Scared new girl hoping for a little advice...

Hair Removal Methods Laser hair removal
#1

Sorry to start a new thread, but I’ve been lurking here for over a year and I’m starting to realize that I may need answers that are catered to me a bit more specifically than the generic ones I browse for.

I’ve always been wary of lasers because they aren’t necessarily a great solution. I would prefer electrolysis, but would never finish in my lifetime (super coarse, dense hair over my entire body). Seriously, it would take a million years and way too much money to proceed with electrolysis. So I want to try lasers because they seem to be a faster method for many of the areas I need help with. Is that an accurate assumption?

I suppose I’d go with an alexandrite laser. I’m very very pale (type I skin in most areas I’m guessing), and my hair is primarily black or very dark brown. I should be a perfect candidate. I’m thinking of doing my lower legs for some sessions, and then electrolysis for any regrowth. At that point, would it just be simpler to invest in electrolysis from the get-go? Would someone with my coloring even bother with electrolysis when I’m such a perfect candidate for laser?

I have no money, and will have to pick my course of action wisely. I don’t want to waste money on electrolysis if laser would be 90% effective on me, but I don’t want to waste money on laser if it’s as unreliable as I hear. Even a 60-70% reduction would be worth it I think if the reduction was permanent. So you laser gurus, do you think it’s worth pursuing over electrolysis based on the sheer amount of hair and my personal coloring?

#2

I’m not sure if you’ve been reading this section of the forum carefully as we constantly repeat that for areas with DENSE COARSE hair laser is the BEST method. It will get you 95%+ reduction on that type of hair in a lot less treatments and money than electrolysis, and yes permanently.

Electrolysis is great and will work on any type of hair, but it’s not an efficient method for any area that’s the size of an underarm or bigger AND has COARSE hair all over it because laser can kill that hair faster and in less treatments.

You definitely need to go with laser for your legs given the situation you describe. Of course, you need to put in the time to do proper research to find a clinic that is knowledgeable and has a good alexandrite laser like GentleLASE. You will likely be happy even after 4 or so treatments because it will be so easy to shave and you will only have to do it rarely. But yes, you always have the option to finish with electrolysis once the remaining hair is too fine.

Btw, truly COARSE hair for laser is the type of hair most have on bikini area. Most women don’t have coarse hair “all over their bodies” as you mention. It may be dark and long, but likely not all coarse enough for laser.

#3

Haha, My leg hair and my pubic hair are impossible to tell apart when placed side-by-side, assuming I trim them to the same length. That’s how bad it is (I’m Italian with hormone problems, pity me). :frowning:

On my arms and tummy where the hair isn’t so bad I am suuuper worried that a laser will have no effect at all. I would probably have to inquire about that at a consultation though.

I guess I just wanted a little shove to gather the courage to make some appointments. So thank you! Now you’ve got me all excited about it. 95% would change my life!

Any recommendations for clinics? I am in Orange County, CA and I am willing to drive closer to the LA area if I have to.

I’ll also do a forum search…

#4

There are several recommendations for clinics in LA. The most recent one is one in Downtown LA with GentleMAX which is a new machine by Candela that has both alex and Yag options. That would be a good one to try.

Can you post pictures of your questionable areas? It’s good to show it to the clinic, but some may not be honest or knowledgeable on whether it’s worth treating since they’re in the business of making money. We can be slightly more honest :slight_smile:

You can definitely get 95% removal on coarse dense hair like bikini line. I did. You can ready my story at the link below. It’s a life-changing experience.

What kind of hormonal issues do you have? Are you on medication for them?

#5

Oh, it would be awesome to get some non-biased advice on my questionable areas!!! I don’t have a camera though. I’ll see about borrowing one and post some pics before I commit to any lasering on those areas.

Regarding my hormonal issues: I have no insurance and no doctor, so I am unable to be properly diagnosed, let alone get a prescription. Based on my symptoms, my previous doctor suggested I have really bad PCOS. But I procrastinated on the tests, and a month later I was laid off and lost my insurance. :frowning:

It’s been 6 months and I can’t find a job with benefits (and it doesn’t look like I’ll find one soon), so treating the hormone issue is off the table for a good few years I’m sure. Bleh. Hopefully that won’t negate my laser treatments in the long run.

