Laser in face ?...

Hair Removal Methods Laser hair removal
#1

Hello everyone!
I’ve been searching for some reliable information on the web regarding an issue that really concerns and bothers me lately, when I finally happend to visit this forum.
I have PCOS, altough not so severe, so I do have hairs over some “wrong” areas, above upper lip, some of chin and some on sides of the face.
Lately I decided I wanted to get rid of them. I searched for details in the most known laser centers at the area- but they all emphasized they don’t make laser treatments over face. In all of them I was told the face is a hormonal area, so they “would not take the risk” - seems they would not risk themselves and costumers for fear of any damage that could be made to this particular area. I asked for the laser device they used and they said they used LightSheere, Duet and others.
Because of a recommendation I was given by my doctor, I went to another private laser center where they use another laser device- the Long Pulse Alexandrite. I was told by the operator of center they could make a laser treatment over my face, using the Alexandrite device. Regarding my PCOS and the sensitive area of face, she told me it would “just be fine as long as you’ll be hormonally balanced”. OK, so this is an option, right, but of course I have another option- that of an electrolysis process.

Well, all the time I think over about the issue, I’m very confused and need the advice of an expert. I was told by all the other laser centers that making laser over face could be very dangerous- and could happen to cause an irreversible damage- making the very thin hair or blonde ones to become black and thicker- thus making me look very hairy and so unnecessarily. But it’s just sounds so attractive to make the laser treatment over there- it does not hurt, it’s fast and it even seems to be cheaper. But hey, it’s so awful for me thinking about the chance or possibility for my face to be damaged and get more hairs growing all over it, without being able to change the situation! There are worse things, all right, but why taking this risk while being able to make the electrolysis process?..

Has anyone have some information about this Alexendrite device? Is it different from the other laser devices regarding the specific area of face? Do you know people who had their faces damaged using this laser device or others? Is the PCOS make a difference in facial area? And… what would you recommend- taking electrolysis treatments or laser??

I would appreciate so much any information regarding the issue,
Thank you in advance and best regards

#2

Welcome to HairTell. We really like pictures here. Can you upload some quality pictures so we can see your problem.

I am not a proponent of laser hair reduction on women’s faces and necks because of the gamble for laser hair stimulation. A modernly trained and equipped electrologist can do quite well for any structure of hair, ANYWHERE, but you need to go on the hunt. Get plenty of consults. Electrolysis is what you should seriously consider. If you go for laser, you will still most likely need an electrologist at the end of your laser treatments anyway. That’s my guess, but I hope I am wrong.

Are youbgetting treatment for your PCOS?

#3

Laser should be used to treat dark COARSE hair only.

Do you have dark COARSE hair on your face? Most women , even with PCOS, don’t.

What Alexandrite laser is it? GentleLase by Candela is apparently the best.

Many women who go the laser route on their faces end up being more hairy!

I’d highly suggest you consider electrolysis.

#4

Thanks for your replies-it was really helpful and I might admit it’s so difficult getting reliable details just because of the whole advertising information running through the web.
I am getting a treatment for the PCOS, fortunately I’m in good hands!
I think giving the electrolysis a try… well, how should I choose the electrolysis practitioner? I mean, besides recommendation and so… maybe by the type of device he/she uses? which devices are best? are there different methods for electrolysis?..
I’d also like to know about the side-affects… Could the process cause any permanent damage like scars or pigmentation stains? Well, as long as these are temporal, all right, but I don’t want them to be permanent- that’s really concerns me- it’s face we’re talking about after all…
Reading the discussions here I’ve noticed there are methods for reducing the side affects like drinking a lot of water and oil tree tea… nice to get to know that!

THANK YOU!

#5

Start here:

From our sister site, HairFacts:

From The American Electrology Association website, www.electrology.com :

http://www.electrology.com/consumer/selecting_electrologist.html

FAQ’s:

http://www.electrology.com/consumer/selecting_electrologist.html

#6

sorry to high jack the convo, but my electrologist is working on my side burns, cheeks, chin/neck area and advised me that my upper lip would see better results if started with laser and finished off with electrolysis. She said the upper lip area isn’t very affected by hormone induced hair growth, and would also not be prone to induced hair growth from lasers as opposed to the other areas being treated… Is she right?

#7

Does your electrologist do laser as well?

I disagree with her upper lip comments.

#8

@hairyhead2toe: No, she is not right. If you don’t have dense coarse dark hairs on your upper lip, don’t consider laser.

#9

she used to be a laser technician, but now solely does elecrolysis. she said the pain involved with electrolysis of the upper lip is really high and since i said pain was a concern for me she told me that…

the hairs on my upper lip are not coarse or really dense,but noticeable for sure . if i post a picture do you think you might be able to see if id be suitable for lasr?

#10

Maybe she just finds it a difficult area (lots of hairs) to tackle so is trying to make her job easier.

In my opinion, the upper lip is not one of the most painful areas… not on the face (jawline, eyebrows, neck are way more painful) and face is generally less painful than body work. So on the whole pain scale, it’s pretty low.

The only part that is particularly sensitive is the middle of the upper lip. I managed without topical anaesthetic but if pain is the issue, then EMLA would work here.

But yes, do post a photo, although by your comment on the hairs not being coarse or dense, I can probably say now that they are not suitable for LHR.

#11

“she used to be a laser technician, but now solely does elecrolysis. she said the pain involved with electrolysis of the upper lip is really high and since i said pain was a concern for me she told me that…”

I haven’t had electrolysis yet so I cant speak from personal experience but from what I have read, electrolysis is NOT known to be any more painful on upper lip than on other areas of the face. You might need more treatments on your upper lip as compared to other areas though. Why? 1) Since the area is small, most electrologists wouldn’t want to work for more than 15 mins at one go.(You might not need more than 15 mins of work if you have less hair) 2) Upper lip hair is usually deep. So, it is not easy to kill. (This point holds true even for laser)

“the hairs on my upper lip are not coarse or really dense,but noticeable for sure . if i post a picture do you think you might be able to see if id be suitable for lasr?”

I might not be able to help but I’m sure there are many experienced people here who can help you determine if the hair is coarse enough for laser or not. :slight_smile:

Do post a picture!

#12

The middle upper lip is more sensitive than most areas. Some people find they need a topical anesthetic along with some advil for this area. Laser is painful, or it should be for it to be effective. However, no matter how much laser hurts, if you don’t have the right kind of hair, it won’t work.

I routinely treat upper lip hair longer than 15 minutes. I worked on an 11 year old girl two days ago and she did well for 45 minutes. Electrolysis on sensitive areas can be performed with minimal discomfort. It is about the set up and the skill factor and… a good topical anesthetic in some cases. My little client did use a topical.