Hasmik Posted April 27, 2005 Posted April 27, 2005 I am snow- white type: white skin - dark hair. I always struggled from shaving or epilating. So from last November I have decided to go for laser. I did go already 4 times . I am really disappointed. Not sure if I should go also 5th time. There is some hair reduction but…it slowly comes back and it is not worth of the money! They can think of all kind of methods to change any body part, but cannot think of a method to remove stupid hair? Anyone had any experience with it?
laRubiaBonita Posted April 28, 2005 Posted April 28, 2005 i have always been interested in laser hair removal, but never done anything with that interest. i know dark hair usually is thicker, coarser, and there are more hair folicals, as oppoosed to lighter colored hair. so it could be that you just hair more hair folicals to destroy, thus making your number of sessions more than normal. You may want to ask the clinic if this is "normal", or even if women with darker complexions have numerous sessions. Luckily, as we age, the number of "active" folicals decreases.....so maybe when you are 60 you will never need to shave!
Author Hasmik Posted April 28, 2005 Author Posted April 28, 2005 I am on exactly half a way! I would really love to hear that someone went till the end and had say 70% reduction. I have maybe 50% reduction but I am afraid that they are coming back too. As last three times they all came back really slowly. I think it would be cheaper and easier to get new boobs than to get rid of those.
Miss_Prolixity Posted April 28, 2005 Posted April 28, 2005 There are a few medications that can slow or eliminate hair growth. Especially for women who have hirsutism (excessive hair growth). One is called Spironolactone and the other is Metformin. Usually these are presribed for women who have the disorder PCOS (poly cystic ovarian syndrome) but they're also prescribed for women who have more testostrone and androgen levels, thus, making them produce more hair than the average female. I, too, have had laser hair removal. I've had around six treatments. And even though there's a reduction in hair loss, it's definitely not permanent.
agnf666 Posted April 28, 2005 Posted April 28, 2005 Ever since that woman died from the chemical they gave her to put on before theHair Laser removal I wouldn't get that done. My thing is it all would have to go not just 70%. That sucks...
HotCaliGirl Posted April 28, 2005 Posted April 28, 2005 I've gone for several treatments over the past few years - Underarm, bikini area, legs, etc. and have spent a lot of time and money on it yet I still shave! The hair is reduced, but I would say by 40% at most in my case. When I told the doctor I was skeptical that there would come a time when all the hair was permanently gone and was thinking of stopp9ing the treatments, he showed me his wife's legs - they were silky smooth and free of hair and he said she hasn't shaved in yeasrs...who knows how many treatments she had though. I have very white, fair skin which is beneficial for these treatments. The doctor says he can put the beams at a higher level and get more done, whereas someone with dark skin would be more sensitive to the lazer and they have to put it on a lower setting and they would need many additional treatments. I didn't know a lady died from the topical cream they apply before the treatment - helps to numb the skin. In the beginning I didn't use the cream and it was SO painful - ouch, especially in the underarm region and vaginal area - ouch ouch and ouch. I think people die from almost everything out there - even antibiodics, chemo, etc. so you have to take risks in life if you want any rewards back.
agnf666 Posted April 28, 2005 Posted April 28, 2005 Actually that cream that they put on to numb the skin before Laser Treatment (lidocaine )is being blamed for two deaths. That is horrible. Since majority of you that have posted say that you still have to shave after spending all that money that is horrible.
HotCaliGirl Posted April 29, 2005 Posted April 29, 2005 That IS horrible. My doctor hadn't even told me about this, first time I'm hearing about it and he knows how concerned I am about my health. I resorted not to use the cream initially so that I wouldn't expose my skin to toxic chemicals but finally I gave in after some painful treatments.
agnf666 Posted April 29, 2005 Posted April 29, 2005 The amout you pay for the laser treatment you could spend on razors and shaving gel. Since you still have to shave anyways.
Author Hasmik Posted April 29, 2005 Author Posted April 29, 2005 Originally posted by agnf666 Ever since that woman died from the chemical they gave her to put on before theHair Laser removal I wouldn't get that done. My thing is it all would have to go not just 70%. That sucks... I never heard of that. There was no chemical used in my case, just plain laser. I was thinking to purchase a small laser hair-removal machine and do it at home. What you girls think? The slow ones are much cheaper than say 4 many-area-treatments.
HotCaliGirl Posted April 29, 2005 Posted April 29, 2005 How mjuch do those machines cost? My treatments are $450/visit every two to three months...
Author Hasmik Posted April 29, 2005 Author Posted April 29, 2005 Originally posted by agnf666 The amout you pay for the laser treatment you could spend on razors and shaving gel. Since you still have to shave anyways. It is not about money, with razor my skin is not soft enough and I get ingrown hair and red points. My hair have very strong structure which is looking good on my head but nowhere else. Imagine the time you save on shaving!
Author Hasmik Posted April 29, 2005 Author Posted April 29, 2005 Originally posted by HotCaliGirl How mjuch do those machines cost? My treatments are $450/visit every two to three months... My case was 400. I am small. starting 1200 ...But with cheap ones it takes forever to do it.
