Laser Hair Removal For Facial Hair?

I have gotten laser hair removal done on my bikini area and the pain pretty much feels like being snapped with rubberbands. You can also ask for a prescription cream that you can put on an hour prior to your appointment to numb the area. The best part is the treatment itself only takes 10 minutes or so and after its over the area feels fine. I have sensitive skin and i have never had any adverse reaction to the treatments. Unfortunately it isn't an instant fix. It takes anywhere from 5-10 treatments to get rid of all the hair and even then there is no guarantee some more won't sprout up.

I come from a long line of women with hair on their chinny chin chins and as far as i know none of the prescriptions they've come out with have done anything to improve the situation. I know my grandmother tried a cream (i'm not sure its the Vaniqua you are talking about) that was supposed to slow hair growth but she said she couldn't notice a difference.

Hope this helps.

The pain will depend on how much you want it off! It is not cheep, and at the dermatology office where I work, all patients who want it must sign a paper saying they understand it might not work. My co-worker who had it done says, yes, it hurts, but she is not sobbing right afterwords, if that is any use to you.

Have you tried plucking? That should last much longer than shaving. Londa

I've performed laser hair removal many years. If the hair you are troubled with is black, or darkly pigmented, you're in luck. The ideal candidate has light skin and dark hair. The laser targets the melanin in the hair beneath the surface, so before embarking on treatment, be sure to not be plucking or waxing or removing in anyway other than shaving or trimming. Treatments will be 6-8 wks apart, with probably 5-7 treatments permanently reducing the amount of hair present. You will more than likely have some residual hair, but it will be lighter and finer in appearance. Good luck. Pain? Depends on your tolerance level, and the density and thickness of the hair, and you can have topical anesthetics applied and you should be comfortable through the procedure.

leanne chaisson

October 30, 20080 found this helpful

Mindy: have your doctor test you for PCOS (polysystic ovarian syndrome), this could be responsible for your facial hair, my daughter has this problem as do I and this is what the doctor told us. He gave her a prescription but I don't know what it its called, perhaps Vaniqua. Your first step should be a doctor. Hugs, Cinnamon

I have had my full legs, the top of my foot, around my bikini area, and my under arms done with laser hair removal. I agree with it feels like a quick rubber band snap. I have noticed that every once in a while a spot on my legs will itch and it is always red in the areas where I had it done for about an hour or two and sometimes for the rest of the day. So if you do it, don't go out that night.

It was expensive (I had 50% off too) and it didn't get rid of all the hair but most of it. My last treatment is Saturday and I will still have to shave afterward. My legs are the thing that I am disappointed about. I wish they could have been done better but I can't do anything about it now. You don't want to pluck or shave before your appt either. They need the hair visible and above the skin but not long. When it is long, it stings more. Just to let you know. Let us know what you decide to do. I say go for it but that's just my opinion.

If you don't fit the qualifications for laser hair removal, try electrolysis. Especially good if your hair is very fine.

Rachel Aguilar

November 10, 20080 found this helpful

I've been getting laser hair removal for a while. I too am a freak of nature and shave my chin area 2x a day. My skin tone is fair and the hair on my chin is dark brown to red brown. I have lots of peach fuzz on my face and 10-15 stray dark brown hairs in the side burn area that i just pluck. When I used to pluck my chin hairs would get a lot of ingrowns and infections (like big pimples). So i started shaving. When i decided to get laser treatment i researched on the different types of laser machines used. I decided to go with a company that just does laser hair removal and has vested dollars to back their laser research. The machine that is used on me includes laser and radio frequency. The laser has a cooling plate which is helpful. I was told that facial hair is a little harder to treat because it is a hormonal area. I have seen some lightening and thinning, and still shave twice a day.

I get my full legs treated as well. I have hair from my ankles all the way up to my bikini line, inner thigh, and back of thighs. The top of my legs were always the most painful to shave because the hair was so thick. The hair on my legs are dark blonde-brown. I was told this was a little harder to treat because of the lack of pigment. I have had wonderful results with my legs. The hair has thinned, lightened, bald patches, etc. And it's easier to shave.

Pain----i had a hard time tolerating the pain. Not at first though. I was on a lower setting (for fair skin) and the settings gradually increased. There were times when i did cry. So.....I ordered a prescription numbing cream from Canada (with out a prescription) and it has helped dramatically. They should provide you with ice packs before/after treatment and a post-laser cream. I also take herbal relaxation pills because i get anxious about the treatment. An MP3 player has helped relax as well (leg treatments with a double pass can be 2 hours!).

Vaniqua does help, but you have to use it consistently. When I stopped using the cream, the hair came back. It's not permanent and there are some hairs that just won't go away.

Nair was always so harsh on my face and i had stubble after treatment plus it clogged my pores and i ended up with pimples. I could never stomach waxing. Too painful. Plus it doesn't make sense to me to rip something off my skin once a week. Would that cause wrinkles?

If you do decide to get treatment research the different types of lasers/machines used and the companies. Do they have just one type of machine, do they have a maintenance plan with their machines, do they have their own R&D into the machines? All they need is a doctor to run the operation and hire technicians that are trained on the machines. I opted not to go to a fancy place that can also do botox and a host of other treatments.

Also, try to not pluck as this will interfere with your laser treatment by retarding hair growth and the follicle.

I know that was a lot and hope that helps!

Mindy

November 10, 20080 found this helpful

Thanks to everybody! I think I probably will go for it sometime, I will need to come up with the money first though. I am so desperate that I am willing to try anything at this point. Lucky for me I have dark hair on my face so hopefully it will work. When I ever get it done I will report on how well it did or didn't work, but it will probably be awhile from now. Thanks again:)

Had Laser, went for all the treatments what a waste. Yes, it's uncomfortable. Have to shave (hate doing it) every day. I've even tried nair. It works but doesn't get it all, maybe I dint do it right.