Laser Hair Removal advice please

Hair Removal Methods Laser hair removal
#1

Hello, I’m hoping I can get some assistance for my wife, who is not having a great time with her facial hair.

Background:

  • white female, skin scale is likely II
  • facial hair under chin, under jawline, up cheeks a bit
  • hair is thick and dark, which as I understand makes her a good candidate for laser
  • there are also finer black hairs in and around the same area
  • I’m located north of Toronto, Ontario Canada (if anyone has any specific recommendations on location)

We went to 5 consultations in the area and we are somewhat confused. From reading the FAQs, it would seem my wife doesn’t require a Yag machine level strength, a diode or alex would suffice. However, the only ones we came across were diode (Soprano) which is not well received here, and that was the least expensive. The Yag machines were all the same (Coolglide XEO) and these were 3 times as expensive!

  1. Since my wife has fair skin, am I wasting my money by going with more expensive YAG machines in my area?
  2. One tech told me to choose a machine based on how DEEP it penetrates, not skin type (should I run?). It was why they recommended the YAG type to ensure the deepest laser. Isn’t that contrary to the info here?
  3. No love for the Soprano, but does that apply if your skin type is appropriate for that kind of laser (diode)?
  4. Is laser advisable for the face?

My wife did try electrolyse a long time ago but it wasn’t a pleasant experience (‘black holes’ remaining, etc, but I understand that may be a result of a poor tech).

Please help me! My wife is near depressed because of this and I want to steer her in the right direction, and avoid any additional heartache.

Thank you kindly.
Steve

#2

I’m not the hugest fan of laser. My experience has been that in some cases the hair comes back, and in extreme cases it can actually stimulate growth. Yag isnt for your wife’s skin type it’s more useful in slightly brown skinned people. . Maybe someone here can advise on what is. It’s just my personal opinion, but if it were me I would consider electrolysis, or alternatively having a few laser sessions to clear some of the hair and then electrolysis to clean up what’s left. In the US the FDA actually doesnt allow for laser to advertise as “permanent hair removal”. It MAY be permanent, but it also may not.

If you are north of Toronto though you might try one of the posters from here if you are considering electrolysis . I’m not sure if she does laser.She’s located in Orangeville.

www.offbroadwaysalon.ca

Kathy Lynn Payne
Off Broadway Salon
Orangeville, ON Canada

From you description though , I’m wondering does your wife possibly suffer from Polycystic Ovarian Syndrom? The extremely dark hairs and growth pattern are suggestive that this could be a possibility. You may consider getting her to see her doctor, and being screened for this, PCOS can increase serum testosterone levels and cause abnormal hair growth as a result. There are medications that can bring these levels back to normal, and if it is the case would help inhibit new or further hair growth though you would still have to have what is already present removed.

Seana

#3

Thanks for the reply.

Orangeville is not far, nor is it close (closer to Vaughan would be ideal). But at the end of the day, would be willing to go wherever we need to go. When closer its just more convenient, especially with work schedules, etc.

My wife has been told she had PCOS in the past, and it has been addressed. I was told and did some reading that any hairs gained as a result of PCOS, even if the condition leaves, will remain and must be removed.

If one can count the visible hairs, I’m wondering if electrolysis is more appropriate. Still would like to confirm if a diode/alex is her only option for laser, considering the skin type. If we were confident with electrolysis (the technician), we may consider that. My wife did have a bad experience in the past hence the decision to try laser.

Kathy Lynn is active on these forums?

#4

Kathy has responded to some of my posts within the last two weeks.

#5

  • Can you post photos? Need to determine if the hair is coarse and dense enough for laser. This is important when treating a woman’s face. Depending on density and coarseness, electrolysis may be a better solution (with a good electrologist)

  • PCOS is not typically something you can get rid of. You can control it with medication, but symptoms come back one you’re off of it. Is she on medication? If not, she is likely to develop new hairs down the line that will need to be touched up once in a while.

  • There are many past threads on Toronto and recommendations of both laser clinics and electrologists. Run a search and expand to 5 years or so. You should really only be looking at alex lasers if she’s a good candidate for laser.

  • Yes, Yags penetrate deeper, but this is not important for most body areas. Typically, men’s chins and scalp has deep hair. It rarely impacts a woman’s fact as alex laser goes deep enough.