success on male back hair?

Hair Removal Methods Laser hair removal
#1

Hello everyone, I’ve been troubled for the past 5 or 6 years of my life with course, black hair on my back and have tried waxing for so long which only works for a few days before my hair starts showing again and my back breaks out. I want to enjoy my body at the beach but this back hair problem has ended any hopes of that. I’m a college student so cost is a BIG time concern. Is is possible to get my entire back done for under a grand (after all sessions are finished)?

I wanted to see if there were any guys around that have tried laser hair removal on their back and if they’ve had much success. I have read a lot of conflicting information online, so its really hard to tell what’s really fact. Also how much on average would it cost (after all sessions are finished) for the “permanent” hair reduction to be complete?

Thank you all for your help,
Jim
Texas A&M '05

#2

Hello slimjim,

I can probably answer a few questions, I have had 20 treatments over the past 5 years on my back and other areas and can say I myself will never be saticfied with laser.
I did get a reduction in some areas but that still leaves
a medium size rug on my back and some areas are the same.
It seems for most males its a lifetime hobby of getting lasered, even for those who say its a success,they still
get lasered 2-3 times a year. Its not a success with me
until I am permanently done with laser treatments and
that my friend will never happen in my case. expect a reduction but expect to always have a rug at the same time.
Its better than nothing if you dont mind paying some tech
for very little progress. Hope this helps

#3

Hello everyone, I’ve been troubled for the past 5 or 6 years of my life with course, black hair on my back and have tried waxing for so long which only works for a few days before my hair starts showing again and my back breaks out. I want to enjoy my body at the beach but this back hair problem has ended any hopes of that. I’m a college student so cost is a BIG time concern. Is is possible to get my entire back done for under a grand (after all sessions are finished)?

I wanted to see if there were any guys around that have tried laser hair removal on their back and if they’ve had much success. I have read a lot of conflicting information online, so its really hard to tell what’s really fact. Also how much on average would it cost (after all sessions are finished) for the “permanent” hair reduction to be complete?

Thank you all for your help,
Jim
Texas A&M '05

After two treatments with an Apogee Alexandrite laser with an excellent practitioner, I had 75% reduction. It did not grow back. I had eight to ten treatments total and it is 90% gone. After two years of no laser treatments on the back, the regrowth has not changed at all. As you can see from rcrules post, not everybody has success. But I did and I am glad I got laser treatments. The first two treatments were $700 total, which is not too bad. The fees decreased after that. I would estimate I have spent around $2000-2500 to get 90% of my back hair removed.

You can always try a few treatments and see how you respond. If laser is going to work for you, you should see some good results after 1 or 2 treatments. When laser fails it is usually because the person has the wrong skin/hair type or they were undertreated. There are some who seem to be ideal candidates but for some unknown reason do not respond. That ratio is estimated to be at 10%.

There are diminishing returns. As hairs that are not destroyed get finer, they will be more difficult to treat. You will get to the point where the hair is too fine to treat. But by the time I got to that point most of the hair was gone anyway. If I want to be totally hairless, which I am doing on my chest, I can finish with electrolysis and since there is not as much hair left, it is not such a daunting task.

Laser works best on dark coarse hair with light skin. Don’t tan if you are going to get laser treatments. And you will need to wait a month or two to go out in the sun aftet treatment. You can go in the sun after laser if you are very careful and use SPF30 sunblock for several weeks.

RJC2001

#4

Hey slimjim, what were your settings? I just had my first tx with an alexandrite 9300, 21j at 20msec. 1 wk with obvious effects on hair/follicles. LAgirl said to get tech to go to at least 30j. I don’t think tech will go that high. Any evidence out there to convince her to do it? Thanks.

#5

Hey slimjim, what were your settings? I just had my first tx with an alexandrite 9300, 21j at 20msec. 1 wk with obvious effects on hair/follicles. LAgirl said to get tech to go to at least 30j. I don’t think tech will go that high. Any evidence out there to convince her to do it? Thanks.

