Is Laser Ever Worth It?

Special Issues Transgender / Transsexual
#1

I’m a 25 year old male to female transsexual. I’ve had some surgery and don’t make testosterone anymore. I’ve had electrolysis on my face and no longer had a beard. MY body hair has thinned out a lot, but remains a problem on the chest and stomach area. I went in for laser consult today, and was quoted a rate of 700 dollars an hour. They use the Candela Gentlelase system. The treatment lady assured me she would be able to treat most of my entire upper body within the hour, and that I would need 4+ treatments.

I’m hesitant to go through with it. Transition costs a lot, and I don’t make much so ever penny counts. Laser is expensive, but would be worth it if I had reassurance it would work. However, there are so many horror stories on here about complete regrowth that I don’t want to waste my money on something that may provide zero results. At the same time, electrolysis would take forever and probably cost a lot as well. I don’t know what to do now.

Chris

#2

I’m a 25 year old male to female transsexual. I’ve had some surgery and don’t make testosterone anymore. I’ve had electrolysis on my face and no longer had a beard. MY body hair has thinned out a lot, but remains a problem on the chest and stomach area. I went in for laser consult today, and was quoted a rate of 700 dollars an hour. They use the Candela Gentlelase system. The treatment lady assured me she would be able to treat most of my entire upper body within the hour, and that I would need 4+ treatments.

I’m hesitant to go through with it. Transition costs a lot, and I don’t make much so ever penny counts. Laser is expensive, but would be worth it if I had reassurance it would work. However, there are so many horror stories on here about complete regrowth that I don’t want to waste my money on something that may provide zero results. At the same time, electrolysis would take forever and probably cost a lot as well. I don’t know what to do now.

Chris

well in the UK 700 an hour is an utterly ridiculous ammount to pay - they would be reported to trading standards here - i know plastic surgeons - not beauticians - who charge around 240 bucks so they are taking advantage of your trans status - there are a lot of ‘mind games’ played with trans people as they know how desperate you are to have treatments to look how you know you should - and sadly there is an industry that will see dollar signs or pound signs in their eyes when you walk through the door <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

there is no reason why electrolysis should take ‘forever’ it is quite reasonable to clear quite large areas in one hour if they have a braincell or two <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

plus its more likely not to comeback - laser is quicker but i think this sometimes allows for less competent operators.

#3

I would suggest that you find a clinic that does not charge by “time”. Not all technicians are the same. Find a clinic that treats by the area. Find a laser. Find a FDA approved laser. Check the clinics BBB history. Buy a package of treatments since that typically will be the best price.

Find a clinic/company that has been doing laser hair reduction for a long time and has thousands of treamtments under their belt (experience).

You will need several treatments to achieve maximum results.

I had at least 90% reduction in 5 treatments.

Good Luck!

#4

Hi:

I started with laser on my face, but after 9 treatments with that switched to electrolysis. Since then I have had 109 hours of electrolysis. Some people claim to have good results with laser, but many I have talked to needed electrolysis afterwards. What really upset me was that the dark hairs it was supposed to kill, still came back after treatments. It may help thin out the hair a bit, but it is rather costly.

For me I paid for 6 laser treatments and got the next 3 free. The 6 treatments were rather expensive though. After that I paid for electrolysis by the hour with the same woman
who gave me her best rate for that.

Alicia

#5

Hi there.

Just curious, what is your skin tone and hair color? I am fair with dark brown hair. I do not tan or have any medical,hormonal conditions or take medications that would inhibit my results. My results were immediate, however with each treatment being stronger the results were more prominent each time.

I do perform these treaments on patients and the results really vary from skin type, hair color, coarseness of the hair, location of hair, medications and hormonal or medical conditions.

With the right equipment and experienced technician, this procedure works quickly for the right candidate; some candidates take more treatments but can and often do see 80-90% reduction.

I am very pleased with my results and also have seen great results with clients.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

#6

Hi:

I am also fair skinned with darker brown hair and eyes.
I do have some grey hairs also which I knew would not be affected by laser. The part which I found disturbing were the number of dark colored hairs which came back after laser. It did give me a certain amount of reduction which I can’t quantify as a percentage. I know it wasn’t near 80-90% however. Even if it was that would not be enough for me
to pass.

Perhaps with the right candidate, right settings and right technician it will work better. After 9 treatments I decided it was time to switch to electrolysis which would get rid of all types of hair dark and grey. I became disillusioned and frustrated with laser since I had so many dark hairs coming back, and those were the ones I would have expected to be gone.

Alicia