Six months ago, I had a full beard of deep-hued hairs: thick, full-faced, and rapid in its growth. Being a woman with a five o' clock shadow that would show after a day of not shaving was a rather embarrassing and negative situation, and I was exhausting many options in an attempt to garner some results. When looking over the testimonials of others who had been in my situation or similar, from both cis and trans women on sites like Susan's Place or Reddit, a number of them defended the merits of laser hair removal, and some dismissed the procedure. I wanted to find out why there was such a harsh schism between varying experiences or opinions. I approached the idea of laser hair removal with what I considered to be a healthy degree of skepticism. I knew that 100% removal of growth is not a realistic outcome, and so I researched the subject quite thoroughly to discover the best options. I was able to reach the conclusion that the equipment listed at Advanced Aesthetics was often cited as a more effective type of method when compared to others on the market. It seemed that the negative criticisms and feedback that were often accredited to hair removal providers were the result of the treatment facilities' misinformation regarding their held technology. There is a large difference between APL (Advanced Pulsated Light) and actual laser technology. Furthermore, lasers themselves have a curve of effectiveness that is dependent on two factors: staff comprehension and skill, and the quality of the laser in question. When digging through forums on Reddit, WebMD articles, and various blogs featuring beauty tips or patient reviews on the subject of hair removal, I was able to discern several useful things about laser hair removal that were commonly written about. They were as follows: 1. Lighter pigment skin (pale or light olive) will generally see better results. 2. Lasers are most effective at targeting darker hairs, between deep brown and black. 3. Hair growth happens in a few cycles, so a single session of removal will not yield very noticeable results. 4. Most laser hair removal businesses will offer consultations and package deals. 5. The more effective laser technology lies within the type of diode or housed lenses/crystal. All of my research indicated that this would be a worthwhile venture for me, and that should I purchase a package deal that I might find moderate, positive results. Advanced Aesthetics met with the metric with which I was judging potential options, and I decided to meet with them for a consultation, wherein I had signed up for a discounted six session package that would be spread over a six month period (one session every four to five weeks). I just finished my sixth session, yesterday. The staff members at Advanced Aesthetics were incredibly helpful and polite, and they did wonderfully in their ability to further articulate and add affirmation to the things I had already come to understand regarding laser hair removal. They were accepting and accommodating, and I was not made to feel uncomfortable or embarrassed about needing to remove the thick, dark hair that I had. Over the six sessions, I have seen tremendous results, nearly completely removing the dark follicle pigment shadows and the deeper colored hairs which comprised a large area on my face. I was estimating that I would see around a 40% reduction by the end, but I am happy to say that it is much closer to over 75%, and the hairs that do linger are of lighter tones. Not only that, but the regrowth has stunted and slowed down due to some of the growth cycles being severely affected by the lasers, meaning I can go longer before needing to shave what little remains. This was an overwhelmingly positive experience, and I feel so much more confident after these six sessions. I can safely say that the laser hair removal offered at Advanced Aesthetics is an experience that is very much worth the potential results. From the amazing staff, the clean and pleasant offices, to their knowledge and ability to deliver great services, they are at the forefront of advanced beauty care. I cannot thank them enough, and I would definitely recommend having a consultation with them if you are curious about improving your own hair removal needs. Thank you, Advanced Aesthetics, Spokane!