POSTED UNDER Laser Hair Removal REVIEWS
30 Year Old Female and First Laser Hair Journey
ORIGINAL POST
Well I never knew my issue with what was going on...
WORTH IT$150
Well I never knew my issue with what was going on with my body until I was much older . I have PCOS. If anyone can relate, I struggle with my weight, facial hair and some skin discoloration. The discoloration has improved a lot once i figured out what products I could and couldn't use and also I had to change my diet up.
So anyways. My facial hair issue has gotten worse Over the years and I started to get ingrown hair . Honestly trying to pick them out became a hassel and caused lots of dark spots.
Imagine the embarrassment when dating . I would never want anyone to touch my face because they'd feel stubble . But because my face is so light , the hair and/or dark spots were obvious unless wearing concealer .
I have always been hesitant about going to a dermatologist but decided to recently to get some help because I can't continue to live like this. I don't want needing to pluck, shave to control me .
I never thought it laser hair removal because I thought it would be expensive .
Yes $150 is a lot but that's only every 4-6 weeks . I had to just cut back on a few other things .
It only took about 5 minutes to do the laser . It felt like a quick burn and pop with a rubber band . The pain lasted about 1 second after each zap.
The smell of burning hair was strong.
Afterwards they used a cold wet paper towel to soothe my skin.
No follow up pain but some slight swelling wear I had ingrown hair.
I go back in one month and will share my experience to
She said that I cannot pluck or wax but I can shave ! The spots should go away according to her.
Sigh. Wish me luck
So anyways. My facial hair issue has gotten worse Over the years and I started to get ingrown hair . Honestly trying to pick them out became a hassel and caused lots of dark spots.
Imagine the embarrassment when dating . I would never want anyone to touch my face because they'd feel stubble . But because my face is so light , the hair and/or dark spots were obvious unless wearing concealer .
I have always been hesitant about going to a dermatologist but decided to recently to get some help because I can't continue to live like this. I don't want needing to pluck, shave to control me .
I never thought it laser hair removal because I thought it would be expensive .
Yes $150 is a lot but that's only every 4-6 weeks . I had to just cut back on a few other things .
It only took about 5 minutes to do the laser . It felt like a quick burn and pop with a rubber band . The pain lasted about 1 second after each zap.
The smell of burning hair was strong.
Afterwards they used a cold wet paper towel to soothe my skin.
No follow up pain but some slight swelling wear I had ingrown hair.
I go back in one month and will share my experience to
She said that I cannot pluck or wax but I can shave ! The spots should go away according to her.
Sigh. Wish me luck
MsElleSand's provider
Replies (58)
July 14, 2015
I am anxious to know how soon after treatment you needed to shave. How frequently do you shave? Does it make the hair grow even more when you shave? When do they expect that you will get rid of all the hair permanently or long enough...
July 15, 2015
I mostly plucked the hair but I can't now. I probably needed to shave every 2 days. It's been just a week but I can't wait to go back. I have already noticed a decrease in ingrown hairs. Even though this is my first treatment, I don't think I feel the growth has slowed but maybe I'm expecting to much to soon. I go back August 6.
July 15, 2015
They told me probably 4, maybe 6 treatments at the most. She said that if anyone ever tells you that this is permanent for life then that's untrue because it could be years and years down the line but you may (maybe not) have some growth. No one can say 100% that you will never have that problem again
July 20, 2015
I have PCOS too and there are a number supplements to help balance hormones. I don't want to suggest any because different things work for different people, but I was able to balance my hormones with supplements. There ate many Facebook groups for PCOS thatv give a lot of info and where a lot of women share their experiences.
