Thanks for posting such a detailed journal. It really helps answer questions. Did you have all of the bikini area done?? I’m on my second treatment and I don’t think it’s working on the hair very close to my lips. This is so disappointing and it itches like crazy as the hair starts to regrow. Have you had better results?
I left a strip, so I’m not getting the area that close to the one you’re talking about. I would talk to the tech and let them know what your worries are. chances are they can be more careful in targetting areas more precisely.
I’ve been having some electrolysis on bikini and underarms since December when I last posted on the very few hairs that sprang up here and there. overall, i would say the reduction remains stable at around 95%. the new hairs are very thin and fine and sparse. I’ve probably had 4-5 15 min sessions on underarms (I’ve had 5 laser treatments there) and two 5 mins sessions on bikini (had 6 laser treatments there) to get those few hairs. they’re also not noticeable and easily shaveable without shaving cream or even wetting the area. they’re that thin and sparse. It’s not a big deal since I’m getting electrolysis on other areas anyways, so I have the electrologists grab those few. You find you become a bit obsessed with being completely clear after doing laser, so what I’m doing is not really necessary <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
I’ve also had 2 more laser sessions on the bikini/perianal area (different from what I had done before) to take off a bit more than I did before and well as clean up the perianal area. Both responded very well, in the same way as the other parts in that vicinity. There are still some fine hairs on the perianal area, and I’m deciding whether to get 1-2 more treatments there for it to be completely clear. But I’m not that worried about it as there is so little there now, and I’m spending a lot on electrolysis on my other areas (abdomen, eyebrows etc). So we’ll see.
It’s November 06. Most of your initial laser treatments for abdomen and underarms for the black hair ended in 05. How are your results almost 1 year out?
I’ve been getting electrolysis on the abdomen and the sparse hairs on the underarms since. The abdomen treatments are going well and I’m close to being done. I haven’t really been very proactive in getting to a clearance quickly on that area so it’s taking a bit longer. the reason being that I am doing electrolysis on several areas at once (eyebrows, abdomen, nipple, underarm, bikini, upper lip, etc). i’m getting close to being done with most areas now. on the underarms, we get about 8-10 hairs a month or so. i haven’t shaved since my laser treatments there at all. bikini is also pretty clear on the areas where i had 6 treatments. i think i’ll need a 4th treatment soon on the other part where I got more treatments later since I decided I wanted a bit more removed. Since my last (second or third, i don’t remember now) treatment on that one area, the hairs from the last cycle started coming in about a week ago (it’s been 3 months now or so I think). I haven’t shaved the bikini area either. never need to really.
[image]http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d67/blink800/underarm.jpg[/image]
![http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d67/blink800/underarm.jpg[/image]](http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d67/blink800/underarm.jpg%5B/image%5D){kind=link}
my underarm after 5 GentleLASE treatments and some electrolysis to get the fine sparse hairs. this is right prior to last electrolysis treatment 4 weeks ago.
Very nice.
I’m having my underarms done now (have done the majority of my upper lip/chin, although that is a damned stubborn area.)
I can’t wait to not have to deal with the underarms anymore. Will take til the end of 2007.
I bet you don’t miss shaving the underarms.
Yes, I love not even thinking about them ever and not having a shadow. I can wear whatever I want, sleeves or no sleeves, whenever. I always waxed previously because shaving would still leave an obvious shadow.
Just an update. I had a short treatment today that should be my last. This wasn’t for any “new” hair. This is another treatment on just the areas that I decided to add later when I decided that I want more removed from the bikini and perianal areas. Took about 5 mins. Now, 4 hours later, there is no sign that anything has been done at all. All redness gone as usual. We used 20 joules at 15mm and I’m not even at my whitest at this point since I just got back from Cancun and I tanned beforehand.
Btw, I feel like I’m almost completely done with everything at this point, with both laser and electrolysis. It’s a nice feeling! I don’t need to go for electrolysis more than once a month and the treatments are under 30 mins now. There is no maintenance involved at all. I signed up for the gym and went swimming and I didn’t have to even think about shaving or using a razor at all. It’s great. No more plucking of eyebrows, bleaching abdomen and upper lip, and no more waxing. Sweet <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
I paid for all treatments on “per treatment basis, no contracts”. Here is what I paid per treatment:
bikini (everything around a thong and a strip on top) - $100
both underarms - $100
stomach/abdomen - $75 to start and then $100 since I expanded how much of that area was treated (it’s above and below the belly button and about 3 inches out)
perianal - $75 (only did this once)
The touch-up I did cost me $175, that was for touch-up on all areas.
