Laser or Electrolysis for excess facial hair.

Hair Removal Methods Laser hair removal
#1

Hello

I am considering getting laser for my face and chest area - I am woman but have excess hair in these areas. It is possible that it is caused by PCOS but the last time I got checked they said I didn’t have enough cysts for it to be properly diagnosed(?) Anyway, my point is - the hair isn’t awful, it’s fairly fine, but just very long and dark.

It is all on my jaw/neck, chin, side burns, between the breasts and around the areola (here it is coarser) but the hair is quite soft, except from where I have plucked it. I usually bleach my neck and chest and thread my chin but the hairs then grow back coarser. Bleaching it makes it less noticeable but it’s too long so it glistens in the light lol - not cool. It also takes about 45 mins for the bleach to actually work on some of the hair, because they are so dark, so they’re not all THAT fine. I’d say maybe the same as the hair that grows on your arm/inner thigh.

I am mixed race (asian/white) so I would say I have type III skin and am going to get a consultation for a place that uses LightSheer. But I have read that if your hair is too fine then Laser could make it worse? So I am unsure as to whether I should proceed or find another way. My sister had Electrolysis on her upper lip but it did nothing, though it is possible this is because it wasn’t done properly. I have another friend who has PCOS and used electrolysis and has now moved to laser because it wasn’t very successful.

So… would the LightSheer laser probably make it worse? Or should I look for a different type of laser? I hear IPL is useless. If electrolysis is better then what kind should I look for? I don’t have much money so I can’t afford to waste it! Also how much does PCOS affect the effectiveness of the process (as I said, even if I have it, it isn’t severe)?

Thanks! :slight_smile:

#2

I would definitely not risk getting laser hair removal on these areas. I had a few dark, coarse hairs on my chin and a few along my jawline. Laser did zap those away, but along with the zapping came a whole new spread of hair growth that was not initially there. Laser made the situation much worse and now I have hair where I never had hair before my laser treatments. I can’t say whether or not this is always the case for women who go for laser hair removal on their face, but it is definitely not worth the risk and I wish I could take it back.

There are both very positive and some negative reviews on electrolysis on this forum. My own story being a part of the negative family, as I have had some bad experiences. I’m still searching for the right person to get the job done. From what I’ve researched, electrolysis appears to be more promising for these areas, but it can be hard finding someone who can do the job effectively and carefully. If you go that route, be careful on who you choose, because you may not get the results you desire or may end up with damaged skin. Browsing through this site is great for educating yourself on what to expect and what to look for. With those tools at hand, you might find someone who can get your situation under control within a years time.Best of luck on your journey!

#3

from my experience never put laser on a female face - again the same happened to me… I had dark hair on the chin, side burns BUT only with dowdy hair on face and neck - nothing that I was concerned about too much. but because laser worked great on my centre of eyebrow (hair was really course here), I thought I would try it on dowdy hair on face and neck thinking I would get same result… uhhhh did I not!!! dark hairs removed but then hair grew all over my neck face area - long and dark hairs that were not there before. I only realised something was wrong after about the 10th laser session…and then did research on the internet and discovered this site, where others confirmed hair growing from laser treatments…defo not worth the risk. I have committed nearly three years to electrolysis to rid the problem and only now am I seeing more positive results. my hair problem initially is hereditary not hormonal, so not sure how electrolysis works if more hormonal. good luck!

#4

So much of my time these days is spent clearing up, after laser mis adventures. It is very sad seeing the result of the misuse of lasers, which are only suited to coarse dark hair on bikiniline ,underarms, legs and some male backs. The previous two posters have experienced this misery first hand. Take their advice and have some sample treatments with local electrologists.

#5

I’m getting laser on my face too(above my beardline) and the last treatment the dumb technician started zapping at areas where i don’t have problem hairs.
i hope those vellus hairs don’t become a problem soon. yikes. i’m male btw so maybe it won’t happen to me?

