months ago I did laser hair removal on my cheeks and chin. The hair removal was impressive, but now new hairs reappearing. And not just peach fuzz, but dark coarse hairs.
the person who gave me the laser hair session said that some people don't respond perfectly to laser treatment and the hair removal will never be permanent.
First, is this true, and what can I do about these new hairs?
7/3/07
Your hair grows in cycles making it impossible to treat all of your hair at one time. The goal is to permanently reduce the number and thickness of the hair.it usually takes 3-5 laser hair removal sessions to get the majority of the hairs to be treated. After the initial course of treatment yearly or twice-a-year treatments may be necessary to repeat treat.
8/19/07
i have already had 5 sessions of laser hair removal on my chin. The first 3 did nothing. The 4th, she said she went deeper and i noticed a HUGE difference immediately. I just had the 5th one done last week and she said she was not going as deep. I still have a bunch of hair on my chin. I am wondering if she just may not ba using the correct settings. Anyone on here who would know?
8/20/07
Laser hair removal usually doesn't work on the facial area because on caucasian women the hair is blonde/light and thin. Laser only works on those with light skin and dark hair. Blondes and women of color are not candidates for laser and any center that provides laser treatment to women who aren't candidates is doing their patients a disservice. An alternative is a new product to the US from Europe called Epilar (www.epilar.net). It is a two-step gel that is applied immediately after waxing (on any part of the body) and after 5-10 treatments the hair is gone forever. I've been using the product to fantastic results. It has the same efficacy rate as laser, but works on all hair and skin types.
1/29/08
I read about the product called Epilar which was mentioned above- it looks like it's not something you buy on their website- does anyone know where you can buy it?
1/30/08
Epilar is not a product you can buy for home use, it is a professional add-on service that you get at a salon or spa that provides it. Call Epilar's 800 number: 877-888-2211 and they will give you the name of a spa or salon near you that provides the service. I see that you are in Hollywood, and the Murad Spa in El Segundo carries Epilar as does the Bellameri Day Spa and Ronit Skin Care both in LA.
2/18/08
What are the prices for getting epilar done?
3/3/08
Epilar varies in price from salon to salon, but it is typically a waxing plus Epilar is 2-3 times the price of a regular waxing or less than half the price of laser.
3/9/08
laser does not work! i did 7 sessions and i ended up with more hair than before! now i am tryinmg epilar i hope it works! however it is as expensive as laser! the hairremoval industry is full of crap!
3/10/08
Prices for Epilar vary from salon to salon, but typically are about half the price of laser. If the spa you are going to is expensive, check other salons in your area that provide Epilar treatments. The number to call for a spa or salon near you is 877-888-2211.
Tip: When getting Epilar treatments, make sure your esthetician removes the hair by the root. If you're not seeing a noticeable difference after 3-4 treatments, your esthetician my not be waxing properly.
3/24/08
Jane33:
I own a medspa and we do lots of laser hair removal and since I have never seen you I can only offer some general advice. If you are blond or red head than the laser hair removal may not work well for you. A good, honest medspa should tell you that upfront so you don't waste your time and $$$.
If you have light colored skin and dark hair than the laser process should work well. Under normal conditions, 6 treatments are recommended. You may need more treatments if (a) if you have hormone imbalance, (b) are taking certain medications , (c) the spa/clinic is using less energy (laser output) than ideal for your situation. If you are dark skinned you will need more than 6 treatments. It is not uncommon to have 8-10 treatments for Asian / Afro-American clients.
Let's assume you are a "good" candidate for laser hair removal than you should keep your treatment schedule to 4-6 weeks apart so that the hair growth cycles have been observed.
Rememeber - the laser hair removal is a hair reduction process and some follow-up treatments may be needed.
Hope this helps!
4/19/08
I have had various sessions of laser on my face and it hasnt worked... my skin is tan a my facial hair is dark and course. I have had 6 sessions of epilight and 8 sessions of laser on my face and had no results. Yet i had my belybutton area done in 6 sessions and it worked great. I had a checkup done and my hormones are ok. What else is left for me to do?
4/23/08
I am Cathy Lee email:{edited} from Beijing Sincoheren s&t development Ltd.Q Switch ND:YAG Laser hair removal or IPL hair removal is better than others,it's permanent and safe scarless.Patients should stop any medicine before laser or ipl machine treatment.free consulation to email me
Editor note: We do not allow email addresses to be posted. This protects you from spammers.
4/24/08
In response about not getting results with laser hair reduction. I have been in the hair removal business for over 20 years, have done electrolysis and laser hair reduction for patients in my practice. I attended a comprehensive laser course on laser hair removal (reduction)over 4 years ago, in addition to yearly laser seminars.
