Um, a couple of quickie questions...

Hair Removal Methods Laser hair removal
1

Hi all…

I am so glad that I found this forum. I’ve been meaning to for years to do the laser treatments and just for some reason delayed it.

It was really due to the fact that I thought that my facial hair had to be grown, and I didn’t want to do that! Otherwise, it would have been a full blown beard, and I’m a gal!

Anyway, after surfing a bit tonight, I was really startled to find out that I didn’t have to grow my hair! Cause I shave it every day. Ugh, nothing makes you feel worse in the morning than shaving, when you know that you shouldn’t have to shave and all that…(I’m right in this info, right?)

Anyway, I do have quite a bit of questions and all that, and have tons of more research to do, but I do have several quickie questions, and if anyone can respond, it would be much appreciated.

  1. the hormonal levels, due to PCOS (which is what I have, but I have lost a significant amount of weight, so knock on wood, this no longer applies to me), but the question is that, I always thought the other reason why it was pointless to do it is because if my hormonal levels were off, what was the point of doing it? I thought that it would negate the benefits of the laser treatments because it would grow right back! Is this a valid concern or not?

EDIT: Ok, just checked a couple more posts around here, and it seems that if I don’t have my hormones under control, then, it would convert other vellum hairs into terminal types? Great. Just great! The doc that I’ve put in this post wanted to do an hormonal test first, and I just haven’t gone back to him because I wanted to do some more research. Anyway, it’s a good sign that he wanted to do a hormonal test, right? I think it is because at least it means that he cares that the results would be permanent, instead of just taking my money and running with it and not caring about the aftereffects such as more hair, and others converting? and so on?

  1. How do I find a good clinic in LA? Or more specifically San Fernando Valley? Any help in this area would be SO appreciated! I’m really concerned about this point specifically because I’m so scared of having some permanent damage and having them not caring about it.

  2. What about this clinic? And this doc specifically?
    http://www.midvalleydermatology.com/wirtzer.htm

I did read somewhere around this forum a list of questions to ask the doc, but you know, some of those questions are kind of pointless because the answers can be fudged. So, is there any hard way to verify that the center doesn’t have humongous amount of complaints or what? Or lawsuits? I mean, it’s not everything but it’s something right? Or what else can I do to safeguard myself?

I know this is kind of a long post, and I really appreciate all those who read it through and answered it if possible. I have a lot more questions, but this is just a start.

ps…I’m really really really glad this forum exists! I should have done my research much earlier!!! Thanks again.

2

Would it be possible for you to submit some pictures?

Are you a good candidate for LASER or would electrolysis serve your needs better? Usually there are a mixture of hair colors on a woman’s face and LASER can only go so far in helping you, whereas, electrolysis can treat every color of hair on every color of skin. It has also been reported more times than I wish to hear, that laser hair reduction for facial areas can actually stimulate more hair to grow. I personally have seen this in my own electrolysis practice and it is not pretty.

Electrologist’s that have invested in continuing education and have upgraded their equipment to machines that are computerized to do microflash thermolysis and blend will bring you much deserved satisfaction. It is not a tedious, painful proceedure as frequently described from vatrious of the media and the laser hyper’s. Find an electrologist that has come into the 21st century and has a hygenic office. If you choose to start with LASER, read the information presented by lagirl at the bottom of all her posts. Do keep in mind that you will still need a skilled professional electrologist after laser hair reduction is completed on your facial areas.

You can definitely be helped, so despair no more. I am encouraging you to consider all options and go into any hair removal program with all the facts known and understood. This is better for you wallet and mental health to approach this the correct way.

Dee

3

Have you read the FAQs yet? That would cover all of your questions. See the link below.

To generally answer your questions:

  • If you have PCOS, your body is consistently developing new hair due to a hormonal imbalance. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t get effective laser or electrolysis treatments. What it means is that you will need quick touch-up treatments several times per year, after you’re done with the initial set of treatments. Also, if you do get on medication that controls the hormones (a good endocrinologist would be able to prescribe you either specific birth control or spiro), it would help control your hormones, so you would need less touch-ups, if any.

  • for women’s facial hair, you should only use laser if you have dark coarse dense growth there. it sounds like you might, but a picture would help. if the hair is fine and sparse, electrolysis is definitely better as laser can cause fine hair on a woman’s face to become more coarse.

  • there are many good electrologists and laser clinics in Los Angeles. you need to figure out whether you will go with laser or electrolysis first, before looking for a practitioner. Reading the FAQs should help you get a start.

4

Well, just to do a minor update to this thread, I’ve had two treatments since then…

And, knock on wood, my hair has dropped off dramatically…which is seriously unprecedented for me. With the exception of a tiny area on the side which seems to me a “missed patch”, but I’m sure that future treatments will take care off it…

I can actually go a couple of days without shaving, and more probably, but my habit of shaving my face is really strong since I’ve done it for so long…

However, upon looking on this site again, I noticed that it recommended treatments to be 12 weeks apart, or so…

My treatments, the two that I’ve had were 4ish weeks apart, and my third one is again 4th week apart…

I wasn’t really concerned that it was so soon, but now, I’m wondering if it’s really not that a great an idea…

Though to be honest, I do think that I did luck out with the person doing the laser treatment because she seems quite competent, and does her job the best she can…

However, I’ve got to admit that my treatments were very surprising in one aspect, it hurts like hell! So, the second treatment, she put a numbing cream, which helped very little, but eh, anything is better than nothing, yes? But then again, my pain threshold is seriously low, so, shrugs. The person doing my treatment offered a cooling machine (not sure what to call it), and basically while she does the treatment, I’m holding the thing that blows cool air onto my face, and it barely helps with the pain level, but shrugs…it’s something, yes?

Anyway, any of your experienced insights to my current treatment would be much appreciated…

5

4 weeks is way too early. you should not have anything to treat at that point as shedding only completes at 3-3.5 weeks. and then it takes some time for new hair to develop and come out. you won’t be able to assess the effectiveness if you treat that often. reschedule your appt for 8 weeks from your last treatment. 8-12 weeks is best.

6

Well, to be honest, I have no idea how to assess the effectiveness of it anyway, since I do shave every single day.

In fact this past few days alone was the first time I’ve ever not shaved, and yes, I’ve noticed that hair is growing out, but much thinner, and not as much as before. It’s not as visible. And the only reason why I didn’t shave is that my appt. is coming up in a week…and I was curious to see how much would grow.

Believe me when I say that I literally had an afternoon shadow every single day even if I shaved in the morning…and to even let it grow for one day meant huge visiblitiy…and weird glances.

Anyway, I’m not sure how to approach the clinic and say that I want to have a later appt. since I really do like the people there and especially the girl that does the laser treatments…

Is it really that a big deal? I mean, of course I want the best treatment…and long term solution to this HORRIBLE problem of mine, but, at the same time…

I know…it’s so stupid. Since there are plenty of information out there that can be used to empower yourself, and stand on your own two feet, but reality can be a lot harder at times…

btw, what do you mean by shedding? You mean letting the hair grow up and shed? Which is sort of a moot point with me anyway as since I do shave…

Anyway, I do appreciate you taking time to answer my questions, even if the answer may be glaring obvious…and I didn’t really do the hw as much as I should have…

7

if you can, you really should not shave and just clip for a week or two after the treatment and let the hair fall out. that’s what is supposed to happen.

you don’t need to argue with them. just call and reschedule. you don’t need to give them any explanation. say you can’t make it and reschedule it for when it’s “convenient” for you.

if you treat that often, you’ll basically have and pay for double the treatments you actually need as you’ll basically retreating hair that’s already been treated at 4 weeks.