hair removal (merged)

milkybars

I've been thinking about laser hair removal for a number of years but only recently in a financial situation to be able to afford it.

In the long term I think I'd save money by not needing to buy razors and shaving foam (although usually I use cheap hair conditioner as a money saving measure). Also saving time too and time is money these days!

Anyway I've been trying to extensivley research the matter but all web searches throw up are clinics that claim it's the best ever and warning sites from people with bad experiences, many didn't go to a clinic that had suitably trained staff while others went ahead with the laser treatment despite having the wrong skin tone or hair colour required for best results.

Anyone on here have any experience that might help me make the decision?

lostinrates

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=40186

lots in the link above, to a thread about three lines down from this one

patchwork_cat

I am not sure about Laser as I am fair and having read about skin discolouration have some reserves.

I am having electrolysis and have done for about 10 years. I am getting very fed up as at the moment I seem to be having to every 3 weeks whereas it was 4 weeks. Having read soem info even transexuals only have to go for 2-4 years, so something isn't right!

How long have you had electrolysis, how often do you go and how much is it? I will start - About 10 years, every 3/4 weeks, £16.00 for 15 mins (don't offer 10 anymore!)

ali1972

patchwork_cat wrote: »

How long have you had electrolysis, how often do you go and how much is it? I will start - About 10 years, every 3/4 weeks, £16.00 for 15 mins (don't offer 10 anymore!)

Back when I had it, before my laser days, I used to have 2 hours electrolysis at a time. I can't remember how often I went but it was frequent and by going at it hammer and tongs I did manage to clear some large areas and make a big difference. The way my hair was then 15 mins would never have touched the surface. It sounds extreme but that's why I went to a specialist electrolysis salon and frankly with PCOS (and dark hair, to boot) I needed long sessions to make an impact. I think I had hundreds of hours of treatment over about 3 or 4 years. It made a big difference to the hair that grew back - it was much finer. Except I stupidly started sugaring the chin and neck area again when I stopped electrolysis, which made that grow back thicker, and I never had the courage to have electrolysis on my upper lip so that was more of a problem. When I started laser treatment it was really for those areas, although I've also zapped the downier areas too.

ali1972

That's a good point that I'd not considered - IPL is intense pulsed light - which is supposed to be good for all skin types/hair colours, which is why they recommended it for me as fair/blonde, so maybe it is not as good as the conventional laser method. I think I am going to go back to the clinic and see what they say about my pigmentation (I'd not gone back to show them how its turned out).;)[/QUOTE]

I found this handy website with FAQs about Laser and IPL which said this about IPL:

"Be aware that hair removal systems that use traditional light for treatment (Intense Pulse Light machines or IPLs) are not true hair removal lasers. These devices use a highly concentrated beam of traditional incoherent light, often in conjunction with a cream or gel, to burn the hair shaft. A serious flaw with these systems is that they lack the laser's ability to produce a selective bandwidth of light that will only affect the hair shaft (selective photothermolysis). These devices produce a wide bandwidth of light that can heat up all of the surrounding tissue. IPLs are generally cheaper devices and are used for various skin procedures first and foremost, with hair removal as more of an afterthought. Judging from consumer feedback, true lasers usually achieve better and faster results for hair removal purposes."

I know this doesn't really help you if you're not suitable for standard laser treatment but it might explain your skin's response to the treatment.

patchwork_cat

OMG ali- I thought I had a problem! 2 hrs, I have enough after 10 mins! was that just face? I have spent the morning ringing around and am feeling very frustrated, so many don't do blend. I just feel that after 10 years I shouldn't have to be going back every 3 weeks. Being fair, though, most laser removal isn't an option and it seems that the Harley Medical group are the only ones that do laser on fair hair. I am concerned about the pigmentation issue, though. I rang up a clinic that did IPL and they said it wasn't suitable for fair- think that this may need more research on my part and more phoning around! Share our knowledge base!

koalabear_3

patchwork_cat wrote: »

I am not sure about Laser as I am fair and having read about skin discolouration have some reserves.

I am having electrolysis and have done for about 10 years. I am getting very fed up as at the moment I seem to be having to every 3 weeks whereas it was 4 weeks. Having read soem info even transexuals only have to go for 2-4 years, so something isn't right!
,
QUOTE]

I've had electrolysis for 30 years , I don't go so often now, my tash went many years ago but i still have a few stubborn chin hairs, the elect operator finds it odd that i still have some.

I'm not convinced the process should be marketed as permanent.

you are not alone!

Lady_Tara

ali1972, thanks for that info and the link, interesting and it looks like I was led down the wrong route which is why I've ended up with the dark pigmentation. I am going to go back to the clinic and see what they say... I'd be interested how any other fair/blondes get on as I'd like to see if I could have an alternative treatment.

poshnosh

I went for a consultation and test patch yesterday for laser hair removal using the IPL. The patch test cost £40 plus a gel and special hair removal trimmer which amounted to nearly £20 (found they sell much cheaper on ebay)!

Before i decided to go to this local clinic I rang some of the more established ones like sk:n and others. I have had laser done before, many years ago, with sk:n but found the staff incompetant and I was really not happy with their work. Seemed like they were doing a really quick job, left pigmentation on my neck, and were more interested in getting the numbers.....

Anyway at the local clinic, after an hour, the lady said it would cost me £80 per session for laser on my face (upper lip, chin, cheeks, neck and sides). sessions would last 20/25mins. As I had IPL many years ago, I;m not sure if this price is good or not.... I dont have to pay in bulk at the beginning like you do with most of these co.'s, only after each session. It was suggested I needed 12 sessions - once a month - and after that maybe every 3 months as top ups - but this all depends on the laser and how it reacts with my skin.

Also, I am trying for a baby so would laser have any interferences with that? I was told no yesterday, but that if i did get pregnant the treatment would stop.

In all honesty, the lady was really nice and she even said they usually charge £100 per session for the face, but then I dont believe my hair growth is really bad hence the £80. She also went through the machine with me and explained what settings she woul;d put me on. Furthermore, she said she would never recommend this treatment for people with ginger, blonde or afro-carribbean hair. What I like about her was that she seemed really upfront - there were no hidden agendas. But i just want people's thoughts on here.....

Is this a good price? I really dont have time to read all the posts on here so any advice would be much appreciated.

Thank you to all

shopaholic.lady

the only thing i have done it shave and wax..wanted to try the veet so thanks will give it ago....underarms is a difficult thing as everyones skin is different...my mum has her under arms waxeed and she seems ok with that there not irratated but it not sure what else you can use for your underarm....sorry !!