UPDATED FROM MsElleSand
5 days post
One week since 1st treatment.... Almost
If anybody is like me, you'll understand how Ive expected to see some super drastic changes . Not quite ... At least not with hair growth anyways. I do notice that I don't have as many ingrown hairs since my first round of LHR. It's really been a struggle to not pluck though. Again, they ask you not to pluck but only shave because the hair follicle had to actually be there in order for the laser to zap it . I HATE SHAVING. Once the hair starts to grow back, of course it's thicker and more noticeable but I'm following the rules cause I want to best results. I haven't had much shedding and there still hasn't been any side effects. My face never felt like anything had been done. I had some slight swelling and I mean only noticeable to me. I'm going to post a picture on Thursday which is a week actually so you can see the difference if any
Replies (8)
July 15, 2015
Good luck to you! I also have darker skin and I'm afraid to do lasers on my face. I'm rooting for you! Hopefully you have great results and I may be more inclined to try it myself.
July 15, 2015
Oh my gosh, I can't imagine not being able to pluck -- chin hairs are the most annoying thing ever! Thanks for keeping us updated on your progress.
July 16, 2015
Yes please keep up updated. I have chin and lip hair bad. Have thought about lazer but didn't think it would work or everyone would do it. Thanks for sharing your experience and please keep us updated.
July 16, 2015
I'm about to post pics. I wish I would've taken some better before treatment pics .
Just go with s dermatologist and let them tell you what's your best option. I was always so scared of how they'd judge me cause i had s bad experience before with one but be brave sister! Take that first step and know that I'll be cheering you on
Just go with s dermatologist and let them tell you what's your best option. I was always so scared of how they'd judge me cause i had s bad experience before with one but be brave sister! Take that first step and know that I'll be cheering you on
August 13, 2015
Give it time girl! I felt the exact same after my first treatment with laser. I am now at my 4th treatment and I probably have 10 hairs left.. going from over 100 to begin with. As for the hairs falling out, well some you could exfoliate and rub out immediately after, and the more stubborn ones took up to a month to pop out on their own. Remember that hair grows in cycles so its hard to tell how many hairs are actually being destroyed, that's why there is the wait period typically between 4-8 weeks. My first round of laser It felt like only 3 hairs came out and I was completely discouraged as it all grew back just as fast. And that may have been so because they probably weren't in the proper growth cycle just yet. However, by the 2nd treatment I noticed 25 percent reduction. As I said I am not onto my 4 and the results have been great. Its been 8 weeks since my last session and there are hardly any left. Try your best just to shave, don't be tempted to pluck, it will distort the hair follicle and make it much harder to destroy by the laser. Good luck girl, its a long journey but worth it in the end!
August 14, 2015
Thanks . I'm on my 2 treatment and better results but slow of course . I know within time it'll be better
Thank you so much for your encouragement !! It's truly appreciated
Thank you so much for your encouragement !! It's truly appreciated
May 28, 2018
Where did u go because I did laser an it seems to only have gotten worse more coarse and longer
UPDATED FROM MsElleSand
6 days post
1 week! Picture time
Soooo clearly this process is kinda slow. Ugh!can it just go away yesterday!! I guess not. Again, less in grown hair but still noticeable growth. She said that as the hairs go away the dark spots will fade. I also use a fade cream that's RX but I buy from my derm.
But I'm praying and hanging in there and hoping for the best . As i stated in a comment , I wish I had taken better "before" pics but we'll work with what we have.
Also if any of you struggle with PCOS and have dark spots due to the insulin resistance (ex: the darkness on my neck) I will say that the topical cream I was given for that has really really improved my skin on my neck, face and back. It's called Desonate and my skin is not so irritated and the breakout is cleaning up... In its own time and pace of course :)
Any questions!?! Please feel free to ask me, I'd love to help others in any way I can.
I also appreciate your support very much
But I'm praying and hanging in there and hoping for the best . As i stated in a comment , I wish I had taken better "before" pics but we'll work with what we have.
Also if any of you struggle with PCOS and have dark spots due to the insulin resistance (ex: the darkness on my neck) I will say that the topical cream I was given for that has really really improved my skin on my neck, face and back. It's called Desonate and my skin is not so irritated and the breakout is cleaning up... In its own time and pace of course :)
Any questions!?! Please feel free to ask me, I'd love to help others in any way I can.
