Afraid of Laser Hair Stimulation

Hair Removal Methods Laser hair removal
#1

Hey all!

I am new to this forum and looking for a bit of guidance.

A little background. I had pretty bad hormonal acne around 18 which was around the time that I noticed my ‘baby hairs’ in certain places (ie. chin and sideburns) get a little too long for my liking. I had the brilliant idea to pluck them and have since then had a problem with dark coarse hairs. I am now 21 and sick and tired of nair-ing and plucking which has given me hyperpigmentation and bumps so I turned to find a place that offers electrolysis. I chose electrolysis because I had heard of laser causing hair stimulation in people of my ethnicity and skin type and hyperpigmentation, and I just didn’t want to risk it.

However, I had my consultation today with a very pleasant lady and she said that I should actually consider laser. She told me that it would work much better for me and would be more cost-effective. During our conversation, she also told me that laser can cause laser hair stimulation and explained how she prevents this in her patients. I felt comfortable with her and bought a package deal of 6 sessions for the sideburns, chin and upper lip (of which I actually don’t have much of a problem, but she said I might as well get rid of it while I’m at it). My only concern is that she pointed out that my upper cheeks have unnoticeable hair, but she wants to work through the lower half of my cheeks because the hairs there are a bit darker. I honestly don’t find any problem there nor do I notice hairs, but I’m not sure if I should just go along with it or not.

So, it looks like I now have myself headed down the route of laser and I keep reading about laser hair stimulation and the last thing I want is to end up with a bigger problem than what I started with. Any help on this issue, whether I should be worried or not, etc. is greatly appreciated! I have never done any sort of hair removal of this length so I am a bit anxious.

I have attached pictures, so hopefully, you all can see them and get an idea of what I’m working with! It’s so hard to upload these, they make me cringe :frowning:

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#2

I would not do laser with that skin tone. Paradoxal laser Hair stimulation is most definitely a thing you should be worried about.The few course hairs from plucking will dwindle quickly with electrolysis.

#3

From my experience, there is a real risk for you to get stimulated hair growth. Minimising the risk strategies are to keep to the patches with coarse hair and to cool the skin well after treatment with laser, but the trouble is that after a treatment or two, all hair will appear fine and it would be difficult to say where were the original patches. That’s how people end up with their whole faces lasered followed by stimulated growth. So, it’s up to you to make sure you don’t let your tech treating anything she shouldn’t. But, frankly, you haven’t got that much hair that laser is the more cost-effective way. I would have gone straight with electrolysis. I only ever consider laser first on full male beard.

#4

I am in total agreement with you, Geri. Great advice!

#5

Hey I’m not an expert but trust me these people are right. Don’t let her do areas that don’t need it and don’t bother you. Your hair is so less. Laser will probably stimulate hairs in areas there are none. THat happened to me and now I’m doing electrolysis. Try to look for an Electrologist instead. If you’re in the Uk go to the BIAE website to find a professional. Good luck and take care :).

#6

I wonder?

It could be that, for some reason, the electrologist did not want to work on you? Perhaps you were too nervous, anxious, asked too many questions, were fearful or expressed unreasonable concerns about scars, etc.

Indeed, you are the perfect candidate for electrolysis; and 90% of all of electrologists do cases like yours all the time. Suggesting that you have laser is a cowardly way to not take you on as a client. My opinion anyway.

#7

Absolutely do NOT do laser!!

#8

Quite the opposite. Went in, she looked at the hair growth asked me why I wanted to do electrolysis, I told her what I had researched. She told me laser would be quicker and more cost-effective on me. Told me a bit about it asked me if I had questions, did not have any and that was it.

Bit confused as the others on here why laser was the better option per her since I went in to get electrolysis.

#9

Laser is easier to do and the money is better. Electrolysis takes lots of skill and some have not mastered the art of and skill of doing electrolysis well and they don’t like to do electrolysis. I love laser, but I don’t like it if facial work is needed.

#10

If she offers both, it is not surprising that she pointed You toward the laser path. It fits into the picture that she even sold You a package of 6 treatments. Treatment packages will mostly help the purse of the studio. There are other, more customer friendly possibilities like discounts after a certain number of treatments. Or simpler lower prices in general - every discount needs to be paid in advance.

Like many colleagues already told You - these are relatively few hairs. So go ahead an look for an electrologist who is fast and efficient and who charges for the actual time she needs. That’ll be most effective both in terms of success of treatment and Your cost.

#11

I agree with my colleagues. Your case is more common than you imagine, and most electrologists face these cases on a daily basis.

Whether you opt for the laser or not, you will suffer an increase in hair development. I do not mean just the amount, but the thickness of the hairs. At age 21, your facial hair is at a very early stage. During the next few years, the problem will slowly extend from the sideburns to join the chin area. Little by little, the area under the chin will move down to cover much of the central area of ​​the neck. The difference if the laser comes into play, is that the development towards more amount of terminal hair will happen much more quickly.

I know I am describing the worst scenario, but I have seen so many similar cases evolve that I think you should be prepared to face it as soon as possible.
Why is it better sooner than later? because treating the hair when it is still a non-terminal hair is much easier and less traumatic for the skin. If you decide to opt for electrolysis, you have to be aware that you are probably going to suffer post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, especially in chin and sideburns, areas where the hair is already terminal. This is quite obvious given the small spot that acne has left and the irritation caused by the earrings in both ears.

My intention is not to discourage you, but quite the opposite. If you have realistic and truthful information, you will be more prepared to find the solution.

Clearing the areas that now have terminal hair, could take about 4 or 5 hours of effective electrolysis (not plucking). Once you have achieved control of these areas, you will only need a couple of annual sessions to get rid of the new development.

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#12

Totally agree with you Josefa. You perfectly describe the side effects of laser in this case.
Nowadays even dermatologists do not recommend laser on hormono dependent areas such as female face because of the risk of paradoxical laser induced hair growth. They recommand to treat these areas with electrolysis.

This documentary on YouTube explains it (in French) :