Author Hasmik Posted April 29, 2005 Author Posted April 29, 2005 Originally posted by Miss_Prolixity There are a few medications that can slow or eliminate hair growth. Especially for women who have hirsutism (excessive hair growth). One is called Spironolactone and the other is Metformin. Usually these are presribed for women who have the disorder PCOS (poly cystic ovarian syndrome) but they're also prescribed for women who have more testostrone and androgen levels, thus, making them produce more hair than the average female. I, too, have had laser hair removal. I've had around six treatments. And even though there's a reduction in hair loss, it's definitely not permanent. Will I loose also my head-hair with that medication? What do you mean it is not permanent? Do you mean whatever I have lost will come back once?
curiousnycgirl Posted April 29, 2005 Posted April 29, 2005 I have had laser hair removal on my chin, neck and underarms and am now getting it done on my bikini area. I would say I have had a 90%+ reduction on my chin/neck and perhaps a 60-70% reduciton on my underarms. I was not all that pleased with my first technician and have now switched to a new clinic for the bikini area. Although I am not thrilled with the results under my arms, the hair is definitely much thinner and far less. I will probably finish off that area after I'm done with my bikini are at the new clinic. I am very pleased with the new clinic - although I've only had 2 treatments, results have been better than expected! Some things to think about would be: 1. Are they using the right frequencies? Not high enough is the equivelant to aromatherapy (although not as nice) 2. How frequently are you being treated? Unless there is regrowth - there is no point in being treated (that was my issue with the first place). As far as the deaths are concerned - the first case the woman used emla which contains lidocaine amoung other things. Emla is very safe when used on small areas - I believe she was using it on a large portion of her skin. At that level it can be deadly. The second case I believe he had taken valium, something else, then had emla spread over his entire tee shirt area - when the doctor returned, he was dead. Bottom line here folks - be an educated consumer! Yes it is expensive and yes it IS PAINFUL - you have to assess if it is worth it to you, and if you are getting what you pay for.
Miss_Prolixity Posted April 29, 2005 Posted April 29, 2005 Hello Hasmik, I was on Spironolactone and Metformin for polycystic ovaries (most of which caused my excessive hair growth). During the time I took these prescribed medications, I definitely noticed my hair was finer and there was a reduction (arms/legs). The hair on my head was fine, I never noticed any hair loss. Although, I can't speak for everyone. As for the results not being permanent, I was talking about laser hair removal. The treatments I've had gave me improvement, but they weren't lasting. Most of my hair grew back - although there is definitely a small reduction. I'm sure it varies for each person though. I've heard of many women (men too) who have had tremendous success. I'd say hormones play a huge roll in excessive hair growth and loss.
goodnbad Posted April 29, 2005 Posted April 29, 2005 I looked into getting this procedure done several years ago, but due to cost, thought I'd wait it out a few years til the fad wore off and it would become cheaper! Which, BTW, I noticed that it has become somewhat more affordable, so I've been tempted. Anyhow, what I was told by the technician: You shouldn't expect it to be permanent unless you have been getting regular treatments at the required time periods. This means, if you are supposed to go in three months for a second treatment, you must go, not put it off for 6 months. Hair also grows in cycles, so although you have had treatments for, say, 5 months, yes, you will see hair growing again since it is now NEW hair in its growing stage that you are seeing, NOT the now defunct hair roots that you had treated previously. This is why you can't just go once or twice and be done forever, you have to treat the hairs that are in their growth stage, the others you won't get til they're active. Also, the best people to get it done are those with light skin and dark hair. The laser picks up on the melatonin in the hair follicle better in these cases. Also, you do not have to let your hair grow out when it is being treated, the laser can pick up stubble just as easy, however, you should not use dipilatory creams. And you should not allow the skin you are going to have treated get tanned before you go, as this affects the amount of contrast your hair will have in relation to skin colour and may affect the pigmentation. You should also get in writing that you are guaranteed a suitable amount of reduction, and that the clinic will redo you for free within a year's time if you are not happy. Go somewhere else if they cannot promise results. Sometimes cheaper isn't better. And like someone else mentioned, there are differences in intensity and even types of laser they can use, so go in there informed about what they are using and why. As for using the emla cream, having it put on large areas doesn't seem very wise for any procedure. But then again, people have died from touching rubber gloves, smelling peanut butter, etc. It doesn't necessarily mean people should totally avoid such things. Perhaps the unlucky ones out there had an unknown allergy? goodnbad
beesknees Posted April 29, 2005 Posted April 29, 2005 I have always been interested in laser hair removal, so thank you for sharing your experiences. Do they take pictures of the areas you are having lasered to document progress? Because I want personal parts lasered (like bikini line), and I definitely don't want pictures taken.