I also appreciate your support very much
Replies (22)
July 19, 2015
I have the same problem and I am soooo depressed! I am scared about shaving.....how often would you say you have had to shave after your first treatment? I usually pluck every other day and of course have dark spots all over my chin.
July 22, 2015
I shave every two days. This is new for me because I maybe would shave once a week but I would pluck every day after I washed my face. It's hard for me because since I'm not plucking the area where the hair is has a shadow and it's more noticeable . My hair is very very coarse so when it does grow it was thick and shiny
July 19, 2015
What type of razor do you use and do you notice the hair after you shave or is it clean.
July 22, 2015
I can't think of the brand . It may be bic but they are disposable 8-10 pack multi color razors in a hot pinkish pack. I'll look when I get a chance . It is super smooth when I shave..
All other razors irritate me for some reason but these work good and are about $4 a pack
All other razors irritate me for some reason but these work good and are about $4 a pack
July 20, 2015
It gets better. I'm curious because I know you said your doc put you on meds to regulate your hormones, but have they checked your testosterone levels since to see if it's working. I ask because if not the hair will still come back.
I recently finished 6 treatments of LHR on my lower face and neck and am VERY happy with the results. I know that say don't pluck the hair, but I did pull out the hair that was easy to remove, if it gave any resistance I left it and then shaved it. The dark marks from plucking will fade drastically too once the hair is gone. I'm SOOOOOOO happy I finally finished my treatments and don't have to tweeze and butcher my face EVERYDAY like I was doing before.
You won't regret it!
I recently finished 6 treatments of LHR on my lower face and neck and am VERY happy with the results. I know that say don't pluck the hair, but I did pull out the hair that was easy to remove, if it gave any resistance I left it and then shaved it. The dark marks from plucking will fade drastically too once the hair is gone. I'm SOOOOOOO happy I finally finished my treatments and don't have to tweeze and butcher my face EVERYDAY like I was doing before.
You won't regret it!
July 22, 2015
Thanks!
My gyn gave me the meds and I haven't been on those in about a year. It was mainly given to help regulate my cycles and they've been pretty normal . But that's something I will talk to them about now that you've mentioned it . I admit I plucked a few... Mostly if they were about to be ingrown.
She did laser two areas on my face as well and I haven't seen much hair at all there
My gyn gave me the meds and I haven't been on those in about a year. It was mainly given to help regulate my cycles and they've been pretty normal . But that's something I will talk to them about now that you've mentioned it . I admit I plucked a few... Mostly if they were about to be ingrown.
She did laser two areas on my face as well and I haven't seen much hair at all there
July 20, 2015
hey, i have same problem, i do waxing on my neck to remove my hairs, but now i am fed up with the pain, i want to go for laser treatment, so can you suggest me that is it good and how is the result that you are getting.
July 22, 2015
I've heard it works. I've only done one treatment and I do notice slight improvement . I will definitely keep you updated . I go for my next treatment in August 6th
July 23, 2015
Having done both on my face, I would recommend electrolysis. After the laser, it all came back. Electrolysis is permanent (of course, new follicles can become terminal hairs, but those killed will not come back). With electrolysis I can go twice a week if I need to so I don't have much growing at any given time. I started twice a week, after two months of that I can go about every 10 days now.
February 28, 2017
I have done electrolysis for YEARS on my chin, and the hair keeps growing. I don't believe it is permanent. I had done laser years ago, and I am hoping these new lasers are better. I shave every few days - plucking and waxing leave me prone to ingrown hairs. The electrolysis I have had done for years didn't work. I don't have PCOS.
Welcome to the community, thank you so much for sharing your story with us. It's funny, last night I was researching the cause for aggressive chin hair, as I deal with it as well, and PCOS was the main cause. I am curious, aside from treating the chin hair, were you given anything to balance your hormones?
Now when I mentioned having a baby, my doctor did put me on medication to balance my hormones and regulate my cycles but that was only a couple of months
I have trouble loosing belly fat, but I am not overweight -- I think am going to go for a check up and ask about this. Thanks for your reply :) Best wishes.Â