My results, 10 years after laser hair removal

Hair Removal Methods Laser hair removal
#1

Eleven years ago, in 2003, I registered on these forums. I found the community here absolutely invaluable as I started my laser hair removal experience. A huge thanks to Andrea and the other senior members for providing this excellent resource.

I still return to this site occasionally but I very rarely post now. Partly it’s a lack of time, but partly it’s because lately this forum seems to have developed a strong anti-laser sentiment – which is odd, given this is the Laser Hair Removal forum!

If this had been the prevailing attitude when I first registered, I doubt whether I would have continued down the laser path. I would have decided electrolysis was impossible for clearing the large areas I wanted to clear, and I would have lived a miserable, hairy existence. I think it’s really unfortunate that people are now being discouraged from using a perfectly viable method of hair removal.

OK, that’s my rant done. Now I’m going to show my results, a decade after laser hair removal…

Areas treated: Legs, chest and abs
Machine: CoolGlide Nd:Yag laser
Success: I consider it a success. In hindsight, I don’t think the Nd:Yag laser was right for my hair colour (it works best on black hair, I have dark brown) but there was not much alternative in New Zealand at the time. It certainly struggled to target my lighter hairs, and I think a diode would have been more effective, and required fewer treatments. That said, we totally cleared my abs, chest and lower legs, and what was left on my upper legs was so sparse that shaving/waxing was a breeze (and regrowth seemed much slower).
Long-term results: Excellent. There has been some hair return over the years, but it’s minimal. Lower legs are still virtually hairless, and everything else still has far less hair. Bear in mind that a) I’m male, b) I have periodically “supplemented” my testosterone levels, and c) after turning 30, I started sprouting new hair elsewhere anyway.
Future plans: As I say, after 30 I developed a furry back and shoulders. I’ve just started treatment on these with a diode laser, and once that’s done, I might do a few touchup sessions on legs/chest/abs.

And now for the photos. You can see an early Before/After topic I started 9 years ago here: http://www.hairtell.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/26547/1.html

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#2

And here’s what it looks like now…

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#3

Wow. Thank you for coming back. I like the look of your reduction. You still have hair which makes it look natural.

How did the hair on your back upper thigh respond near the butt cheeks?

#4

Pretty good. I would say, like everywhere, there was probably some regrowth over the years, but the hairs were particularly coarse there, so it was quite an effective area to treat. The worst place to treat was the front of my quads where the hair was a lighter colour (in fact on my knees, it was just about blond).

#5

If you don’t mind me asking, whereabouts in NZ did you have your treatment done?

#6

I started with Laser @ Green Bay and Ponsonby (mostly their Ponsonby clinic), then moved to the North Shore Appearance Medicine and Wellness clinic, and did most of my treatments there. They were both pretty good.

I’ve just started my back and shoulders at http://www.aucklandlaserhairremoval.co.nz - I’ve only had one treatment yet, so it’s early days, but I’m very impressed so far.

#7

I’ve seen their website while I was on the hunt for a clinic. Their prices look wicked but they are about 2 hours out from where I live (I don’t own a car). The price of the bus + treatment is still cheaper than what I’m settling for from my current clinic so I’ll definitely consider it if you think they are good :slight_smile:

#8

Yeah, they are good.

Charles is half Indian and was pretty hairy, he tells me, so he started out by treating himself. I think that’s a pretty good sign. He’s also invested in 3 different types of laser machines so they can properly cater to clients of all skin tones. It’s a refreshing change to clinics who convince a client that the best machine for them is the one the clinic just happens to have. They do a lot of work in the film industry (treated most of the actors on Spartacus, apparently!)

I really think it would be worth checking them out. Maybe book your next treatment there, and use it as a test?