Does Laser Work Permanently???

Hair Removal Methods Laser hair removal
#41

We work on ALOT of transgenders in Texas and have several video testimonials from them on working with us. My question of you is why are you so overly persistent about what other people’s results were?

No humans DNA or body is the same, you could talk to a hundred different transgenders that have used laser hair removal with great results and your results could simply suck for lack of a better word. Or vice versa.

Bottomline transgenders more than any other group in the 35 years experience we’ve had in hair removal business are very impatient and want instant results. Hair removal doesn’t work like that or fast like they want (we understand fully why this is), there will always be maintenance treatments maybe for life.

Hair NEVER really stops growing, so even if someone (you can’t) but if you could kill every hair follicle on your body today, more hair would be growing back tomorrow to some degree.

Transgenders more than the general public also don’t just want a big reduction of hair, they want no hair at all in certain places. There expectations and goals are off the charts high compared to say a guy with a hairy chest who just wants his chest hair reduced alot, but not look like a Calvin Klein model.

Best advice go to Laura’s Playground website and she has a great transgender “friendly” list in every state of electrologists and laser hair removal techs to choose from.

We’re the only one for example within a 100 mile radius of Austin, TX.

Take care Emma this forum is here to help you the best we can.

#42

Hi:

Yes, I had to keep preaching to myself about patience being a virtue.

Here is the link to the list on Laura’s site.:
http://www.lauras-playground.com/transgender_electrologist_list.htm

#43

Hair is hair. It’s all killed in the same way. You can’t generalize “facial hair”. The answer to all your questions is the same “results depend on the type of hair, machine, and settings used”. In your case, you can only benefit from laser treatments. The biggest concern with treating a male face for males who plan to remain males is potential patchiness if treatments are not perfect. In your case, it doesn’t matter since you’re going for 100% removal and will be finishing whatever is left with electrolysis.

No, $500 is not nearly how much electrolysis will cost. Try to estimate how many hairs you have to remove, then multiply that number by 3 since you can only see about 30% of all the hair you actually have at any point. Then use 5-10 hairs per minute treated by electrolysis to estimate how long it will take to get electrolysis on each hair once. Then keep in mind that some hairs will need to be treated 2 or 3 times over to be killed completely. On average, electrolysis costs $70 or so per hour. There are your costs right there. They’re in the thousands of dollars.

So once again, it’s beneficial for you to get laser first to kill as much coarse hair as possible, which would probably require about 8-10 treatments spaced every 2 months. After that, start electrolysis to finish.

I don’t know if you actually read my entire post, but I suggested at least one clinic in SF for you.

You seem to not be following our advice and reading the FAQs in detail and running searches for past discussions on the Bay Area.

#44

Hi:

For what its worth I had laser first and finished with electrolysis. I don’t regret doing it that way, and I’m sure it saved me some electrolysis hours.

If one went strictly with electrolysis the average time needed
is about 200 hours, possibly less, possibly more depending on the density of the hair
and how often one goes for treatments.James had one who didn’t keep regular treatments
who took close to 300 hours if I remember correctly, but that is on the extreme side.

The important thing to remember as far as costs go is that its
so much per month you have to budget for rather than thinking in terms of the total cost. Truthfully it was more than worth it to me and the costs be damned.

If you try the laser and it doesn’t get you as clear as you need long term then
you start on electrolysis. Either way you have to start with one or the other or
else you are basically screwed and would need to shave and use dermablend the rest
of your life. That would pretty much suck.

Alicia

#45

Ok, so this forum has convinced me to give laser a try and I’ll see how it goes from there. One question about the FAQ’s page.

"13. What are some brand names of lasers available?

Some of the most popular devices on the market include:

  1. Alexandrite: GentleLASE, Apogee including Apogee Elite, EpiTouch Plus
  2. Diode: LightSheer, F1 Diode, MeDioStar, Comet (w/RF technology), Palomar SLP 1000
  3. Nd:Yag: CoolGlide, GentleYAG, Lyra-i, Sciton, Apogee Elite (this machine has both alexandrite and Nd:YAG settings)
  4. IPL: Aurora (w/RF technology), Harmony, EpiLight, Aculight, Vasculight, Palomar Starlux and EsteLux
  5. Ruby (outdated and not used anymore because it is only safe on skin types I-II): RubyStar, E2000"

I think I’m a skin type III, because my skin isn’t pale, but does burn if I lay out in the sun all day long.
Does that mean that I look at number 3 on this list?
And if thats correct, what does “Nd:Yag” mean? Are CoolGlide, GentleYag, Lyra-i, Scitone, Apogee Elite all different kinds of laser machines that work will with type 3 skin?

