Those that had successful laser hair removal results

volcano · 05-23-2007, 04:16 PM

I'm going to have laser hair removal done on my upper lip and chin in about 3 weeks, and I know that until then, I can't wax, pluck, or bleach the hair. So what am I supposed to do in the meanwhile? Not many people can even tell I have facial hair because I always remove it completely, and I do not want them to think otherwise now. I just want to manage the appearance of the hair, but also I want optimal results during the hair removal. Those of you who had good laser hair removal results- what did you do? How much hair growth did you have on the day of the laser hair removal- and what methods did you use to control the hair growth up until then??? I would appreciate your input... I'm so anxious about this $$$ procedure after reading people's different experiences with it...

AFuzzyLop · 05-23-2007, 04:22 PM

You are allowed to shave.

volcano · 05-23-2007, 04:55 PM

My mom doesn't want me to shave bc she thinks the hair will then grow beard-like. And no matter how many people say it's a myth that shaving causes hair to grow thicker, I see results that suggest that it does. Anyhoo, I may just have to shave. Do I also shave right before the laser hair removal date or do I let a week or a few days to go by without shaving to have some hair growth for the laser machine to work on???

RosieCheeks · 05-23-2007, 05:03 PM

I just had my first laser hair removal appointment in April and the first thing that they told me was that the only thing that I was allowed to do was shave. They also made me shave on the morning that I went in.

If you shave regularly, you won't have a beard. My next appointment is in June and to be honest with you, I actually have less hair already. I only shave once every week and a half.

If you have any other questions just let me know...

RunnerDuck · 05-23-2007, 06:48 PM

I have had several laser treatments on my chin. I'm kind of resigned that I will need them a few times a year forever - I don't think the hair will ever be gone for me.

I used to be a plucker and I switched to shaving and seriously it is so much better. I can get it ALL at once. Not have some too short to pluck. No red ingrown irritation. I just do a quick swoop over my chin whiskers, dry, and it works just fine for me. It has not made the hair any worse and it has made my skin a lot better.

I think I resisted shaving for so long because I felt like, as long as I can handle it by plucking, it's not "that bad" like shaving was the final outpost of turning into a man or something... but oddly I feel more feminine since shaving since seriously it looks so much better. Who knew?

volcano · 05-23-2007, 07:44 PM

Thank you all for your responses.

Runnerduck, is your hair blonde? I can see how shaving can be better for lighter haired chicas.

I guess the question I have now is: Do you need any amount of hair/stubble left for the laser to work on? Or is it better to have the chin/upper lip clean-shaven?

mlbarry · 05-23-2007, 08:41 PM

I have had LHR. For me it has been an on going process and I think that if I want to have success with it I will have to continue the treatments for as long as I have PCOS...forever! I have had much success with it, and it is totally worth it.

I started LHR about 10 years ago. I started out going once a month for three months and then just going for maintenance treatments as needed. My maintenance treatments use to have to be one every three months, then every 6 months, and now I only have one treatment a year.

My hairs grows really fast so I ususally only have about 1 weeks worth of growth when I am lasered. My hair is dark and it is noticeable but I just deal, that's the best advice I can give. For me it was so worth it to have some hair for a week once I seen the results of the laser.

My dr told me that having some growth helps the lasering work better. He described it to me...but that was a while ago!

Be prepared that it is uncomfortable. I have the entire 'beard area" of my face including my upper lip done. The lip is the worst for me!

GL! LHR is expensive, but SO worth every single penny!! If you have any other q's feel free to pm me.

RunnerDuck · 05-23-2007, 11:05 PM

I feel weird saying this because it is the total opposite of what Monica said, but this is my experience.

When they actually do the procedure, every place I have gone (4 of them) they actually shave you before they laser you. The way it works is, the laser "sees" the pigment in the hair follicle and destroys it. It's not like the laser travels along the hair like current along a wire. If there is hair growth on the skin at the time, it will actually distract the laser from doing its job, so to speak. That's how I understand it.

So my advice is, don't shave a day or two beforehand - you want enough that they can see where the real problem areas are but that's all you need - you don't need growth that can be seen at 20 paces. They will probably shave you before beginning the treatment anyway and they will probably kind of go all over the area but it helps for them to know where the worst spots are.

But you know it could very depending on the type of laser used, for all I know, so call the place that will be doing you and ask them.

I don't know what color to say my hair is. My HEAD hair is that nasty in-between blonde and brown color. My chin hair, however... some of it is black. And some of it looks blonde/colorless in some lights but brown from a different angle. You can definately see dark stubble if I let myself go. But luckily I don't have a full beard and it is for the most part under my chin so that helps some, I guess. Kind of on the side of the bottom edge, if that makes sense... and underneath.

And yeah the procedure hurts... again this varies depending on type of laser. With one type I had, it felt like a rubber band snapping against the skin. With another, it feels like grease spattering.

Be prepared for WEIRD regrowth for a week or so after. My experience is, I always think that this time, it didn't work. The hair seems to keep growing - and it has a weird "exploded" texture so it is hard to shave. But what is really happening is the skin is "ejecting" the hair from the follicle. After a few days, you will be able to sort of pluck them lose with your fingernails. DON'T use tweezers. Once you have embarked on laser, try not to go back to plucking with tweezers. If you can get it out with your fingers, it is ready to come out and no big deal to help it out. But if it won't either it's just not ready or it's a follicle they didn't get - they can only get follicles that are active at the time. Once all the hairs have worked their way out, you will have nice skin for a fairly long time.

AFuzzyLop · 05-24-2007, 12:18 AM

Ditto to runnerduck. My place was like 'please shave prior' but they always go over me with a bic so I usually don't bother. I want them to see where the hair is coming in.

The actual procedure for me is about 10 minutes. I get my upper and lower lip and chin. It feels like you are getting snapped by a rubber band and does burn a bit. I just grin and bear b/c the sooner done, the better.

I always carry a little aloe cooling creme in the car to apply on the way home for a bit (like the sunburn kind). Within a 1/2 hr still red but no pain

AFuzzyLop · 08-11-2007, 12:56 PM

I just came back from my 6th Laser hair removal treatment. It went well. She really upped the power on me which is what I wanted. ALSO since my first treatment was low power she set me up for a FREE 7th treatment. woohoo I love this place so if you ever need/want/to try and live in Philadelphia/SE PA/NJ area check it out!!!!

It is azani medical spa

Calebs_Mum · 08-12-2007, 09:04 AM

Its good to hear that the laser treatment is working for you. I am going to reward myself with laser treatment, when I loose 25kgs. I am so sick of waxing/shaving/plucking my face.