Hello. A brief (I hope) introduction.

Hair Removal Methods Laser hair removal
#1

Hello everyone.

Allow me to introduce myself.

I have been following this forum for years and it has been a great source of information for me. Unfortunately, I found out about this website after I’d already gotten into laser hair removal.

Back in Feb 2008 I began facial hair removal. I wanted to to top lip and chin. But then insisted on face and neck. I had fine and vellus hair and the practitioners at the Private Clinic in London strongly advised me against it. But I still insisted and they obliged.

I did 6 sessions there and then left the UK back home abroad. I have continued doing laser. I think I have so far done 13 sessions.

I have been using the diode lightsheer at 41 sometimes 43 joules.

The funny thing is that I am not hairy on my body. And I have had excellent results on my legs, thighs, bikini line, arms and armpits.

But my face is a DISASTER… My sideburns are okay and there are a few rare patches here and there that are hairless but in some places the hair has multiplied and thickened especially on my upper cheek bones under my eyes…

I need to add that I have PCOS. I’ve been treated for ace by accutane. I have red spotting and a sensitive skin so I refuse to even consider electrolysis because it is a road unknown to me and I cannot risk scabbing.

I am currently stuck with the laser, which gives me 3 to 4 weeks of hairfree worry and then the hair grows back again… I started using vaniqa along with it as per my dermatologist’s advice.

I don’t know if you guys can offer me anything magical other than the advice to get into electrolysis or try other lasers…

Maybe I just need some sort of support. And this forum is great for that.

#2

My advice is to mop up the laser induced hair stimulation on your face with electrolysis. IT’S ALL YOU GOT. Scabbing is not the same thing as scarring. Top-notch electrologists are well-trained and they gravitate toward the better epilators available in the the 21st century. They invest in quality magnification so they can see hair and move at a decent pace to remove the hair quickly. They can treat your skin for hours at a time and send you home looking a little pink and swollen, same as what your skin looked like when you had laser. Inflammation is all temporary and it is necessary to observe this when the skin is disturbed. It is a mistake to believe that electrolysis equals scabbing, scarring and is way too slow. Some people that perform electrolysis are not the best, so get several consultations. Try to figure out where the professional electrologists are in your locale. If there aren’t any, think if traveling.

Sorry you are another victim of laser hair stimulation. A woman’s face is a risky area to treat with laser or IPL.

Dee

#3

Stop using the Vaniqa as well. You’ll never get permanent hair removal or reduction as long as you are using a growth inhibitor.

#4

Well it is refreshing to get responses. Thank you for taking the time to read my post.

I am using vaniqa as my derm told me to use it. And I am pretty happy with it in combination with the laser. It just prolongs the time between laser sessions, which is a relief.

Other than the fact that I am not excited about electrolysis (my derm as well), I don’t have time for electrolysis because I travel around a lot between different countries so it is easier to find a lightsheer diode laser and have one laser session as opposed to having to find electrologists in ever country I visit for 2 times per week of electrolysis treatments.

I don’t know… I guess I am hoping for some miracle.

I wish I never got into this to start with and just stuck to bleaching with Jolen. I wish I could go back in time.

#5

On another note…

With electrolysis, let’s say I have a small area to treat. Like the top cheek bone underneath the eyes. I have a number of hairs there. How many times would I need to treat them for them to be gone? 2 times? 4 times?

If it’s a few treatments then I could consider it before I leave this country where I am in January.

#6

You need to get the hairs you have there now treated/cleared-off. From that point on, you will need to clear off the new hairs that come forth over the next 9-12 months. Hair grows in cycles. You have to get several treatments over a year to catch all the new growing hairs. Maybe you will be lucky enough to get this resolved in six months, some do, most don’t.

#7

You know, I probably will sound extremely shallow because there are people out there with REAL problems, but sometimes I feel so down I wish I could die.

I am tired of this cycle. It’s killing me…

I have another question people. I mean doesn’t the electrolysis kill the root of the hair? So why would hair still be coming out?

#8

I meant please and not people. But I guess both apply lol

#9

If you have a small treatment area, then you REALLY need to do it in electrolysis. At least the ones you treat will be gone, and you will need only get additional treatments as the other hairs cycle through, but at the very least, the ones you treat, will be gone, and you will not have hair in that area during that hair growth cycle.

I might point out that no matter if you have L.A.S.E.R. or electrolysis, you will still need to have more than one treatment to have no hair in the area all year around.


Please take a look at the growth thread for some perspective.

#10

James thanks you very much for your response. I will take a look at the charts. I guess I just need to be in one country for a while and I also need to find a good electrologist who wouldn’t mess my face and add to my problems another problems of scarring.

Have a good day.

#11

If you want to get this under control, you would need something to control PCOS (medication) to prevent future growth. Also, laser doesn’t really work on hair that’s not coarse and dense. So you’re just burning the hair above the skin’s surface most likely. If you get off Accutane, get on PCOS meds, and start aggressive electrolysis, you can get the results you want. Electrolysis in good hands doesn’t cause any scarring.