A couple of years ago the HAIRTELL forum was really helpful in my finding my current laser/electrolysis practioner in LA. I had been going for about 3 years (working on laser on my back and electrolysis on my ears). Unfortunately my practitioner’s no longer doing evening hours and I’m finding that I might have to find an alternative.
I’m ideally looking for someone who does laser and electrology (to keep up my regular routine).
I have seen many recommendations on the forum, including TINA REYNOLDS, ROBIN HARRIS, and SABRENA SMITH. I don’t think any of them are RNs, but I see that some of them work out of dermatology offices.
For what I’m looking for, is there anyone you would recommend more over another?
I have read some people experiences (i.e. lagirl) and looks like Dr. Bapbour an option. Only thing is I don’t know if I classify as light skin (I’m Latino - light brown, not dark brown, skin).
I don’t know of anyone good who does both. And the only ones I’ve heard of use IPLs, not true lasers for LHR. So I would pick a laser clinic and an electrologist separately.
Out of the three you mention above, Robin is the only one who doesn’t do evening hours I believe. She may do Saturdays, but I’m not sure. Any of them are good at what they do.
In terms of laser, please read the FAQs below and let us know what your skin type is according to the chart there. You need to pick a clinic that has the appropriate laser for your skin. Also, what area in LA are you in?
Also, I’m curious as to what exactly you have had done over 3 years. That is a long time and it seems that you’re still not at your goal. Have you been working on the same areas? What elecrologist and laser machine did you use before? What area are you looking to treat now?
Thanks lagirl for the super quick reply. Well actually, let me clarify about my treatment. I was going someone in Long Beach during the first year, doing electrolysis on my back. After I year, it got pretty expensive an I didn’t see much difference. For the last two years I’ve been doing laser on my back, but not routinely (there are large gaps in my treatment just due to the realities of financing). But I am seeing an improvement. As for electrolysis, I’m doing it on my ears maybe every two months.
With a more diligent plan (and pending finances), I hope to finish up the ears and the back. The laser with the back is definitely most expensive. I feel it might take forever to do it with electrolysis and again, after the first year, didn’t see much of a change.
Thanks for your help! I checked out the skin chart and I think I might either be a III or IV. Probably a IV. My skin is tanned well in my arms, but my back is lighter. The only part that burns (if at all a bit) is my face.
the way you’ve been doing electrolysis is counterproductive and is making you spend a lot more money and time on the process that you need to. what you should be doing is saving some money so that you can get complete clearance on an area (say your ears) once, and then come in as SOON as you see new hair pop up. if you wait too long, the hairs go into dormant phase (i.e. 2 months is too long) and cannot really be killed effectively. I would change your approach to get resuls. If you do the above and stay on that schedule where you kill hair when they’re weak as soon as they come in, you should be done within 12 months from clearance. There is someone else on the forum seeing an electrologist in the Long Beach area (namesake I believe). Run a search and read her posts for a recommendation.
You could be light enough for an alexandrite laser like GentleLASE which would be most effective. This area can be treated once every 3-4 months effectively, so I wouldn’t worry about timing. However, you should really make sure you’re using the best laser for your skin type and high enough settings. All treated hair should shed within 3 weeks after the treatment. Also, you need to make sure not to tan the area you’re treating with laser so that high settings CAN be used.