Anyone had Laser Hair Removal?

[DonnaB 3]

Has anyone had laser hair removal? I'm considering it but I worry that I'll damage or disfigure my face. I'm looking at information on the internet but I'd like to talk to someone who has actually had it done.

[jude048 0]

I had my first laser hair removal treatment about 6 weeks ago. I was interested in my chin, under chin and upper lip. My doctor did not put any numbing substance on my and I wish that she had on the upper lip as it was sensitive and it hurt some. under chin and on my chin was not a problem. I had some slight redness immediately after but by the time made the 1 hour drive home that was gone. It took a few days for the hairs to fall out and some I helped with tweezers.

I was really amazed at how clean my face was and how smooth. I had an appointment to go back in exactly one month but I just didn't have enough growth - so I cancelled. I am definitely ready for a second treatment now and will make an appointment for next week.

This time I will ask for numbing cream on my upper lip.

I have had electrolysis and the laser is less painful and definitely easier.

[JulieLu 0]

I too had my first treatment about four weeks ago. I had my upper lip done only. It was VERY painful and I would recomend the numbing cream for the lip as well. I went to Sona Med Spa in Indianapolis. They have them all over and it was a very nice place.

[paula 4]

Yep!

Ive done this. My first treatment was around Feb. 05 - over a year ago. Ive had several treatments - SEVERAL. And like others have said, after 2 months I start seeing growth again. So as "permanent" as they say this type of hair removal is - its not!

Here's the link to the thread I started waaaay back.

http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=3488&highlight=laser+hair+removal

Let me also add that I went 9 months without a treatment (over the winter months). I was so discouraged at the amount of hair that had grown back. I asked the dermatologist (she does the treatments) - WHY WHY WHY so much re-growth after SO many treatments. She said that i have a hormone going wild.

whatever.

Its aggravating.

Im now considering the electrolysis treatments.

Alot cheaper.

[DonnaB 3]

Thanks Paula!

I've been looking online so I know it will take 5 treatments or more, and that some Hair growth will require regular maintenance. How is your hair growth percentage-wise? Are you back where you started or is it still better than it originally was? On that older thread you very much recommended the procedure - do you still?

Thanks for the thread - I should have done a search before I posted.

[paula 4]

How is your hair growth percentage-wise? Are you back where you started or is it still better than it originally was?

Yes, definately better then it originally was. By Far!

But, I think it depends on how long you go between zaps. After my 9 month winter hibernation, I would say that I had a 60% re-growth (more appearing each day). End of Feburary (after this long time) I had a treatment. It took about 2 weeks for me to notice that I didnt have black dots (or a shadow)under the skin. But -at this time- I also began seeing little hair sprouts shooting up here and there - so I just plucked those.

Then, by 6 weeks after this treatment I was back to shaving, so I went for another treatment.

This time I told the dermatologist that I was disappointed in how SOON I started seeing hair re-growth - and the quantity of it. So she increased the 'energy' level (alot of the outcome depends on this "energy level" stuff).

Ive had a much better results from this treatment. Im plucking a few strays daily.

Definately not like it was for my very first treatment. Back then my chin/neck hair even wowed the dermatologist and her techniction. How embarrasing!

Do I still recommend it???

Looking back, I think that if a woman has such a severe case of facial hair (like mine) then LHR would be a good way to start getting it under control. After its managable then maybe consider electrolysis??? I dunno.

Im like you, scared to think of what long term laser treatments to your face may do.

[Tricia K. 0]

I've had it done on my upper lip, the tops of my toes and my feet. I've had excellent results. I've had 2 treatments on my upper lip and I'm very pleased. The toes/feet thing was recent, so I'll be going back for my 2nd treatment in a few weeks when the new hair growth comes in.

Like someone else said, the level of power does make a difference. During my first treatment, the tech used a lower level for safety/testing reasons. Based on the results, she turned up the power for the 2nd treatment.

I wish you the best of luck!

[paula 4]

http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=13153&highlight=hair+removal

Here is another thread that LBT discussed LHR on....

[DevilMayKare 1]

This time I told the dermatologist that I was disappointed in how SOON I started seeing hair re-growth - and the quantity of it. So she increased the 'energy' level (alot of the outcome depends on this "energy level" stuff).

Okay, this is a little off topic--but in the general area as most places that do the laser removal also do the IPL treatment for age spots (also called--yuk!--liver spots). For anyone also looking into this... I had really bad spots & splotches on them forearms and hands. It really drove me crazy because I would have to look at my old looking skin while driving. I had an IPL treatment and it lightened the spots about 50%. (The first 2 weeks after this treatment my skin was swollen and looked worse than ever--then it all improves.)

Had another treatment an experienced no swelling or darkening--also no improvement.

So I went back for a third treatment and told her to zap me good as I didn't mind the pain, I just wanted these spots GONE.

*Whew* even w/ lidocain it hurt and that time my arms really looked like hell for about 3 weeks. BUt guess what? NOOOOOO SPOTS. Well, hardly any. My skin is just a little mottled, but definitely no spots.

So for me this was a great treatment. I really recommend it. Just make sure they give you a big enough zap. No pain, no gain (or loss)!

(Sorrry about the little hijack. I just didn't think this was worth a whole new thread.)