Redhead looking for info

Hair Removal Methods Laser hair removal
#1

Hi all -

I’m new to the site and am looking for any info/experience anyone has with laser hair removal as a redhead/blonde. I had one treatment already via a friend’s referral, but it was out of town and am now looking for something closer to home. I have been reading alot on the subject and seem to be finding some conflicting info when it comes to red/blonde hair. Some sites say red/blonde hairs can be treated with laser, some say they can’t. Of course, I’m being told that it can by the Laser Tech, it’s just going to take more treatments. I was just wondering if there’s anyone out there who can shed some real life experience…

Thanks! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

#2

laser doesn’t work on blond or red hair for 99% of people. anyone telling you that it definitely will and requires more treatments, wants your money. i bet if you ask them to provide you in writing that if it doesn’t work, they will refund you. they will not do it. i think i’ve only read about 1 instance when it worked on someone with sort of red hair, but i think it had brown in it as well. what happened on your one treatment? did the hair shed after 3 weeks? what did you experience? that would be the first step to judge. There are also IPLs and lasers with “RF” technology that claim to work on blond and red hair (Aurora and Comet), but so far noone has ever reported any results on that color hair from either.

If I were you, I would go for electrolysis if you really want this hair removed. That’s the only proven option for red, blond, and white hair as of right now.

#3

Thanks for the info, that’s kind of what I was suspecting. My treatment was only 2 weeks ago, so I’m not sure yet about the shedding part, but will definitely keep that in mind. I do have some brown in my hair, but it’s probably 70% red and blonde. I think I will ask them about the “in writing money back” thing, just to see what they say.

Okay, not to sound like a total wimp, but I’ve heard electrolysis equated to dying or childbirth…i know you’ve had it done, what do you think? How did it compare (painwise) to laser? Do they provide you with a topical anesthetic or should you get your own? I wouldn’t even know how to begin finding someone to do that, it’s scary enough even if you had a great referral to a Dr.

Thanks for your help.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

#4

you can read the electrolysis forum on this site. many electrologists take their time to answer questions (and you can run a search for referrals or look up electrolysisreferrals.com). the pain is not any worse than laser, it’s just that hair is removed one-by-one. it will really depend on your pain tolerance level. on some areas, i can relax and almost fall asleep during an hour-long session. the little pricks really don’t bother me. i don’t use any anesthetic either. most people don’t. there is also the effect of really wanting the hair to be gone that plays a part i think. if you are thinking of the fact that you won’t have this hair anymore, it’s much easier too <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I think going through it wouldn’t be worth it for some people who are really not bothered by the hair. the more it bothers you, the more you want it gone, the more you don’t notice the pain <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> but in general, i really don’t find it that painful. I’m getting eyebrows, upper lip, breasts, and stomach done. there are a few more sensitive spots (upper lip, around belly button, some areas by the hip bone where skin is thin), but otherwise, it doesn’t bother me much.