A sterm warning to anyone considering laser hair removal.

Hair Removal Methods Laser hair removal
#1

Hello,

I am a twenty-three year old male of Middle Eastern descent. I have a relatively light complexion with extremely dark facial hair. During the course of my eight treatments, I had high hopes for eliminating most of my unwanted facial hair, but problems compounded themselves henceforth.
At that time, there was nothing else I wanted more in the world then to get rid of my facial hair. It was the bane of my existence.

It has been nearly five years since I have completed my Laser Hair Removal regime, and my facial hair is as it was before my treatments. I suffered through unbearable, inhuman pain and spent nearly 1600 USD ($200 per treatment) for almost nothing.

However, I do not regret the monetary aspect of it in as much as the side effects that I believe I have suffered from my laser hair removal treatments. Hair is no longer my focus anymore. I have learned to cope with it, mainly with a steady regime of shaving with my Gillette Mach 3 and applying MiN Solution2 thereafter to prevent bumps and ingrown hairs.

My attention has now shifted to an issue of even greater importance: my skin. As I mentioned, I am 23 years old and I am already seeing extensive signs of aging, primarily around the eyes and sagging of my skin. Most people may be wondering if it may be attributed to overexposure to the sun. During my youth, I usually just stayed home out of the sun and I ate my mom’s healthy cooking.

Obviously, genetics is a major player in aging, but the extent of my premature aging leads me to conclude that my Laser Hair Removal treatment were mainly responsible. Overexposure to the sun (as I mentioned above) is the most common cause of premature aging; perhaps the lasers in these hair removal procedures have similar effect to the sun; I am not sure.

All I know is that my skin is aging at an incredible rate, mainly around my eyes and I wholeheartedly believe my laser hair removal procedure was the cause.

I know it is hard to accept your hair, but take it from someone whose been down that road before. Your skin is infinitesimally more important for your beauty as you age; take care of it and just shave your hair regulary.

You will avoid all of the misery that I am going through as I see myself aging years ahead of my friends, especially my Asian ones. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

#2

Did you have laser treatments done around your eyes?

RJC2001

#3

Did you have laser treatments done around your eyes?

RJC2001

Hello,

Although the focus of my laser hair treatments was towards my check and jaw area, the portion under my eyes were also treated. I remember seeing bright flashes of klight, despite the fact that I was wearing goggles, which I don’t believe helped one bit.

I’m not exactly sure what kind of laser machine was used during my tratments; it could’ve been an Alexandra (sp?)/Ruby laser or something. I am really not sure.

#4

In school, during the module on LASER treatments, we are told that the reason one needs 6 weeks out of the sun after a LASER treatment is because LASER treatment is like getting many sun burns in one shot. Any additional sun exposure to that increases the skin’s healing time outside of that. In addition to this, there are no long term studies yet to say what effect this will have on the skin decades later, although the sun burn analogy seems to suggest a direction.

#5

many sun burns in one shot.

Uh, and you don’t see anything wrong with this?

People, save your skin. Don’t do it.

#6

Isn’t it funny that lasers are being used to eradicate wrinkles and pigmented skin lesions with great results, and FDA approval.

#7

Are the lasers that are used for wrinkles and skin pigmentations the same as the lasers that are used for hair removal? Do they produce the same amount of heat at the same skin depth that is required for follicular destruction?

#8

Isn’t it funny that lasers are being used to eradicate wrinkles and pigmented skin lesions with… FDA approval.

With current headlines on Vioxx, Celebrex, and so on, do you really think that FDA allowance of something means you have an iron clad safe product? The FDA also once approved of X-Ray Hair Removal which later turned out to kill people from radiation poisoning. Even though FDA forced X-ray machines in hospitals to conform to a higher safety standard in the 30’s and 40’s, they did not alter the laws on X-ray hair removal, so in the 50’s people were having their jaw bones break, and their skin “melt” in the pursuit of beauty. (Do guys really perfer the hairless fallout victum look over the healthy toned ethnic hairy girls)The last X-ray hair removal machine was put to rest in the mid 70’s. The FDA is a weak control organization controlled by the industries it is supposed to be controlling. Only death gets their attention over profits.

Consumners are right to study all angles, and make informed decisions. Those who choose to go ahead with LASER treatment should do so knowing the full realistic potential for both good and bad outcomes. That is all this web site is about.

#9

Have you ever considered ALL the factors, first of all, which cause “premature aging” on your face? Given the fact that another reply from you in this section said something to the fact that you were going to “end it all” because of this problem with your skin gives me the impression that you have some deeper psychological issues, and with that usually comes a whole lot of stress - a HUGE factor of premature aging.
The fact that you are trying to instill fear into all of us who are, have had, or are considering laser therapy for one reason or another is just insane. Before you ramble on about how unsafe, and the “unbearable, inhumane pain” (what in the world is that about?) you really need to see a GOOD dermatologist to find the facts about aging.
I’m sorry this treatment did not work for you, but, there are many people who find great success with it, and have no reason to blame this type of treatment on all their other problems. Is this just a ploy to get everyone to do electrolysis as opposed to laser treatments? If so, I’ve got a story or two to tell about the pitfalls of electrolysis as well.

#10

I will categorically respond to your statements after I back from the gym.

#11

Is this just a ploy to get everyone to do electrolysis as opposed to laser treatments? If so, I’ve got a story or two to tell about the pitfalls of electrolysis as well.

I have no experiences with electrolysis, nor am I in any way associated with any such business.

My story is real. My case is real.

One side of my face has aged a little more than the other. (The right side more than the left). The subcutaneous fat layers around my right eye have succeeded noticeably more that that of my left.

Someone has done laser hair removal must have a similar situation.

The Laser Hair Removal procedure was done 5 years ago when I was 17 years of age (almost 18).

#12

I know this post is old
.
But I want to defend this woman. I am also very light skinned. I am the type of person that puts cream and looks at my face everyday. I did 2 sessions of laser. After the second treatment, I saw wrinkles! Smoker line wrinkles on my lip that were never there before. The laser caused premature ageing and volume loss. Doctors say it does not cause it…but that is a lie. I’ve found other people talking about volume and collagen loss after laser. I wish I would of known before I did the laser. The above poster saying this woman is crazy and delusional trying to get people to get away from laser…thats extremely rude. We obviously feel horrible having premature ageing on our face after been told laser is safe. It’s not. I agree, don’t do laser on your face.