tell you now, i am in my 7th laser session and i have almost nothing in all the areas i had hair... God that cost me alot, but it was worth it... My life just changed from the bottom to to the top, i am not in the other side yet, i dont know if this dream has an end, but i am so, so happy with it that i wanted to tell you all you have to try... I dont know if we can put brands here... and really dont know what type of laser do they use.. but the brand name is calle NEOSKIN and they have a web page... I dont know the name in the States, cause i am writting from Mexico, but iam sure is the same brand over there.. plss try i strongly recommend it.. you will see.. .Wow they should pay me for it.. but no i know what is like to have hair in the face (my mainproblem) and now i know how is not to have it.. So i am for now the Happiest woman on heart...

Love to All

ibcnuldu · 07-15-2006, 01:26 AM

What kind of laser or IPL did you get?
I have no idea. lol

How long ago and for what duration?
I started in late December. I'll probably do about 2 or 3 more procedures.

How many actual treaments did you receive?
5 so far

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

What color/shade is your skin?
very white >.>

Do you know what setting the technician used?
The first procedure he used a moderate setting, ever since he has been using the maximum. With my doctor's machine he says that he seems to have more success when he increases the power as soon as possible.

What were/are your results?
Hair has reduced dramatically. Used to have many dark, now there are very few dark hairs. I go once every 5 weeks and I only have to wax once in between.

How much did it cost?
$100 for first procedure, $85 for each after.

Would you do it again?
Yes, definitely.

Did insurance cover any of it?
Nope.

I got my throat and jawline done. My general practioner does it for me.

Issues?
I tend to get a lot of ingrown hairs along my jawline after the procedure. But I'd rather look like I have a little acne than the hair I used to have.

missdoodle_bug · 07-24-2006, 07:03 PM

Hi All
It's been a while since I posted. I thought you'd like a laser update.

I just had my 5th session and I am so very pleased with the results. I'm still having some growth in between treatments, but i only have to remove it every few days, even then it wouldn't be very noticable to anyone except myself.
My sessions are costing me 65 a treatment now and we are using a setting of 55. My tech wanted to go up and use some numbing gel, but I was afraid of burning. I will probably go up on the next round just so I can get my money's worth! I haven't had any problems at all, no burning or blisters. I do sometimes get a pimple or ingrown in the area lasered, but I'm like ibc above, it's worth it to be virtualy hair free

I LOVE LASER!

flubby · 08-06-2006, 01:30 PM

What kind of laser or IPL did you get?
Alexandria I think

How long ago and for what duration?
I started sometime in the early summer of 2005

How many actual treaments did you receive?
6

Area treated?
Neck, Chin, sides of face, moustache.

What color is the hair that was being treated?
Thick black

What color/shade is your skin?
Very pale. I had the perfect hair colour skin colour for my treatment. But I was getting desperate waiting as I am going grey.

Do you know what setting the technician used?
It wound up very high.

What were/are your results?
I had absolutely no hair after about 4 treatments. It was great I stopped wearing makeup and went camping and on holidays and it took me minutes rather than hours to get ready in the morning. Around the 6th treatment it grew back in and was soon black again. I also noticed scar marks after my 5th treatment, little pin holes in my skin. They said they were enlarged pores but it is scar damage.

How much did it cost?
£100 a session. A session lasted no longer than 4 mins!

Would you do it again?
Yes, but I am not sure if I can go without plucking again for the time needed.
Did insurance cover any of it?
Not at all. I am in the UK and my local NHS board does pay for laser in the hospital I was in so long as you have a PCOS medical diagnosis. They refused me though, they said my facial hair was not bad enough to qualify ( it is the worst my endo or the laser people have ever seen) and that I did not try enough cosmetic procedures ( I was spending at least 4 hours a day on cosmetic procedures) and that I had no psychological damage as a result of my cosmetic problem ( well I don't know what evidence they needed for that if I wasn't showing it). Am I bitter about this?