The fluence settings should be increased as the hair density goes down and the remaining hairs are finer. 20J are OK for the beard especially on the first treatments. But on other parts you will eventually need higher fluences to continue getting results.

When I had my back treated with the Apogee, which is similar to the 9300, we worked up to 40 Joules after two treatments.

RJC2001

#6

I started at 16 joules then went to 18-20 joules on second treatments, and the last 3 treatments have been at 30 joules. I have type 2 skin and I don’t get any burns at 30 joules.

#7

Wow guys, thanks for the info. I myself have fairly light skin and course black hair. According to what I’ve read here, I should be a good candidate for laser reduction. I think I would be pleased if I could reduce a large percentage of the hair and lighten up the hair that does grow back. I’ve heard some deals recently to do a back treatment for 300 dollars. Does that seem like a scam? Should prices that low raise flags?

I just hope that I am lucky and laser treatment works for me because waxing is to painful, I break out, and my hair actually comes back with a vengeance in 3-5 days! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

#8

RCrules, did your results have anything to do with your skin and hair type or was it just the luck of the draw?

#9

$300 is a normal price. it’s not too cheap. what you need to do is find the best tech and not necessarily search by price first. the experience and knowledge of hair removal of your tech is what’s going to make a difference in the results (in addition to laser used and proper settings set etc). for most people with light skin and dark coarse hair, laser does work and will bring a reduction in hair. the % of reduction varies. some experience up to 95% while some more around 30-40%. just have realistic expectations going in. also, even if 100% is removed, which is rare since you can’t target single hairs with laser that easily, most people will need 1-2 touch-ups a year after the initial 6-8 treatments spaced 6-8 weeks apart.

#10

$300 is a normal price. it’s not too cheap. what you need to do is find the best tech and not necessarily search by price first. the experience and knowledge of hair removal of your tech is what’s going to make a difference in the results (in addition to laser used and proper settings set etc).

LAgirl, forgive my ignorance, but how do I go about finding the best tech? Should I ask around and go to free consultations?

#11

first, run a search on all 3 lhr forums for recommendations in your area. then find other clinics through manufacturer provider searches on their websites, google, etc. Then schedule free consultations. I would do at least 3 and compare prices and how knowledgeable the techs are etc. You would be suprised how much prices vary. have you determined what kind of laser you are looking for? that will help you narrow down options as a start. type of laser depends on your skin and hair type. finally, search on this forum for the “consultation form” so you have an idea of what kinds of questions to ask and definitely read the sticky post at the top of this forum that outlines the basics of hair removal. once you know exactly how it works etc and what you’re looking for it will be easier to determine if the person at the consultation knows what they’re talking about.

#12

Hi Jim,

I am glad you had success. If you don’t mind me asking how old are you and how much hair did you have treated? My concern would be if you are a young guy who pretty recently started growing body hair. I got treated relatively young, and later it almost all grew back. I can not be certain whether this is bad laser results or new growth. Seeing though that your post says Texas A and M 05, I would be very concerned about new growth. As you probably know, most college guys don’t have that much back hair, etc. in their college days, but look at a hairy guy in his mid 30`s and up. I hope for your sake, your results stay, I really do, but I wouldn’t count on it long term. If you were destined to be hairy, chances are you are going to have a lot of new growth.

#13

Hello slimjim,

It seems only people with a little bit of hair do good with
laser,I have thick dark hair on my wholebody and I would
bet there’s never been anybody like me who’s made good
progress.There are a few people on these forums who are
happy with there progress but I would bet im 5 times
hairier then them, and most of these people continue
to get treatments 3 times a year.I have tried everything
possible and I have decided to give it up and live
like a caveman for now.I could have continue my laser
treatments at no cost for the rest of my life sinse these
idiots at sonamedspa garanteed permanent hair removal,
local radio,newspaper,but its the same results over
and over.There are thousands of people there who will
be getting free treatments until they give up like me or
sona goes out of business, they are a bunch of losers.