#46

It sounds like type 3, do a google search, there’s a bunch of websites that have tests to tell you. They get you to answer a bunch of questions with numbered answers then add them up to find out. If you’re type 3 or lower you really want an alexandrite as they’re the best in terms of effectiveness. You only want to do Yag if you’re skin type 4 or higher as it’s not as effective and is designed for darker skin. Don’t do IPL ever on your face especially so avoid anywhere that has that. If you can’t find an alexandrite then diode would be your next best option. GentleLASE by Candela and Apogee by CynoSure are the best and really the only ones.

#47

If you’re a type III, you should go for an Alexandrite laser. There is another section in the FAQs that explains that. You should look for GentleLASE (or the new GentleMAX) or Apogee machines.

Candela makes GentleLASE and GentleMAX and has a provider search on their site. Aura Skin Spa in SF will be listed there, but there are others too.

Btw, the more dense and coarse the hair is, the more it hurts. You may want to consider using a numbing cream for this area, which the clinic with a physician can prescribe.

Also, we advise to check out 3-5 clinics with the right type of laser and ask them questions before committing to any one. Third link below has some questions you can ask. Ask for settings they’re planning to use as it’s important not to get undertreated. We can help you figure out if they’re high enough. Ask for joules, spot size, and pulse width being used.

Also, invest in some pure aloe vera gel. Cool it in the fridge. It’s great for aftercare.

#48

Hi LAgirl:

You said:
“Also, we advise to check out 3-5 clinics with the right type of laser and ask them questions before committing to any one.”

When I first started looking for someone to do laser I called up a bunch of clinics but never got anyone who actually answered the phone, so I left messages and my phone number.

Only one actually called me back.

It was frustrating trying to deal with people like that who
didn’t seem to care enough to be professional enough to at
least call back.

Alicia

#49

That’s unfortunate. I’ve never had a problem calling clinics in my area…

#50

You also need to just bite the bullet and do it I find. Yes it’s a good idea to go to different places, and maybe I’m rare in that I take more chances. For me I wanted an alex and at least through online searches I found 3 or 4 places in Toronto that had them. Two had absurd pricing one was okay the other was much cheaper. I honestly just went based on price and have been happy. Face is a bit different, I had also done laser on other areas first so I knew a bit what to expect. Either way my point is you can talk on here for months, there’s no right or wrong answer you just need to bite the bullet and go.

#51

Thanks for the advice edokid. I actually have 3 appointments for next week :slight_smile: LAgirl keeps recommending a place in SF called Aura so I’m going to check that place out and 2 or 3 other ones with good online reviews.
Aura seems like its on the expensive side at $200 a session. Is that pretty normal or expensive?

#52

$200 seems normal for full face. That’s what I paid at my first place. My new one is lower but on average I’d say $200 is probably the normal price for full face.

#53

That’s a good price, especially for SF. Run an Advanced Search here for Aura. There are several technicians there and my friend specifically recommended one of them over the others as they’re not all good.

#54

I see you say that Hannah is the one to ask for and then there is another technician recommend who you said is retired. Is there anyone else you would recommend, or is it just her?

#55

What you read in other threads is all I know.

#56

Well in the thread I was reading it says everyone who works there is experienced and good, but in another thread you recommended Hannah in particular and said that some of their technicians aren’t good.

#57

What I did was ask my friend who got treatments there who she thought was best and posted that in the thread.

#58

Ok, so I just checked out two laser places a little north of San Francisco and I’m going tomorrow to check out Aura. The ones that I checked out today were quite different.
One had a much more relaxing vibe, and it seems like they treat you in a very cushy way. It was $300 per laser session with a Diode laser. Its weird because I haven’t heard of Diode lasers being the preferred kind… Any thoughts on Diode lasers for facial (and possibly chest and stomach hair removal).

The next place I went was less cushy and had a less upscale vibe, it felt a little more like a doctors office but more relaxing and comfortable than that. They use the gentleLASE Alexandrite laser, which is what I heard was supposed to be used. They cost $150!

Both places were recommended by online sources. I’m leaning towards the second, cheaper option, out of these two. At the second place the laser techs have been doing their job for at least 5 years, so that sounds pretty professional, right???

Also, for facial hair do you think, that 2 or 3 sessions would probably do a lot of hair removal?

#59

Seems like we’re starting to repeat a lot on here on this thread. Alex is better than diode, and $150 is a good price so there’s really no reason to go for diode if you can get an alex for less. As I already mentioned as well 2 or 3 sessions is not enough to give you huge results. While you will have some removal, it’s around 15% if that. Face has twice as much hair as anywhere else and is very hard to treat so I’d say 5-6 before really great results.

#60

Yes, definitely go with the GentleLASE. It’s cheaper too? How lucky for you! Diode is okay (especially for kind of tan people), but an alex laser is significantly better.

2 or 3 sessions will possibly let you see a difference on the most ideal areas (my legs are hugely different already after 2 sessions), but don’t expect it. Male facial hair is the hardest area to treat from what I’ve heard, so I am going to assume you won’t see amazing results right away. I think it may take a number of treatments and touch-ups. (Which is standard anyway, so don’t let it discourage you).