Author Hasmik Posted April 30, 2005 Author Posted April 30, 2005 Thanks girls for interesting info! I will keep going I guess. Last time I was there, I was so upset. I have nice eyebrows that I get lot of compliments about. I tweeze a few hairs above it usually. I thought it would be great to get rid of those too. I told him if it is going to cause a problem to my eyebrows, then I DON'T WANT IT! So he put some white plaster on my eyebrows and did it really fast. After the session I was terrified. A good portion of my eyebrow was gone. He said not to worry, it will come back. So I had to use a pencil for couple of weeks. But it is not totally back yet, few hair are missing. I have always been interested in laser hair removal, so thank you for sharing your experiences. Do they take pictures of the areas you are having lasered to document progress? Because I want personal parts lasered (like bikini line), and I definitely don't want pictures taken. No pictures will be taken at all, at least my case it wasn't. No one have a right to take your pictures if you don't want anyway. I did bikini line too. I wish the doctor was a female. It is so embarrassing.
goodnbad Posted May 1, 2005 Posted May 1, 2005 Wow, the place where I went for a consultation and a free sample (a small test patch done) was ALL women techs. I can't imagine that the place would do that well if it were all male technicians. I for one would not want a man doing my private areas, too embarrassing! Hasmik, what do you mean, he put plaster stuff on your eyebrows? You mean to cover the part he wasn't doing? Or on the hair to be removed? Are you sure you weren't having a waxing done? The laser procedure here in Canada for eyebrows is that they have a very small, pencil-thin type wand they can use that only directs light at very tiny spots if that is what is needed. I don't understand why they would have to cover other areas unless they are using a wand that is for larger areas? Very strange. Have you looked into getting your hair removal done somewhere else? beesknees, hmmm, I would personally walk out of any clinic where they insisted on taking pics. Definitely a fishy thing, that. But if you wanted to chart your own progress, there is nothing wrong with taking a few private pics yourself and then looking back on them in a year, after treatments. That's a great idea! Some reputable clinics might ask for pics with your consent, so that they can use them for educational or advertisement purposes. Actually, if you look up laser hair removal, many websites will have before and after pics. goodnbad
Author Hasmik Posted May 1, 2005 Author Posted May 1, 2005 My one is not even technician, he is a doctor; several degree certificates are on the walls. That was the only nearby clinic that I found on Internet. He says that his machine is one of the latest and is very expensive one. The ones that you are talking about are the old machines, you can buy those for starting at 1000$ for home use. I cannot post web-sites here, but you can give a goggle search on “laser hare removal equipment”, several sites will come up. He does my legs, hands; well every possible parts of body in two hours. With slow machines it will take several visits and will be very expensive. This one does 3 on 5 cm part (I think; it is about size of box of matches) at a time. He just covered my eyebrows with something white not to get light on it. It probably just moved from a very small part, so the hairs were gone. In the end he said: oh I am sorry I had to have my finger on it too.
goodnbad Posted May 1, 2005 Posted May 1, 2005 Originally posted by Hasmik My one is not even technician, he is a doctor; several degree certificates are on the walls. In the end he said: oh I am sorry I had to have my finger on it too. WTF!!!!!!!!!? Obviously the amount of certificates on his wall is not any indication that he knows what the heck he's doing or even should be doing it. What, he FORGOT to cover your eyebrow? My opinion, get the heck outta there and don't go back. Maybe next time, you'll walk out missing half a head of hair.....that would be, permanently missing hair. Nice. "Ooops, sorry" just doesn't cut it! goodnbad
Author Hasmik Posted May 5, 2005 Author Posted May 5, 2005 Thanks dear! At least someone understand my frustration. He was lucky to do it to me. Done it to say my husband's ex, she would pull her soda on his face and sue him. I have some progress from laser. Still never gone for the 5th time. Before I would shave every 2nd or 3rd day. Now I don't shave regularly. I wear shorts or short skirts every day and all i need to do is pickup in shower some hair here and there. I don't really see progress in bikini line or underarm. But legs look fine. It is just not 5 time treatment as they say. It will take much more! And the next thing I am concerned is that it is yet new done, about two months last time, so I am worried that it all will come back. I will keep you updated. And please share your experience with us!
HotCaliGirl Posted May 5, 2005 Posted May 5, 2005 It will take a lot more than 5 treatments for the hair on your legs to be PERMANENTLY gone. At least for me it did, then several months later some of it grew back...but of course it's better than before and I go whenever I have time, it's been a few years of treatments!!! I wonder if he could put it on a different setting to get more results? Can't trust these plastic surgeons.... He said he did a cheek lift for Nicole Kidman and lazer hair removal on her too...and a few other procedures he wouldn't tell me but was trying to sell a cheek procedure on me when I really don't need one... That made me want to switch doctors. He is always trying to sell procedures like a salesman so I'm like, I don't wan to go through that every time I go to his office.
Author Hasmik Posted May 5, 2005 Author Posted May 5, 2005 but was trying to sell a cheek procedure on me when I really don't need one... Oh no, mine was good at least on that. I asked him what age people start doing it (was curious) and he told me to come back in 20-25 years. I am 30. He said only people who smoke and drink a lot need it earlier. Youngest he did ever was in 40's.
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