Comments:
Do it! Its worth it! Try it! Do it as often and as long as you can afford it and your skin can take it. It gives you your life back. You won't realise how much this hair limits your life until you don't have to think about it anymore. I was crazy happy for a few months. Kill those mother**k** hairs!
You really do have to stay out of the sun when you get this done. A reputable operator will refuse to treat you if you have a tan.
If you are in the UK get referred to a hospital. They are excellent, don't risk using a beauty salon you don't know how your skin will react.
If you are going to have this treatment don't do anything but shave for 6 weeks before your first treatment and during the whole treatment, that way you have a chance to get them all.
Burn em crisp em FRY EM!

jennyhuckabee · 08-26-2006, 03:54 AM

What kind of laser or IPL did you get?
(please include brand name or any info. you have)
Through American Laser Centers
How long ago and for what duration?
I am on my third treatment, every six weeks I receive one
How many actual treaments did you receive?
I have had 3 so far I will have 6 total when finished
What color is the hair that was being treated?
Black
What color/shade is your skin?
tan/medium
Do you know what setting the technician used?
she started out lower because in some places where there was alot of hair it HURT but some places it didnt, she upped it each treatment.
What were/are your results?
The results are AWESOME so far

. I have nearly no hair left and what hair there is, is so light that i dont feel self conscience any more and i only shave maybe 2 times a month now!
How much did it cost? 862 I think but i had a coupon... I was able to make payments. Thank goodness!

Would you do it again? MOST DEFINITLY!!!!!!!!I would be crazy if i said I wouldnt.. I dont get the where is your mustache, or why do you have a beard... mrs huckabee, girls arent supposed to have mustaches!

Did insurance cover any of it? No chance kinda ironic its cosmetic, but that kind of stress and emotional discomfort causes depressions and anxiety, they'll pay for drugs like that now wont they!!!

anala000 · 08-26-2006, 03:42 PM

What kind of laser or IPL did you get?
i had IPL..and not sure what brand

How long ago and for what duration?
mm..i've had about 6 treatments in the last year or so..i think it was july 2005..

How many actual treaments did you receive?
6 or 7 maybe..

What color is the hair that was being treated?
my hair ir black coz im asian...so it course too..n thick..

What color/shade is your skin?
im fair asian..

Do you know what setting the technician used?
im not sure about the setting but he used a mild/strong one..not too strong coz once i got burnt..well more like my skin had some marks..

What were/are your results?
hmm..the hair did lessen..but i hvnt done it in few months..n they r back again but not as much as before..but still thick to me..at first it looked like a lot of hair did disappear..but now after few months, most of the hair is growing back..maybe its pcos?

How much did it cost?
expensive...im not sure wabout the currency but it about 500 in my currency..

Would you do it again?
Yes..i need more treatments but if my hair just keeps growing than i ould reconsider..

Did insurance cover any of it?
nope

mommy2two2000 · 08-28-2006, 04:10 PM

What kind of laser or IPL did you get?
(please include brand name or any info. you have)
NOT SURE
How long ago and for what duration?
ON AND OFF FOR 8 YEARS
How many actual treaments did you receive?
ABOUT 2X'S A YEAR UNTIL 2005
What color is the hair that was being treated?
DARK
What color/shade is your skin?
FAIR
Do you know what setting the technician used?
NO
What were/are your results?
I think its alot of money to shell out so i only do it twice a year. I wax every week. In a perfect world, I would have it done 4 to 6 times a year.
How much did it cost?
$140 for chin and neck area
Would you do it again?
Yes...but would like to try some of these natural approaches.
Did insurance cover any of it?

