Laser hair removal that didn't work :(

[miyu]

Originally Posted by o.l.i.v.e.

Hi,

I had my first laser hair removal treatment on my underarm and full brazilian one week ago. I understand it takes several treatments to see significant results. However, right after the treatment, I see the same amount of hair as when I went in for the treatment. Now one week later, the same amount of hair remains. Would anyone know whether after each treatment, the hair is suppose to go away until the next hair cycle? I am concerned the treatment is not effective causing the hair to remain fully attached. The treatment was very painful, on a scale 1-10 (1 being no pain, 10 most pain), a 8.5. I have very dark coarse hair with light skin. Any thoughts? Thanks!

Your skin/hair combo is the best for lasers. The hairs are supposed to fall out within a week. If it doesn't you need to ask that they give you a complimentary treatment and to turn up the power a notch (use numbing cream if you can't take it). There may be overlapping cycles of hair growth which might give the impression that you have the same amount of hair, but you should still see at least 50% of the hairs fall out.

Make sure that the center you go to is certified in these treatments. Some people do not know what they are doing.

Also, make sure to shave the area to be treated about 4-7 days before you go in for treatment, and leave it unshaved until you get the treatment. That way the laser energy will penetrate the root better.

You need 5-6 treatments to see a 90% reduction in hair growth. Even then it's not 100%. But the hair grows back much slower and is more sparse.

[calel]

Currently in the middle of getting my underarms lasered. The first two treatments did absolutely nothing as far as I could tell. However, the third treatment has definitely made an impact. The hair that is currently growing back seems thinner than before. I'm pale with dark hair, so that helps.

I wouldn't bother with doing my upper lip. It's the same fine hair that is everywhere else on my face. I doubt laser would work on it very well.

[paulspnao]

The technique of laser hair removal has become so popular. It can be applied safely overall entire body. Thanks for sharing your informative post.

[Giesela]

For finer facial hair I do electroalaysis. I'm 55 and have been going since my 20s!
For my feet (I had some hair on top of my feet and toes that was pretty coarse) bikini/top of thighs I did laser. It did well on the feet but was the most painful thing ever! 3 treatments, 9 or 10 weeks apart. The bikini area/top of thighs took at least 6 treatments, 6 weeks apart and there was a huge improvement (was very hairy) and was not painful, but now a year plus later I'm starting to see new growth.
I've not been formally diagnosed but have a lot of the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome. So despite now being past menopause I suspect that I will always be developing new hair follicles - this is what makes laser AND electroalysis not permanent. You can kill all your current hair follicles. Then develop new follicles later.

The feet and the bikini area were done at two separate dermatologist offices by 'technicians'. In Ohio a technician (don't know what if any training they have to have) has to work with a Dr. of some kind. Don't know what kind of machines were in the two separate offices. They did seem to disagree on the length of time between treatments which is supposed to correspond to hair growth cycles. You get a treatment which kills all the current hair follicles, then wait 6-10 weeks for the next cycle of hair. Apparently you always have 3 cycles of hair going in and out of dormancy.

I went to a third place to get my legs done. A small area of my lower leg was all I could handle. Maybe because it was near the shin bone or a different machine different pain level? IDK I'm pretty stalwart but I couldn't take it. They have a different machine I'm going to try.

For you ladies getting full brazilians - you do realize that as you age your lady parts can turn darker, the skin gets coarser, thinner, flabbier...an unattractive sight...you might want to leave something to provide a little camoflage

[burgled!]

I live in the UK. I have pale skin and dark brown hair. I have had two full courses of laser on my lower abdomen, where originally the hair was the same length, thickness and colour as bikini hair, and it is much improved. There are bald patches now and the rest is fine light hair.

I decided to have a course of treatments on my 'side burns' but managed to get more coverage from some technicians than others i.e. some of the staff would do my jawline and chin for no extra cost. I then had a scam IPL session (and successfully got my money back) - i didn't feel a thing with the IPL. And, a few months later, my chin is worse than it ever was, by miles!!! My sideburns have finer hair but my chin, jaw and side of face is just a mess!! I suspect that the stupid cheapo IPL has caused the excess hair growth. I obeyed all therules re not plucking or waxing in between treatments. I always encouraged the laser technicians to pump up the power, as i love pain if it gets results.

So, now, on the advice of one of the laser techs, Ive been to see the GP. He gave me a blood test and everything including my testerone levels were normal, but eleven years ago when I was 17 my testosterone was out of range, at the high end of the scale. The GP has referred me to a dermatologist, thank the lord. The GP who I sawwhen Iwas 17 took no notice of my concerns een thoigh I was inconsolable in floods of tears. I am really going to struggle not doing anything woth my faial hair util I get a dermatology appointment, thoigh!! I think bleaching will be est, but some hairs are so thcik dark and wiry that I just know they're going tocome out orange
i should say as well, i went to one of the best cosmetic surgery high street venues. Im sure the operators are trained nurses.