#6

What type of laser was this? I went for a consultation yesterday and asked a lot of questions about regrowth etc. but she said the hairs aren’t too thin (they’re not vellus). At the moment they are long and thin… ahhh so many decisions! Is there anybody who has had it successfully? I’m beginning to think I should just live with it and keep bleaching/waxing. Or just shave. I don’t know! I don’t have enough money to experiment.

@Leo1 - what do you mean by ‘dowdy’ hair?

I don’t want to just go ahead with something, I just don’t know how I’m going to react.

#7

I’ve been thinking that laser is probably not worth the risk since my hair is probably not thick enough and there is no way I’m going to spend a load of money if it could make the problem worse. So I guess electrolysis is my next option right now.

How many hours should I expect it to take or how much can I expect it to cost? I know it is ambiguous but if I can have a rough estimate that would be good. Are we talking £300 or £10,000? Lets just say for the face (sideburns, chin and neck).

#8

Too many variables to predict time and cost for you, but maybe one of the brave electrologists you decide to get a consult with will wager a guesstimate, since they can see you. Generally, I can give an estimate of three to five hours for a female face to clear all bothersome, noticeable hairs. Then it is on to the waiting game for the next group of hairs to appear in two or three weeks and then we clear again. I use one of the high tech thermolysis modes offered on my epilator of choice to accomplish clearances over the next 9-18 months. It is a great way to tackle hair as soon as possible.

#9

Thanks for your advice. I’m so indecisive! The thing is, I realise that some people have had hair induced by laser but how likely is it? I am just wondering if I am only hearing the horror stories but that there is a possibility it would be successful?

#10

I heard a percentage attached to laser induced hair stimulation, but I don’t know how they even derived at that percentage. I heard it occurs in 10% of the cases on certain areas. Can anyone back that up with some reputable data?

#11

dowdy=fine hair. which was on my face and neck line, but I had dark course on chin and centre of eyebrow from overplucking my brow. so to test laser out I chose to laser my brow as very small area and cheap. I was so impressed with the treatment that after about 6 tr4eatments I moved onto chin - again saw good treatment. at this point I thought it would be nice to have no hair on my face at all and did my face and neck. laser defo caused the hair on my face and neck to become course - electrolysis all the way I say. good luck

#12

Leo, good advice to mixedbeast. You have lived through this laser induced hair stimulation scene and people like mixedbeast needs to hear from people who have experienced the worse side effect of laser hair reduction. This can be remedied with good electrolysis care, so don’t despair.

#13

ahh same thing happened to me !so frustrating they should stop laser !!! im doing electrolysis cross fingers pray for me!

#14

Laser hair removal is better than waxing and electrolysis if you want to reduce the number of treatments as well as cost. Most people we talk to prefer laser hair removal than other options. Although it might be more expensive for each session, in the long run it is actually less expensive.

Jade

#15

If I can work out how to upload photos I would show you many before and after photos of clients who have had laser induced growth and the fantastic permanent results electrolysis has produced.

I had laser induced hair growth on my face 13 years ago. I got it permanently removed with electrolysis and have been hair free ever since.I am now an electrologist helping many people going through the same pain of unwanted hair that I went through.

A big hug and kiss to M.Hawkes for being such a great electrologist.

#16

Your statements are not true. If you we’re being totally honest, you would have included statements about what laser cannot do for those with light hair or fine hair and how much money they end up spending as they hope and hope some more for the promises made. You would have mentioned the risk of laser hair stimulation for some? many? clients. I know you are trying to put the fluffly side of your livihood on display, but consumers really respect honest business owners. We have plenty of action here about laser hair reduction experiences, so it is very hard to fool the hairtell community with half truths.

#17

Added to the above two comments, if anyone would like to see what is possible with modern electrolysis please see the thread “Diary of a European Guy”. Here we see the results of electrolysis on a dense area but within a decent time frame and price that can more than compete with a course of Laser treatments (for better results :p).