I’m 19 and female. About 11 months ago I began to get lasering done on my upper lip. Before that I had for maybe 3 years shaved, then for about another 2-3 few years plucked, then for perhaps 2/3s of a year bleached religiously to manage my hair. Because I never allowed it to grow very long, I can’t clearly tell you what it was like originally, but I can give an estimate: it was fairly dark and some hairs were a little bit coarse. I have ‘olive’ skin. I haven’t kept an exact record of how many times I’ve been to the laser treatment, but I’m guessing about 8-10 times.
I’ve mostly stopped shaving in between laserings, because the person who does the lasering told me not to. A few times I have bleached for social reasons.
The laser I’ve been using is apparently the ‘Palomar Star Lux series 2’
My attendant tells me that I’m pretty much finished (it’s vague, though.)
I think I may be on a lighter cycle of hair right now, but not by much.
Now I’m wondering this: Based on the pictures I’m providing, do you think I should go again?
Should I try electrolysis now?
I SO appreciate your time and help. This forum is wonderful and supportive. Thank you.
Wow Wee! These are the best pictures I’ve seen. Fantastic and thank you! We like pictures here. By the way, your pictures are not repulsive. I have seen worse many times over and so have other electrologists.
From the electrolysis side of the fence, this is not a difficult case at all. You would have been finished and very happy by now if you had started with electrolysis in the first place. Eight to ten treatments? I think your problem with lack of results may lie with the equipment used, but lagirl and sslhr are the laser experts.
If you find an electrologist that can do blend really well or microflash thermolysis really well, you can get first clearance in about 3 appointments with microflash and maybe 4-5 appointments for blend, and maintain the “no hair there” look until you are finished in 9-12 months of properly scheduled appointments.
Electrolysis is permanent for all colors of hair on all colors of skin. If you were my client, I would predict that you would need 8-15 treatments spread out over year’s time, but you would be thrilled well before a year, because you would not have to let the hair grow out in between appointments.
Why people don’t choose electrolysis in the first place I don’t know. That’s not a shot at you Ginger. Actually, I think I do know why many people go to laser or some other light therapy: there are not enough good electrologists in certain locales that can do a good job on this area and the media hype about the quick fix of laser is too alluring and sexy for the trusting desparate consumer to pass up.
The fuzzy hairs on your underlip can also be treated with electrolysis. A nice thinning is in order, but only if an electrologist has proper vision wear.
Thanks for your prompt comments, dfahey! They are very helpful. Those are detailed pictures… I’m glad they helped. I’m now researching electrologists in my area. Maybe I’ll go get a consultation tomorrow.
It would be great to have responses from anyone else ASAP. Thanks~
this is probably one of the best and easiest cases we’ve seen pictures of here. nothing to be repulsed about at all! you really have very little hair relative to many people. I think your problem is mainly the equipment used. It’s an IPL, which is generally not as good as true laser. alex laser like GentleLASE would have probably gotten you better results.
Either way, at this point, I would say just switch to an electrologist. It would really take only a few treatments at this point as your hair is most likely synchronized right now anyways. Start your search for a good one. There may be some recommendations on the electrolysis part of this forum. just provide your location and you might get some help. look there to learn more about electrolysis though and sample a few, and you’ll be on your way.
btw, since you’re only 19, you might be developing more hairs here and there in the next few years. so you might need some touchups later. just something to think about to make sure you understand. do you have any other hair that bothers you?