First of all, laser works best on skin type I with dark, coarse dense hair growth. Essentially, porcelain white skin, with coarse dark hair responds the very best to laser hair reduction. Areas such as the bikini line, underarms, legs, and back also get excellent results. I have not seen facial hair respond as well, unless it is coarse dark beard growth.
Blonde, gray, white and carrot red hair does not respond to laser, because there is little to no melanin (pigment) in the hair shaft and or follicle. For laser to do any permanent damage, the melanin must be heated, otherwise what we generally see is minuturized or delayed growth cycles of the hair.
The reason the skin type I and non exposed areas (bikini, underarms, etc) do so well with laser hair reduction, is that we can turn up the fluence (energy or intensity) of the laser without affecting or damaging the melanin layer of the skin. So skin types II-VI get less effectiveness with laser, because we must compromise and protect the pigment layers of the skin.
5/12/08
Tomorrow I go in for electrolysis after spending 800 dollars on laser to remove my chin hair. I had 8 treatments over a period of months and today I would say about 70% of my chin hair is back. I am angry and disappointed. I am a red head and NO ONE told me at ideal image that red heads don't have the greatest success with laser. I feel like i have been ripped off.
Now i have to start all over again.
Laser ...stinks
5/22/08
I'VE HAD LASER HAIR REMOAL TREATMENTS WITH THE APOGEE LASER AND I'VE HAD AT LEAST 7 VISITS AND I STILL CONTINUE TO GROW HAIR.. IS IT BECAUSE OF MY SKIN TONE? I AM AFRICAN AMERICAN WITH NOT AS DARK SKIN.. IS IT ME OR THE MACHINE DOES NOT WORK FOR MY SKIN TYPE?...
5/24/08
Has anybody gone to the American Laser Center?
They said that they guarantee permanent hair removal.
5/27/08
plz can sum1 tell me what laser is the best?I am asian with dark hair, i have gone for 5 treatments of IPL which I am convinced has made my problem baby hairs on my face into dark monsters!!I then started the Apogee laser which i did 5 treatments of, I found the results to be better, my skin had a nice glow, and the hair took long to come out...unfortuantely i moved away and its been 4months since my laser and its back to thick hair again!!!plz can sum1 give me some advice, i desperate and cant afford to spend anymore money and hope on a bad outcome.
6/11/08
I just completed laser hair removal of my underarms, bikini, feet & toes. I am not an ideal candidate (I have light-olive colored skin and my hair is brown-light brown with some blonde hairs). I completed 8 sessions over more than a year (every 8 weeks). I am very pleased with the results. My underarms worked the best with only some thin, blonde hairs left. My bikini worked well with still some stray hairs left. My feet & toes did not work as well because there were more blonde hairs there, but none the less is still much thinner than it was. The technician used more than one type of laser on me but I do not know what they were. The reality here is that laser hair removal is not a miracle. Since hair grows in cycles it is actually impossible to remove all the hairs with just one session - even with an ideal candidate. You have to have realistic expectations, and a good professional should share that with you up front. Anyone who gives you guarantees of permanent hair loss is suspect.
I did a lot of research before I made my decision to move forward and on who I would use. I made appointments for three consultations. The person I eventually choose was by far more expensive, but I was also by far more comfortable with her expertise as well as more comfortable with the fact that she used more than one machine (in other words, she wasn't trying to sell me on just one machine because that's all she had).
Laser hair removal does not come without risks, I've read horror stories of botched work - and that readers, CAN be permanent. Make sure you choose a reputable technician and be willing to pay the price.
And one last thing, anyone who tells you that laser hair removal is not painful is an outright liar. I had some sessions where tears just came running out of my eyes (underarms is where it really hurt the most). I took two different types of over the counter pain relievers prior to each session and also used a topical anesthetic. The pain goes away quickly, but trust me, it hurts. I waxed for years and the pain of waxing is nothing compared to this pain. But now that I'm done its all worth it. I would do it all again without a doubt.
6/13/08
I've been going to American Laser Center for a few years. I understand your hesitance about their "guarantee" because I felt the same way. I even asked about it during my consultation and she sort of skirted the question by saying things like "well we can't control hormonal changes over the course of your lifetime." Regardless of this response, I did still choose to go with them because they really put me at ease about the whole thing and made me feel very comfortable. Now, keep in mind that I am an ideal candidate for this. I have very pale skin and black hair so I guess I should get the best results of everyone. With that said, I am very happy with my experiences at American Laser Center. They're a little disorganized when it comes to files/paperwork but I really love that lasers are the only thing they do. It's not like a spa where they try to do a little bit of everything, they really focus on laser procedures. I've done bikini, underarm, and inner thigh, and am so happy with the results. I'm wearing bathing suits again and I haven't done that in 10 years because I've been embarrassed over my bikini line. The technicians I've worked with are so professional, and despite having to expose myself in bright lights, I was never embarrassed and it was never weird. (Maybe that was too much info) Here's another thing I really liked about them - they are sort of negotiable about the price. The technician that's there decides how much you pay. So, when I decided to do my inner thighs, the technician looked at the price and then said "well, since you're only doing about a third of your leg then let's just do a third of that price." They also offer "deals" regularly so you should never really pay the price that's listed.
