I would really appreciate anyone’s advice on the following problem:
I had laser hair removal treatments (Alexandrite) on my arms and legs over several years beginning in my early twenties. It seemed to work reasonably well on my legs and has left me with about 50% of the hair I originally had, but on my arms I have experienced dramatic worsening, especially on my upper arms and near my shoulders. I’m a girl, by the way, with fair skin, and my hair was dark but very fine and soft before treatment - it’s now dark, thick, and completely unsightly (as if vellus hairs have been stimulated to turn into terminal). The hairs are sparser than they used to be, but look much worse.
The company doing my laser treatment refused to believe that this could be due to laser, but I had my hormones checked and I have no problems there. I continued to have many more treatments than are normally required for clearance, and the problem only got worse.
I eventually stopped a year ago, and switched to waxing - but this only gives me about 2 weeks without hair and then it comes back with a vengeance. I am desperate to sort out this problem, but I’ve had no luck finding laser practitioners who have experience dealing with this problem (and most won’t even admit that it happens).
Has anyone had experience and success treating hairs that have been stimulated in this way? Do you have any idea whether continued persistence over time with the laser could kill the strengthened hairs - it would seem logical that once they are darkened and thickened, they would be more responsive to the laser eventually.
The only alternative seems to be electrolysis - but now that I have been waxing for a year, I’m concerned that the follicles will be distorted, making it harder than it would have been. As it is, the laser (or perhaps the shaving before each treatment) has made the hairs on my upper arms grow in all different directions. I’m also worried that electrolysis would take hours and hours each week if I were to see any difference.
If anyone has heard of a similar experience, or has any words of wisdom, they would be much appreciated.
Many thanks,
Bea