Laser hair removal ?

[MelissaD]

I have a few questions for anyone that has had laser hair removal.

How did you pick the facility? Is there anything in particular I should look for or stay away from? Did it work *forever* like they say it will? Anything else I should know? I need to get all my research done before I approach DH about spending a chunk of change.

Melissa

[Twinmom]

I did it on my eyebrows and yes, it has lasted "forever." Well, at least for the last 8 years! I'm so happy I did it! Haven't plucked my thick Italian eyebrows since I had it done! :hurray:

Can't offer you much advice on how to choose a facility, as I used my sister in law. However, I know it is very important to choose carefully as the hair will grow back if it isn't done properly. Try to get lots of recommendations from people in your area and consider going once then waiting a while before going back. That way, you'll have a chance to see if the lasered hair begins to grow back...

Good luck!

[Holly in FL]

I haven't had it done...but, I know my dermatologist's office offers that treatment. Maybe you should check there. ???

~Holly

[NicksMama-Zack's Mama Too]

Honestly, I picked the facility based on location and price - it's across the street from my best friends and they actually listed their prices on their website (no hard sell).

I felt very comfortable with the person who did it. I am having my bikini area done, so I was embarrassed. She made me feel really at ease. I was grateful that there was no hard selling me on getting other areas done.

I wish I'd known how long it was going to take, if so I'd would have started sooner. I have to go every 7 weeks for 6 treatments. A single treatment only takes 15 minutes or so. I didn't find it very painful at all.

My best advice would be to ask around. Visit the facility and see if you feel comfortable there. If you want more details you can pm me.

K

[Claire]

I was going to a medical spa for something else and did a "trial" sample of laser treatment on my face. I would ask about doing this before committing to a procedure. It was very painful for me, which decided me immediately against proceeding with it. In my case, the area they worked on grew back too. I would go in with a Sharpie and ask them to mark the sample area. That way you can check whether the hair grows back or not.

I would look under dermatologists in the yellow pages. If you can find a spa that is run by a dermatologist, that should be safe and effective (and probably also luxurious). Probably any dermatologist that advertises cosmetic work will offer laser hair removal.

[NicksMama-Zack's Mama Too]

I was going to a medical spa for something else and did a "trial" sample of laser treatment on my face. I would ask about doing this before committing to a procedure. It was very painful for me, which decided me immediately against proceeding with it. In my case, the area they worked on grew back too. I would go in with a Sharpie and ask them to mark the sample area. That way you can check whether the hair grows back or not.

I would look under dermatologists in the yellow pages. If you can find a spa that is run by a dermatologist, that should be safe and effective (and probably also luxurious).

It was explained to me that 20% of your hair is in the growth stage at any time. It is during this time that the hair folicle (sp) can be affected by the laser. That is why you need multiple treatments. Also, 2-30 days after the procedure, the hair that was affected will "shed" and will not grow back because the laser has destroyed the follicle. You will appear to have stubble as the hair is being pushed out. During your treatment, you are not supposed to pluck or wax your hair. You need to have hair growing out of your follicle so the laser can find it. Dark hair/fair skinned people have the most success with laser.

Here is a link with lots of info:
http://www.hairremovalforum.com/faq.cfm#6

hth,
k