I tried IPL (intense pulsed light) hair removal, from everything was told and read I was an ideal candidate, dark hair with light skin. Between treatments I was nearly hairless for at least a few weeks, strangers started using the right pronouns, it seemed to work great. It's been 4 months since my last treatment and I've had at MOST a 20% reduction in hair if any, I've noticed it getting thicker and thicker each week, I feel like I'm going through a 3rd puberty. Don't waste your money on this, while it is a small time commitment (1 hour every 6-8 weeks) and you see really great results after about a week or two it just doesn't work.
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Anchorage
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Re: Save your money (corrected info in this post)
Fri, April 25, 2008 - 6:26 PMDiane-
With all due respect, what you have posted here is incorrect (for the hair/skin type you mention--yes you are an ideal candidate). Posts with bad info like this drive me nuts. Please, please, please be sure about your information before posting in a public forum as otherwise you are potentially reducing people's options (or at least adding confusion) and possibly costing them MORE money not less.
The FACTS on laser:
True, there is ~20% reduction in current hair after each treatment with the newest lasers. However, with the newer lasers made within the past few years (make sure to ask/research), they are *permanent.*
The human hair cycle is typical ~12+ months depending on the person and body area. Dormant hairs during your treatment are now appearing. Others beyond the 20% kill rate may be slightly damaged by the laser and go dormant for a while. That is why laser treatment seems to not be working.
The reality is that you have to keep at it. I went from having a lot of shadow down now to nearly none even in the stubborn areas around the chin and above the lips, this is just over a year. Yes, eventually you won't get much return on investment zapping 20% of what's left. Once the facial hair is down to a dull roar, after taking a break (say a ~month) between different treament methods, best to switch to electrolysis to polish off the remainder...as I will be doing shortly.
Note that if you have any major shifts in hormonal levels especially more T that some hairs that were dormant might activate quickly. This happened to me when the anti-androgen spironolactone failed. Fortunately, after the orchiectomy in December, since then
Laser is the best option if you want fast reduction, without a lot of chair time, and have the money.
Anyone that has further questions about this I will be happy to assist. I do not do laser treatment nor endorse for anyone in the field. I am however planning eventually to author some books on transition, and offer a transition planning consulting server. More more details, contact me off the list.
Thank you,
-Heather -
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Unsu...
Re: Save your money (corrected info in this post)
Fri, April 25, 2008 - 6:41 PMI did laser 4 years ago. 6 -8 treatments in the same cycle. I had my first touch up this year. Reduction is at least 98%.
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Re: Save your money (corrected info in this post)
Fri, April 25, 2008 - 6:49 PMHow can my personal experiences be incorrect?
IPL is not the same as laser hair removal, at least that has been my understanding and I was promptly corrected when I used that term.
I am completely aware of the re-growth between treatments. I have had six sessions already and was told that I would have SIGNIFICANT permanent hair reduction after that time. LESS then 20% from my first treatment to my last in not significant. In fairness maybe the place I went to just messed up, 6 times, but I doubt it. I mean each person that did even had a different technique, so I just don't think it is there yet. -
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Re: Save your money (corrected info in this post)
Fri, April 25, 2008 - 7:15 PMSorry for the misunderstanding, the description you gave didn't match how a modern laser typically performs. I have had two different people doing the laser at the same place with similarly positive results.
One thing to note is from your pics I can tell you have a heavy beard (as did I) and with dark hair to boot your results will be a little slower than typical. So patience is warranted, though the laser you have had sounds like a bad one.
Whatever particular laser they are using must not be that effective or permanent. Best to go somewhere else for treatment with one of the newer lasers from within the past few years. The place I go to their laser is only 3 years old.
Good luck! -
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Re: Save your money (corrected info in this post)
Fri, April 25, 2008 - 7:31 PMDo I need to repeat myself, it is not laser. They are actually two different things that use the same principle. They have two different devices, 5 of my sessions were with the new one, the other with an older model. Basically what they do is run a wand over the skin, the lamp in it flashes for a second heating up the hair killing the follicle. Since the hair is dark it heats up and since the skin is lighter it just get irritated for a while. I don't know much about laser except that this isn't laser hair removal. I'm going to see if they will credit me for electrolysis or something since they do that as well, if they don't I'm going somewhere else because I feel like I've been robbed. I just want to get on with my life! -
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Unsu...
Re: Save your money (corrected info in this post)
Fri, April 25, 2008 - 8:24 PMI'm sorry you're going through this Diane, it sounds very frustrating. Might I suggest doing actual laser rather than electrolysis? I've been very pleased with the results over the last 4 years and I have similar hair color/skin pigmentation as yourself. Either way, I do wish you the best.
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Re: Save your money (corrected info in this post)
Sat, April 26, 2008 - 12:40 AMYour first post made it sound like you only did one treatment over 4 months and expected miracle results. We had no way to know otherwise than what you wrote then.
Best to demand a refund and vote with your feet.
Good luck!
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