Hirsute has been my middle name since I was about fourteen years old. Cursed with a full, considerably masculine beard, I have had to do daily removal since my early years of high school - not fun. It started with plucking (became unreasonably long), went to glorified sandpaper (scraped my face off) and for the last five or so years, has been shaving.
About two years ago I decided to try laser hair removal. At first, it seemed like I was having success. The hair would slow down in growth, but I felt better, despite still shaving every day. However, over two grand later (and my spa closing down), I realized that the moment I stopped paying was the moment it stopped working. Feeling like the lady I was seeing had not sufficiently worked with me, I located her former partner and tried her out.
WOW.
I found what worked, at least for me. The key is strength AND duration. Whereas my first gal spent about fifteen minutes on a setting that barely shocked me, this lady spends a good hour on my face, giving out 250 separate hits. It is believed I have a very high pain tolerance due to a collagen disorder - Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome type Hypermobility. One of its VERY FEW benefits is that I am able to handle a one second delay on the machine, which again seems to have really helped.
Bottom line: In the last four months, I have had two sessions.
The results: I have several "holes" of no growth on my face the size of a quarter, the entire face has thinned to probably half of what it was at its height of thickness and shaving takes a couple of minutes instead of twenty. This after TWO SESSIONS.
I believe that in two to three more sessions, I will no longer need to shave. I fully expect to need touch-up sessions, but let me tell you, after over a decade of shaving, waxing, sandpapering and/or plucking, this is an amazing feeling. I actually wake up in the morning, and yes parts of my face are rough, but just as much of it is still soft.
My advice to those seeking laser treatments is to find someone who really understands the hormonal aspect of your condition and is willing to work with you on that. The reality for me is that, yes, it certainly does hurt to have burst after burst for an hour. And yes, my face swells like a pumpkin for about six days. But, if I have to lose a week of my life (by hiding out - lol!) every couple of months in order to quit shaving, BRING IT ON.
__________________ DX:
EDS: 9/05
PCOS: 4/06
High blood pressure: 7/07
PrettyinPink I'm so happy for you, that's great. I haven't got v.bad hirutism, just enough to keep me plucking and waxing way more than gals who haven't got PCOS. Great to hear of your success!
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31 yrs, 173 cms, cw 66 kgs, gw 59 kgs.
Metformin (Glucophage), 1700 mg, Folic Acid 800mg, Zinc 30mg, tbsp apple cider vinegar w/water 1-2 times daily
It's good to hear a success story...I start my course tomorrow. I am a little nervous though. The only thing is that before I plucked hair on my chin and now I have to shave it...I hate it I feel like a man.....but as my laser lady said...'not for much longer'
Congrats! that really makes me want to go out and find the lady that did mine a few years back and tell her she owes me. Lol. now I really want to go find a new lady to do my treatment and actually for once in 5+ years not have to shave my face.
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DX: 2007
On 2000mg Metformin
Jonathon To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Alexandra
Hang in there ladies and keep posting your results. I have quite a bit of "light fur" on the sides of my face I wouldn't mind disposing of, but it's a $ thing. So I'll be reading all your posts and taking notes so that when I do have enough $, I can make sure I find someone who can zap off that hair! Im tired of throwing money down the drain trying to fix all the PCOS related symptoms (for me, acne is the biggest and ugliest prob, hirutism is 2nd and not so pronounced).
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31 yrs, 173 cms, cw 66 kgs, gw 59 kgs.
Metformin (Glucophage), 1700 mg, Folic Acid 800mg, Zinc 30mg, tbsp apple cider vinegar w/water 1-2 times daily
Good for you! I had laser for six months and it reduced some of the hair. I was supposed to get it done for a year but we moved from that city before my laser treatments were over.
__________________ I'm 28 and ttc #1.
Symptoms: Alopecia, acne, hirsutism, slight weight gain, and possibly anovulation.
Pretty, that is awesome that laser hair removal worked for you! I hear the commercials everyday on my way to work, but usually dismiss them after considering the time and money. If you don't mind me asking, how much did the treatments set you back? DH and I are already financially strapped paying for all of the infertility treatments.....
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Renee & Greg ~ both 27 ~ married 4/23/05
PCOS & Hypothyroidism
TTC#1- 1 year
PCOS dx at 9 months
Cycle #1-Clomid - 50mg, no response
Cycle #2- Clomid- 100mg + Ovidrel 10/25- BFN!
Cycle #3- Clomid 100mg started 11/13 To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Come on perfect little angel, mom & dad are waiting for you! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
It WORKED. 
I feel like a man.....but as my laser lady said...'not for much longer'