I hope that helped you decide - as you can tell, I'm pro-ALC!
6/17/08
hello everybody
In the beginning sorry becouse of my english. this is not my mother tounge.
i did in my country 10 face hair removal. first 5 in 2003-2004 than i had a break (pregnency etc) and i start with it again in 2007. generaly iam satisfied but not fully. i would say that 40 % left.
my problem is that i have PCO + hirsutism. (my hormonal levels are ok) what i would suggest if one of you girls have to much unwanted her check yourself if its not policystic ovary. hormonal sickness wchih couses non stop growing hairs.
whats more for the moment iam using epilar and i dont see really big effect.
good luck
7/1/08
Are you still getting these treatments done and how many did you do? Also are you a rep. for this company. I have done 7tx's and see some results but not sure if it will be gone by 7 please help. thanks jackie
7/6/08
I have been going to ALC for what seems like an eternity. I have had something like 13 treatments on my face and 8 on my legs. No results... what's worse is that it seemed to remove some of the vellus hairs (peach fuzz) on my face but none of the terminal hairs. It made the skin on my chin look terrible! I have been on the "non-responder" program and I don't see any light at the end of the tunnel. Bottom line I paid a lot of money for no results and I suspect they and their "guarantee" will refuse to give me my money back. So much for a guarantee.
8/31/08
I've had 4 sessions, after my first session I was really hopeful I had a ton of spotting where hair didn't grow back but by the third session it had grown back.... and now I'm back where I started, I'm furious honestly. i have really pale skin, I never tan because my skin just instantly burns and I have really dark hair on my legs. I'm so frustrate because they told me that with my skin type it'll "come right out" they weren't eve suspecting me of needing gthe full 6.... I don't know. I want my money back 2,500 dollars for nothing...
11/21/08
It's a disservice to mislead consumers. To indicate that all Caucasian women have blond hair is
ridiculous. Unless you are a laser expert, you cannot comment on the technology. The long pulsed Nd:YAG laser is very safe and effective for medium to dark skin types. I do not have a problem with you wanting to promote your own product; however, your information is not factual and very self-serving. This forum is meant to provide objective, ethical, sound information.
L. Haney, RN
Certified Medical Laser Safety Officer
www.celibre.com
11/21/08
The results you received after the first session indicates that you are a good responder to lasers. Also, the early response would suggest that there was much hair in the needed anagen (growth) phase for good outcomes. I can understand your frustration over the hair regrowth. There may be a couple of factors involved: not having the correct settings (fluence and pulse width), an incorrect treatment plan with the correct time intervals between treatments, or there may be a hormonal imbalance. I suggest that you discuss your concerns with your practitioner inasmuch as it is their responsibility to consider these factors for you and to explain what your expectations should be. A good, effective treatment usually results in redness and follicular edema (similar to the look of ant bites) on the skin shortly after the treatment. If you are not seeing the proper skin reaction after treatments, I would venture to guess that the problem may be with technique and settings. You may also want to consider asking your practitioner about using a different technology or wavelength to optimize results.
L. Haney, RN, MEP-C
Certified Medical Laser Safety Officer
www.celibre.com
11/21/08
Hey just wanted to say I called the place I'm getting it done at American Lasiks and told them my concerns and such. They had me come into my next session without shaving so they can look and I am way behind where I should be at but they turned the thing up to the highest level and I got more results this time then the last 3. I still have way to much hair on my legs but I have 1 more session (I paid for 6 at once) and if that one doesn't work I have 2 years of free laser treatment on that area until the hair stops growing. If I still don't have results at that point I get my money back. So I am much less paniced now then before :)
11/22/08
I'm glad you were proactive in your treatment plan and expressing your concerns to your practitioner. The guarantee they offered you is good; however, your time is extremely valuable. You should not have to be treated for another two years to obtain results. An effective treatment will show progress each and every time until you reach a plateau. Good luck and continue to be an educated consumer.
Lori Haney, RN, MEP-C
Certified Medical Laser Safety Officer
www.celibre.com