A BIG FAT NO...this is the main reason I replied to this. It disgusts me that a man can go for a breast reduction and it's covered by insurance...but a women is fully bearded, and this procedure is "cosmetic". It makes me want to throw up!!!!!

lissy101 · 08-29-2006, 01:05 AM

hello everyone!
I am a 20 year old student suffering from facial hair growth. I can honestly say it is slowly ruining my life. I cry everyday about how I feel like a man and just go on and on about how I hate my face. All the women in my family are hairy but I ruined my face in 6th grade when I began shaving all my facial hair off( it was light peach fuzz) when kids were teasing me. Now i have to shave every day ( usually twice or three times) as not to have a full beard. I would give anything to go back to when I started shaving, and rip that razor out of my hand! I'm getting tested for pcos because I have a good feeling I have it, but i'm not sure. I start IPL treatments on Sept. 5th and I hope to God it works for me because this is making me suicidal. I also see a psychatrist because I feel like i'm not worth being alive sometimes because of this hairy monster face.

i need people to talk to about this.

joyblack · 08-29-2006, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lissy101

I am a 20 year old student suffering from facial hair growth. I can honestly say it is slowly ruining my life. I cry everyday about how I feel like a man and just go on and on about how I hate my face. All the women in my family are hairy but I ruined my face in 6th grade when I began shaving all my facial hair off( it was light peach fuzz) when kids were teasing me. Now i have to shave every day ( usually twice or three times) as not to have a full beard. I would give anything to go back to when I started shaving, and rip that razor out of my hand! I'm getting tested for pcos because I have a good feeling I have it, but i'm not sure. I start IPL treatments on Sept. 5th and I hope to God it works for me because this is making me suicidal. I also see a psychatrist because I feel like i'm not worth being alive sometimes because of this hairy monster face.

i need people to talk to about this.

Don't let it get you down. Shaving doesn't increase growth at all -- usually people shave because the growth has already increased and it goes on increasing -- as it would whether one shaved or not.

Try a Norelco electric razor from the men's range -- that should help.

When I was 19 I was shaving my moustache every day and I was totally flat-chested as well. If I'd cut my long hair I'd have been taken for a guy. But it didn't stop me marrying and having a large family. And yes, the guy I married knew from the outset that I was flat and had a moustache like a guy. He first met me when I was caught out without any padding and having not shaved for 24 hours, with coarse stubble on my upper lip.

I know I can't be feminine -- but I've still been able to have a great life.

88girl · 09-13-2006, 06:59 PM

I am in tears after reading all of these posts. I have felt so alone and ashamed of the terrible beard problem I've had since I was 20 (I'm now 35).

I have had 2 years of electrolysis about 10 years ago and laser treatments (about 6) about a year ago. My hair is mixed (some dark, some light) with fair skin. I don't remember the type of laser used, but I did think it helped at the time. I'm planning to go back.

The problem is: I have never been able to shave. I am so scared of the shadow and stubble that I pluck for like 30 minutes a day-maybe even more. This causes ingrowns, etc. and I am so fed up. I fear that part of the reason the laser didn't work better was b/c I "cheated" and plucked in between appointments a lot.

I'm determined to do it right sometimes to get my best results. What kind of razors have some of you used? what do you do about the stubble or shadow problems? Any tips to help me through this??

Joey's Mom · 10-08-2006, 04:39 AM

I really want to try Laser again. I did it about 6-7 years ago and I had a bad experience. I went to a plastic surgeon's office and I have my first treatment. (upper lip and chin) Everything was ok that time but the next time when she increased the watage I was severly burned. I have dark hair and olive skin. A couple of hours after I felt like my upper lip was swelling and it felt very hot. I put ice on it and I coudn't sleep all night. I kept ice on it all night and lucky for me the office was open on a Saturday. I called then and went in. The Doctor told me he has never seen anything like this before and even took pictures. I had little water blisters too. He gave me Spectro Gel and some cream and by the next day it was pretty much gone. The hair on my upper lip is definately improved because of being so burned and I had a little bit of scaring, (they gave me bleaching cream but I didn't really have to use it). i really want to try again especially now because I have some on my neck and those really make me self conscious. i also tried electrolosis and told her what happened and she did one hair and right away I had like a white pimple there so she told me not to do it. I am going to research it before hand and after the baby is born and I can lose some weight I am definately doing it again.

Sorry if it is too long.