Hi,
I started electrolysis treatments on several areas and i am thinking to switch to laser. I am a white male with light skin and hairs are mostly brown/light black (dark).
Can i get laser done in the areas i already did a few clearances with electrolysis?
Is shaving necessary before starting laser?
Does laser really work? (long term)
Thanks
Hi!
I’ve had both done. Typically, yes you have to shave before a laser hair removal treatment but it also depends on the type of laser the technician will be using. So, yes laser is definitely possible after electrolysis but you should wait a while before getting the procedure done to allow your skin to heal. Now if anything, would you consider electrolysis AFTER laser? Laser was successful (for me, at least) at retarding the hair growth and the hairs that grew back (no, laser is not permanent. You will have to maintain treatments long term) were very fine and weak. That would be the perfect time to get electrolysis on those hairs.
no, laser is not permanent. You will have to maintain treatments long term
Except for the fact that’s not true. Also, you should ALWAYS shave before laser hair removal. It doesn’t matter what type of laser the tech is using.
After I had laser, I experienced anywhere from 75 - 90% hair reduction. This was on dark, thick terminal hairs (underarms, brazilian). They were in no way hairless. It’s an option if you fit the criteria, and then want to finish off with electrolysis.
Are you suggesting it is permanent (removal) or that the follicles will eventually be completely destroyed? Or is that just based on individual experience? I actually experienced 100% reduction when I got laser hair removal done…but it all returned within 5 months and I simply could not afford touch up treatments. So I’m sure you can image I was not happy when I was a furball again. The salon (Sona MedSpa) told me I would have to get occasional sessions for the LONG TERM to ensure the hair stays away. And I have very dark, curly terminal hairs as well. Permanent reduction (laser) and permanent removal (electrolysis) are two different things, from what I read on the FDA website.
Well you just said “laser is not permanent” and left it at that, which is what I’m disagreeing with. Laser will permanently remove hair but can’t do 100% of it (hence the name “reduction” instead of “removal” despite the fact it does actually remove hair). It’s really legal semantics more than anything.
The fact all your hair returned in 5 months suggests to me your place didn’t use proper settings and justified themselves in saying that but saying you will need long-term maintenance treatment forever (which if proper settings are used the first time out, you don’t need this “maintenance”).
I actually looked up your Sona MedSpa, which is a chain (which is a first red flag for me) and all of them have some pretty god-awful reviews (another red flag). Honestly, those “medical spas” almost always will use poor laser settings. You’re better off going to a dermatologist and doing it right the first time (I’ve generally found dermatologists to be more willing to go aggressive with settings).
Hmm…I got my treatments done in 2003 and they used the YAG laser on me and it HURT but was very effective… Temporarily. I would consider it pretty aggressive. It was in fact a dermatologist that referred me to Sona. Oh well. Live and learn!
But back to the topic, LondonEye, I think electrolysis AFTER laser may prove to give the results you’re looking for. I’ve strongly considered getting laser done again, since I know what to expect, and THEN getting the regrowth electrolysized myself.
If you decide to go that route, let us know!!
I had 11 sesions of laser, and still have most of my facial hair. If I were to stop electrolysis, it would be much worse. Though I did see some reduction, it all pretty much came back within 6 months.My experience Benton, is that it’s not even permanent reduction. Though I leave the possibility open that my case may be atypical, there are far too many out there who have had similar experiences.
Londoneye, if you are serious about removing the hair my suggestion would be to continue electrolysis.
Seana
And as we’ve been over this numerous times, you didn’t know the settings of your laser so to claim laser isn’t permanent at all is a bit of a stretch. I’m sorry it didn’t work for you, but it has worked for a lot of people, both on and off this forum
Very few are aware of the settings used.Mine varied between 25-34 joules (pretty much my highest tolerance) , but you’re right that I dont know the specs of the machine. However my experience is not unique by any stetch. Time and time again we hear the same story coming to this forum. You know hat has worked though? Electrolysis.
Seana
Then very few have a legitimate point-of-view when it comes to claiming “laser didn’t work” without hard facts. I’m glad we know the joules it varied between but there are way too many other factors in the settings to determine if it was effective.