#6

You can still get treatments. Just be aware that your body will likely be developing new hair still due to the condition if it’s not controlled. So expect to need some touchups in the future.

#7

Okay, I was pricing some places, hoping to schedule a few consultations for my lower legs, but they are quoting me between $450 and $600 PER TREATMENT on my lower legs. That seems incredibly expensive!

I live in the OC, and most of the spas in Newport are kind of high-end. Does anyone know any less expensive (but still effective) places that use the GentleLASE in Southern California?

EDIT: I found two centers that I am interested in. Coastline Dermatology ($200 per session, fourth session free) and Silhouette Plastic Surgery ($180 per session, but they won’t give me a consultation since it’s not a major surgery).

Does anyone know anything about these centers? Thanks!!!

#8

There haven’t been a lot of posts on the OC, but there are lists and recommendations for clinics in LA. One forum user is currently getting treatments with GentleMAX in Downtown LA, which is not too far from you. It could be an option. I believe prices are reasonable. Lower legs cost somewhere between $200-300 on average. I would definitely only choose places you can assess via a consultation first.

#9

Okay, I have a consultation with Coastline on Monday. I tried to find the LA clinic you mentioned, but there are a lot in LA, so I can’t tell which one you were referring to. :frowning:

What settings would be best for me? I don’t care one iota about the pain. I want the best settings allowable (Pitch black and coarse leg hair, very pale Type I skin).

Also about 8 weeks ago I used an epilator on a chunk of my lower leg (so that I could compare growth rates with some electrolysis I had tried). Only about half has grown completely back though. Since laser can’t work on dormant hair anyway, is it okay if I proceed with laser? Because the hair that hasn’t grown back wasn’t in the growth-stage and wouldn’t have been affected by the laser even if I hadn’t epilated, right? Or do I have to wait until it’s all back?

(sorry for being kind of confused, and thanks for all the help so far).

#10

Look for posts by Bryce. He mentioned the clinic’s name recently. Other clinics I mention in LA would all work for you as well, though they’re not as close to you. They all have GentleLASE.

If you epilated 8 weeks ago, you’re fine. It is back now or will be back within a week or two.

#11

Okay, I had my consultation (useless because they only let me see a nurse, not the technician, and the nurse didn’t know anything except prices which I already knew).

There are two other clinics I’m interested in, and I need your help LAgirl!! (seriously you’re like my hero).

One of the clinics has awesome prices, but they use a Cynosure laser. He says it’s won awards and that it’s a great laser, but I trust you guys to give it to me straight. The other clinic I like uses a Gentle Yag laser.

I know GentleLASE is ideal for me, but is it worth entertaining these two clinics as options? Will these lasers be weaker or take more sessions? What’s the diff? Should I just go with the GentleLASE clinic (I liked their clinic, but money is still an issue).

#12

Which Cynosure laser? It’s a company name and they make Apogee alex lasers which are decent as well as Apogee Elite which is both alex and Yag in one.

Did you find the Downtown LA clinic bryce mentioned in the last month? Use the search feature at the top right - Advanced Search.

#13

I figure that since I found some good clinics near me, I don’t have to drive all the way up to LA now. The clinics I found are charging 150-200 per session for lower legs. I am not gonna beat that, I don’t think.

I’ll call tomorrow and ask what type of laser the cynosure is.

#14

Okay, the Cynosure is an Apogee Elite Alex & Yag.

Also, another company with incredibly good prices (I am going to call again for the prices, because I can’t believe this is accurate), is charging $630 for 6 lower leg sessions with the GentleLASE.

That’s $105 per leg! But the lady said there is 80% clearance after 6 sessions, which sounds low. Don’t most people have like 90-95% clearance after 6 sessions?

#15

80% sounds in range. Most people need 6-8 treatments. It depends on how coarse the hair is. All the coarse hair should be gone by 6-7 treatments.