So, its a concern then. I like to use AV immediately after my face treatment to handle the irritation/pain/burn, but I only use it just that ONCE. I think it helps reduce swelling and is helpful, but I would hate to think that I am slowing (reversing?) my progress this way!
I am new here. I have been working up the courage to start electro but like you laserhater, I had an awful experience with laser. I have been reading all the posts here for months and have been finding them extremely helpful. I always feel so alone with this problem. I am a female with type II skin and I have problem with dark facial hair.
Anyway, I wanted to add my two cents about the aloe. I always found it funny that this is prescribed as aftercare for electro. In college I got alopecia areota and the doctor told me to use pure aloe to have the hair grow back. It is supposed to stimulate hair growth and it work for me back then. HTH:)
Hey Ready4Help,
That’s crazy about the aloe! Personally, I do not use it because it always made my skin feel like it was burning. (Yes, James, I always used the 100% clear pure aloe vera) I prefer witch hazel & tea tree oil for 2-3 days, then a corticosteroid for 2-3 days, then my anti-aging, collagen stimulating moisturizer twice a day. But now I’m really glad I didn’t use aloe because of these side findings! I am sorry to hear about your bad experience with laser. I know how alone you feel. It’s awful, isn’t it? But you are not alone! What are you doing now about the hair you have growing? How many laser treatments did you have?
It is nice to know I am not alone! These boards are providing such a great service for people with this embarrassing problem.
I had 9 laser treatments (alexandrite laser @ 28J) on entire “male beard” area in 2001 -2002. I saved up for over a year to be able to afford this.
After 5 treatments I went on bc pills. I notice improvements from the laser, it was better (less hair in some areas) but if I didn’t shave everyday, you would notice it in bright light after 9 treatments.
I went on like this for years. It started getting worse year after year. I would shave in the morning ( a habit I got into from the laser treatments) and in the late evening I would have stubble again mostly on my chin.
I got married this spring and went off bc pills in June and all hair let loose!!! I was on Yasmin for the past 3 years which I just found out is an anti-androgen and is supposed to slow facial hair growth in woman. I guess it worked because all the hair plus more which I am sure is laser induced is back. The hair is course and very dark and I have light skin.
I am not sure why I have this problem. When I was 16 naired my face when I probably didn’t have to and It has been a problem ever since (I am 29). Then I started to wax which might have made it worse.
I am shaving now, and I need to do something get rid of this hair permanently. I am convinced after spending thousands that lasers should not be used on anyone’s face. I have a doctor’s appointment next month and want to see if i have PCOS. The doctor tested my hormones years ago and they said everything was normal but I have a couple symptoms of PCOS ( facial hair, thinning hair on head, acne - not really bad but I think I am too old to still be getting pimples) and think I should check it out again.
I have been scared to get electrology because of the red bumps- scabs. I am good at hiding this hair problem. But I think I would pass out if someone noticed these bumps and hair.
Laserhater I think you are so brave for going through with elecro. Your posts have been so helpful. It sounds like you are making steady progress but it sounds tough at times. I just have to jump off the cliff to do it too! I really want to get this fixed and get on with my life.
I went yesterday for a 30 min. appt and got some great news. . . there was hardly enough growth to zap! I couldn’t see much myself, but I never know what she will see under the magnifying lens. I know I am not comletely done, but to even be this far is so exciting! Also, now that I can go so long in between appts., my skin really has a chance to rejuvenate and it is looking better. Also, since the growth was so sparse and scattereed, I am hardly having a reaction this time. I am sticking to my aftercare plan, but it looks like I am a week out instead of a day. I can’t believe this. I am feeling so much better about things. Finally, a good post from me!
We’re all still rooting for you, laserhater. You’ve given me the idea to print and show your posts to some new clients.
I had a lady yesterday say to me before we started, “How much longer?” I could tell by her body language that she was uneasy and looked full of worry and doubt. When I looked at her chart, this was her fourth appointment and we were at the ONE month mark. I gently went over the time factor as related to hair growth cyles ------- again. No problem. I never was a cheerleader or a coach, but boy do I feel like one in this job. Many people need to be reassured many times in those difficult first 5-6 months.
ready4help. sorry you had an unfortunate experience. it really sounds like there are some hormonal issues going on due to where the hair is located and association and changes in growth with birth control pills etc. glad you’re seeing a doctor again. i would try to find an experienced endocrinologist this time around. sounds like you know it’s important to determine the cause if any before starting any hair removal method so that you can actually get results this time. good luck and let us know how it goes.
I have a question. . . I have scheduled an appointment for 3 weeks past my last appt., but it looks like there won’t be much to do. I still need to go though because I want total clearance permanently. Am I better off going for a shorter appt. time (15 min.) more frequently or a longer appt. time (30 min.) less frequently. I know it is important to get the hairs in the right growing phase, so I want to do what is right. What is the longest I should ever go in between appts. if I still have growth coming in (although it is minimal)? I am so happy to be asking these questions now instead of panicy worst case scenario ones. Thanks to you all for helping me through this.
Your minimum should be in the 3 to 6 week range. Of course, if you don’t mind going for 15 minutes a week, you can get great nit-picking, and, or start your next area, if there is such a thing.
Congratualtions… now honestly, don’t you wish you had started with electrolysis to begin with?
Oh, only about 500 times a day. I have spent most of my electrolysis time removing hairs I didn’t even have before laser. I’ll tell you, this was a huge hurdle to jump in my life. Not to mention the $$$. I spent $2200 on laser and $765 (so far) on electrolysis, and I’m not exactly Donald Trump’s wife! Anyways, thanks for the time frame issue information James. I just really hope they don’t have a major finding later on down that Gentlelase does actually cause skin damage or collagen breakdown or any other of those hideous problems. Believe me, I really do stand behind my username after this experience! I was a sucker for all of the MILLIONS of advertisements by doctors offices. I really wish I had found this forum before instead of after. One thing I do now, before I do anything I search for a forum on it to hear real life pros and cons. . . another positive from this experience. I just post so hopefully others can learn from my mistakes.
You are welcome, and thank you for paying it forward, and giving it back. Without people like you, it doesn’t work for the rest who lurk or never register.
OK, I went in yesterday and only needed 15 min.! It has been a little over 3 weeks and I could only see a few teeny hairs, but I want to finish the job. I had originally booked the appt. for 30 min. but only needed 15 min. of treatment! (I did pay for the entire time that I booked, though. I feel that’s fair because her time is money & I am not interested in doing any other areas so I paid out and left early.) But we did agree that I only need to book for 15 from now on. I am so excited. I never thought I would see the day that I go 15 mi./once a month for clean-up. Things are going awesome. My face hardly looks like anything was done, just a few mild dots that are nothing out of the ordinary for me. They will be gone very soon. Yea!!! I’ll keep posting what happens.
This all sounds like a very classic outcome. Be sure and share the name of your practitioner in the referral section. We need more like her in this profession.
Hey R4H!
I was wondering if you were still reading here. I sincerely hope you have some answers soon. I am so happy I did electrolysis and hope you have the results that I am. My mental state has done a complete 180. Facial hair on women can be so devastating. I’ll keep posting and hope you will too.
OK, It’s been 35 days since my last electrology appt. I scheduled one for tomorrow, but just for 15 min. I have a few hairs I want to zap. They are very fine though, just getting long and dark. It will be interesting to see how long my appt. actually is. It’s so amazing how this process worked so well. I’ll post tomorrow after my treatment with more info.