Advice on botched beard laser

[hairb]

Hi all
Just hoping for some advice on a terrible idea I had
Just like many others come to this forum I was ill informed after starting laser hair removal on my facial hair/beard
I had a thick dense beard with curly hair that was a pain to manage (was using Tretinoin cream, salicylic acid, and physical scrubs to prevent in growns) as was desperate for relief.

I now see this was a terrible idea and hoping to salvage what I can

Here is a summary of treatments I have had
28 June face and neck candela gentalase YAG
13 Jul face and neck candela gentalase YAG
27 Jul face and neck candela gentalase YAG
10 Aug face candela gentalase - YAG
These were at a chain laser salon which was my first mistake

at this point only my cheeks had cleared, I went to find a more reputable laser clinic

31 Aug Light Sheer Diode laser
After this I got a severe acne reaction from the ejected follicles, only some of the hair on the edges of my jaw and lower neck line cleared

At this point I went to a cosmetic physician to get a better laser to treat the leftover hair
30 Oct Cutera Excel V just on the neck, chin and jawline remaining, sparing moustache
7 Nov face, checks and neck, sparing moustache
5 Dec face , cheeks and neck, sparing moustache

I’ve attached some photos of what it looks like 4 weeks after my last treatment with the Cutera Excel.

My current plan is to wait 3 months to see what grows back, maybe even 6 months, and see if an electrologist can even out any spots.

I just wanted to get some advice on my situation, which I should have got before I started this.

Do I have any hope of evening it out? Thoughts?

[Thermo]

I only ever recommend laser on facial hair for people who want to eventually remove all the hair for exactly this reason. Laser cannot pick and choose which follicles to target.

You’ll probably see some of the patches start to fill in up to 9 months after your last treatment, but I think it’s likely your hair density will still look a bit uneven. Definitely wait it out to see what happens as you might be fine with the end result without needing anything further.

At that point, an electrologist can of course help to even out the density by removing hairs in the denser areas. The results will all depend on how much hair density returns 9 months from now. If almost nothing returns, that would require more thinning in all other areas, and you may not be aesthetically pleased with this result. Either way, I would also suggest you consider to just remove everything on the neck below the jawline.

[thinou]

To be honest, u hv had too many sessions for LHR and still have too many hair left.
Please find a therapist who can permanently remove nearly all of your hair within 4-6 LHR treatment sessions.

Popular Q & A for Laser Hair Removal

[Hairadicator]

A situation like this can be fixed by a skilled electrologist. For optimum effect, laser hair removal treatments need to be scheduled according to the hair growth cycle. Sadly many clinics recommend a treatment every 3-4 weeks which is too soon (beard treatments need to be scheduled once every 6-8 weeks). Each treatment needs to be followed up by a mini treatment or reshoot 7-10 days later to zap missed areas. Most clinics have never heard of a reshoot. Not doing reshoots to hit missed areas and scheduling treatments at the wrong frequency will result in what is known as “blotchy beard.”

[Jdesloges]

I think you’re on the right path here. Wait 6 months and see what grows back then start electrolysis. Be careful of your choice of an electrologist. I specialize in beard removal and it is challenging. The electrologist has to be very accurate or you can experience over treatment and adverse side effects due the density of the work. Make sure your not feeling a tweezing sensation as the hairs are being removed.

[Joyce]

Sorry about the blotchy look but that can happen when the technician has no aesthetic or cosmetic training regarding beard removal. You cannot thin a beard with laser and have it appear even. I will only work on a full beard for total removal and for specific area removal such as the neck line. Then it doesn’t start from the jaw line but from where the neck and base of jaw connect. I often get my clients to get their beards freshly done by their barber/stylist to make sure of what areas they want removed. Your technician did a very blotchy job, it’s not even and no thought was put into what it would look like after. I would continue the neck line as that will clean up that area and help with ingrown hairs. Often after the shape wanted has been achieved, I finesse the area using Electrolysis. It is an art working with beards. Not all Electrologists and Laser technicians have the aesthetic eye for seeing the finished work and the balance that is needed. Just let it grow in. Most will fill in and find an experienced professional to work with. Wishing you the best.