So, I think I spent around $1500 total at this point on laser with about 5 treatments on bikini and underarms, 4 on stomach, and one perianal, and a touch-up.
Hi,
Those are amazingly low prices. I had just one quote so far, but it’s 3 times higher than that. Maybe I should come to LA for treatments!
I am setting up consultations at a few places right now and trying to find a clinic that has good results / reputation. I live in San Francisco Bay Area (Mountain View), and would be very grateful for any recommendations.
Among my nearest choices are American Laser Center which seems to get tons of negative responses, so I pretty much crossed it. Berman Skin Institute which got a very negative post on another forum. Then “An Enhanced You” with Dr. Robert Lowen - no reviews, and “The Korman Group” with Dr. Josh Korman - no reviews. The price quote I got at Palo Alto Medical Foundation (for example, $300 for bikini). Any information on those places or about other clinics nearby would be greatly appreciated!
Those are pretty average. Some people are getting cheaper prices like Werenotyourafraid in Texas. He’s only paying $50 per treatment for underarms and I’ve seen those prices in LA as well. However, the Bay Area in general is more expensive. There are 2 places in the South Bay recommended here. That’s all I’ve seen for that area, but I’m sure you can find more depending on what laser you need. Have you determined that yet?
http://cosmeticenhancementsforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4128&highlight=bay+area
I estimate that my skin is type III, so Alexandrite or diode type should be used.
check out the 2 places mentioned in that thread.
Thanks!
I’ll try them.
Hi there!
Thanks for the updates. I have started going to Ideal Image to get treatments for my upper lip,chin and upper neck. I am Indian and amquite fair with very dark hair. I had been classified as Skin type IV and was started at 18J ,18 mm spot size using the Candela Gentle Yag laser.I have had treatments so far , one at 18J and the second one at 20J.
The shedding is happening pretty well but it seems like all the hair is growing back by the 6 th or 7th week. It is much finer though than what it was. I am concerned if I would be left with fine hairs after all the treatments…Any suggestions?? Should I ask her to increase my settings? Please advise.
this is completely normal. have you read the FAQs? the hair that is “growing back” is not the same hair. It is hair that was dormant before. please read the FAQs to learn how this process works : www.hairremovalforum.com/faq.cfm
lagirl,
I have hair on my face, it’s fine but I have a five o’clock shadow like a mustache and beard, it almost looks like a pigmentation problem…a severe one…what can I do???
you should read through the electrolysis section of this forum and start your search for an experienced electrologist. This can be easily resolved with consistent treatments, permanently.
everyone, please try to post questions unrelated to this thread in a separate thread. it helps others find answers to their questions.
just to add to the above post, my friend just did research on clinics in SF and palo alto. she will be posting her experiences soon as I asked her to do it. In case you’re interested, she decided on Aura Skin Spa in SF which uses GentleLASE after checking out 5 clinics.
I haven’t update my thread in a while, so let me give you the latest on my treatments.
On March 7, 2007, I had my first treatments on the lower legs with GentleLASE (same doctor) at 14 joules 18mm. I didn’t see a lot of shedding as almost all hairs remained as pepperspots (dead hairs stuck in follicles.) I squeezed some out and they popped out easily. It’s been about 10 weeks now and about half of the pepperspots are gone. The hair that’s growing is growing in VERY slowly. I shave about once a week and the hairs are barely visible (only about 20% actually look like they’re even growing, and very slowly).
I also had my bikini touched up at this treatment. I have very fine hairs growing there, maybe 5% of what I started with (what I started with wasn’t fine though). I’m evening things out and getting those stanglers with electrolysis.
Speaking of electrolysis, I am almost done with my eyebrows now. I only have maybe 5 hairs there every month. Upper lip is stable after very few electrolysis treatments too. I touched up 3 tiny hairs the other day, first time in about 6 months. Abdomen is pretty much done too. There are only about 6-10 hairs that get removed about once a month. Underarms have basically no hair. I get maybe 3 tiny fine hairs there once every month or every two months when I’m already there for an eyebrow electrolysis appt. Overall, I’m very happy
A picture of my leg after the treatment is posted on this site under photos.
p.s. I updated the FAQs to reflect the most up-to-date info and included the link in my signature below so i don’t have to post the link numerous times 