MtF looking at laser for face, questions

Hair Removal Methods Laser hair removal
#1

Hi I’ve been perusing the boards, and need some advice.

I signed up for laser hair removal at my local American Laser Center a few weeks ago and I go in next week for treatment. That is unless I find something better.

For 6 treatments of beard+neck, it will cost me 1800 dollars, this is very reduced due to signing on at consoltation (a no-no, I know) and due to a contest I won with their company.

What I’m curious about is, they offer 2 year guarantee on their hair removal, and I wanted to know if this was pretty good? As in if anything grows back, they remove it for free.

Also, I haven’t started hormones or anything yet, and was curious if these could possibly trigger regrowth.

Finally, this amount seems pretty cheap to me, and if it reduces enough in 3 years, I would think if I had any real regrowth I could finish the job with electrolysis. Would this be a correct assumption on my part?

Thanks tons for any replies <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

A

#2

Hi Angela:

Laser will help reduce facial hair somewhat, and some people have claimed to have good results with it. It is not effective on lghter colored hairs or greys however. In my case it was only partially effective and I had lots of dark hairs growing back too.

Finally after 9 laser sessions I switched over to electrolysis, and after 107 hours of that I have hardly any facial/neck hair left. All told I have been at it for over 2-1/2 years now.

Hormones don’t seem to apreciably affect facial hair.

I am currently full time and post-op.

Alicia

#3

For $1800 I could get most people to first clearance, and some people into their second clearance on a face job for an MtF. There are enough people who can attest that a full first clearance provides noticeable permanent stable reduction.

#4

just an FYI, that chain always runs these “contests” to make people feel like they won and get them to sign up. not to say that this particular place is bad, but there are mixed reviews about this chain. it’s hard to judge them overall, since every location is different. hopefully, yours is one of the few with actually well-trained techs, good laser, and not a high employee turnover <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />. normally, it’s recommended that you have at least 2-3 consultations to compare prices etc. prices can vary as much as 100-200% from 2 places across the street from each other. i also prefer not to prepay for treatments just in case I’m not happy later and want to switch. make sure you look into all options and decide that this place is the best one before you committ if you have any options at this point.

what is your skin and hair type? what laser are they using? these are important factors to consider. guarantees are also not very important since laser doesn’t work on everyone. if it works, you might need it. if it doesn’t or they’re not competent, a guarantee won’t help much. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> finding the most experienced tech with the best laser for your skin and hair type are the important factors to consider.

yes, after a successful treatment, most need to finish with electrolysis to get complete clearance. laser has a diminishing returns effect as your hairs get finer and don’t have enough pigment anymore to get affected by laser.

#5

Well, I have light skin with dark brown and some red beard hair.

I was looking into mostly electrolysis, and was going to go that way, when I won this contest.

I only put 20 dollars down at the consultation, since I didn’t have my check book on me, so even if I do cancel, I will not be losing much. 20 dollars for good information is a fair trade in my opinion.

I just noticed a long standing and well recommended CPE in my area, so I think I’m going to contact her and cancel the laser treatments.

Thanks very much for your replies everyone, I’ll keep you posted <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

A

#6

laser won’t work on red hair, but I think it would be worth it for you both in time and money to have a few laser treatments before starting electrolysis. laser will be able to get most of the darker coarser hair, making electrolysis a faster process overall. personally, I think that’s the most efficient way to go. That’s what I’m doing too and very happy with results. i would make sure to get treatments with a reputable tech with a diode or alexandrite laser, but even a Yag laser will work and will be more gentle on the face. It’s up to you.

#7

See that’s what I was thinking, is use laser to thin my hair out, and I get 3 years really.

I figured about 4,000 dollars total for face and if I spend 1800 on laser and get a good result, and the rest on electrolysis, I would be very happy.

Not looking for a quick fix or anything.

It just seems like a lot of money with mixed results, at least with electrolysis I know in time it will all be gone permanently, you know?

Thanks again,
A

#8

Hey if any of you are still checking this thread, I called ALC and asked them what type of laser they used, and they said the LightShear Diode, but couldn’t tell me the model number. I find it a little odd that they can’t just go back into one of the rooms and look, but maybe it was occupied.

Has anyone had experience with this laser before? How were your results?

The more time I look at laser the more time I really wonder if it’s worth the risk of bad results. I don’t make tons of money so anything I have is worth a lot to me, you know?

Thanks again,
A

#9

AngelaF, I have had four treatments with the LightsheerXC diode laser. I am a female, type II, but had a fairly dense hair problem on my chin, and under chin. Generally, the results have been impressive. I would estimate that I have about 50% reduction. I would have hoped to report more than that, but oddly I have had some significant regrowth since my fourth treatment a few weeks ago. I did sign up for a 6 pkg deal. It was about a thousand bucks plus it does include a years worth of free touchups.

I will say that the regrowth is a little finer than what I had before, so at least I am not plagued with an obnoxious 5 o’clock shadow. It’s still dark enough, though, that the future laser treatments will effect them…I hope.

The Lightsheer Diode XC has a 12mm spot size, and they used anywhere from 30 to 36 joules on me. The pain level was intense the first visit, but tolerable for subsequent ones.–obviously, the denser the treatable hair, the more painful it is. From what I have read, the diode laser seems to require more operator skill than the other types, such as they should use compression and accurately overlap, etc. I do not know for sure, but I think the XC model is the only lightsheer with the 12mm spot size.–the others being smaller. Anyway, it’s supposed to be the “gold standard” and a big stinking deal laser…but they all say that.:slight_smile:

#10

LightSheer is a good laser for skin types I-IV in good hands. Yes, practitioner skill is important because it’s more effective if they don’t use a gliding method, and do use compression and overlap not to miss spots, as well as use correct settings (usually 25-30 joules and over). LightSheer models are eitehr 9mm or 12mm spot sizes. GentleLASE lasers go up to 18mm in spot size.

Angela, this laser should give you good results in good hands. Personally, I would do it first and then finish with electrolysis.

#11

I really appreciate all the feedback!

I’m going to go ahead with it, if I keep doubting it it will inevitably not happen. I know I have a good skin type/hair color for it so why not try it, right?

Thanks again for the feedback, I’ll post how the first treatment went on Wednesday <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

A

#12

Hi:

Just for the record, I was treated with the Lightsheer Laser at first.

Now I am finishing with electrolysis, and have just finished my 109th hour with that method. The face of a

M2F TS generally has a lot more hair than even the hairiest of women. I have heard of some M2F’s needing 200 or more hours of electrolysis. James had one case which took 275 hours, but he said if she could have come more often it would have been less.

It would have been nice if laser had done it all for me, but it was partially effective. It wasn’t a total waste however in that it probably saved me some hours of electrolysis. Now in finishing with the electrolysis I am at a point where I am very happy with the results. I can now go without any foundation makeup whatsoever. Also for the record I am full time, post-operative and legally a female now. Having a hairless face is extremely important for me to not stand out. That saves me from both embarassment and possible harassment.

I would be very careful on what settings they use for laser on the face. They have to be high enough to be effective, but you don’t want burns on the face either.

Alicia

#13

I agree. For the face, lower settings should be used on LightSheer to avoid burns. It would be helpful if they can do some test spots. Since the hair is also very dense, sometimes a Yag laser can be a bit more gentle on the face even for lighter skin. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

#14

The reason you didn’t get an answer is because you reached their national call center. You spoke to someone who was well trained in how to get you to schedule a consultation, but who knew far too little about the equipment, technology, etc. LOL on the big national companies.