3rd laser treatment

[Kerigirl2009]

OUCH!!! I feel like i just went a couple rounds with a prize fighter. I had my third laser treatment yesterday and today I am shedding like crazy. Only problem is I am so sensitive on the jaw that washing my face is like getting the treatment done again.

However it will be so worth it when I am done. No pain No gain. Hoping this one will be the one that starts to show less hair and more smooth skin.

The first two didn't feel like this, definately not the second treatment, but I am wondering if the hormones may have made my skin more sensitive.

[sandra-leigh]

My understanding is that Yes, hormones can make the skin more sensitive.

I had my 3rd laser last week. It wasn't bad for me. My puffiness only lasts at most two hours, with irritation mostly fading by morning. My facial hair is not very dense as such things go, though.

[Kerigirl2009]

The lady yhat did my procedure said I had very dense hair on my chin, then she said she was impressed as I was just laying there while she zapped away, saying she could smell the hairs. She was impressed how the hairs where responding though. YEAH!!!

[sandra-leigh]

I find it difficult not to flinch when they do right near my nose, or (to a lesser extent) right along the jawbone under my chin. It isn't the pain level itself: it is more a reflex action. But my neck, not a problem at all -- in fact last time I had them turn down the cold air flow as I was starting to get "brain freeze" (I had just come inside from a fairly hot day.)

[Nicki S]

Yes this is a huge accomplishment and is well worth the pain and suffering. I do hate to rain on your parade though, but i have had about 15 laser treatments on my face, and now countless hours of electro. The end is near.

Keep with it girl. No one said being a woman was easy!

[Eryn]

I found that the level of discomfort varied from treatment to treatment with laser and now with electrolysis. It just seems that some days are more sensitive than others. You might also find that your sensitivity is different at different times of the day.

Are you using an anesthetic cream? I used it all over my face for my laser treatments and now use it on my upper lip and chin for electrolysis. It didn't really reduce the pain for laser, but let the operator use a higher and more effective setting.

[sandra-leigh]

Are you using an anesthetic cream? I used it all over my face for my laser treatments and now use it on my upper lip and chin for electrolysis.

I don't know exactly where I read it, perhaps even here, but quite recently I read that anesthetic creams are quite dangerous when used in large areas, and should not be used for more than about 2 square inches at a time.

[EnglishRose]

I take ibuprofen an hour beforehand which really seems to help.

[Nigella]

I can liken laser to being twanged by an elastic band repeatedly. I am very pleased with the results I have achieved, I can now go about 2 days without needing to shave, just the light hairs on show. Now I have got the dark hair under control, its time for electrolosis.

The pain I have felt varies, but have never had to take any form of painkiller before or after. Your technician should set the treatment according to how comfortable you are, with a mind on how effective the particular session is going. One piece of advice I can give, which I have found effective, have some Aloe Vera Gel to rub on the treated area once the session has completed, it certainly takes away the burning sensation.

[Eryn]

I don't know exactly where I read it, perhaps even here, but quite recently I read that anesthetic creams are quite dangerous when used in large areas, and should not be used for more than about 2 square inches at a time.

I don't know where you came up with that two square inch figure, but it is a bit alarmist!

The information sheet for EMLA, the most commonly used cream, says that adults should not use more than 60 grams (two full tubes!) spread over an area of 600 square centimeters under an occlusive dressing (plastic wrap). That's the size of a sheet of paper and far larger than a typical beard area. For full beard laser I used perhaps 10 grams on my entire beard area. For electrolysis I use only a gram or two on my lips where I am most sensitive.

I think that the dosage issue came about in a tattooing situation where the tattooist was working with a large area and reapplying cream repeatedly to broken skin. It would not be an issue in any normal laser or electrolysis situation.

My discomfort experience mirrors Nigella's. I perceived each zap as like getting pricked slightly with a very sharp needle, but the sensation was gone before I could really react to it. The aloe vera gel my technician applied was wonderful and an ice pack applied to the face after the treatment was done was soothing as well.

Keep at it, you'll like the results as long as you are realistic about them.

[sandra-leigh]

Unfortunately I did not happen to keep track of the article I read, and I am not finding specific area recommendations as I search now.

There are (at least) two recorded deaths; in both cases a 10% lidocaine solution had been used. I did find a specific name for one of the two deaths. It appears a variety of other health threats have been observed (e.g., irregular heartbeat.)

I found information that the FDA has issued two advisories (http://suite101.com/article/fda-issues-warnings-on-topical-anesthetics-a92719). I gather they essentially say use a low dose and over as small an area as possible.

This would imply, for example, not using it "all over your face", but rather only in the hair areas. And if you can get away with just upper lip, or upper lip plus right along your jaw-line under your chin, then even better. (Those are the two areas that are most sensitive for me.)

I haven't needed anything myself. But I do twitch when right under my nose is done.

[AudreyTN]

OUCH!!! I feel like i just went a couple rounds with a prize fighter. I had my third laser treatment yesterday and today I am shedding like crazy. Only problem is I am so sensitive on the jaw that washing my face is like getting the treatment done again.

However it will be so worth it when I am done. No pain No gain. Hoping this one will be the one that starts to show less hair and more smooth skin.

The first two didn't feel like this, definately not the second treatment, but I am wondering if the hormones may have made my skin more sensitive.

I'm right there with ya girl, I went for #4 today, and I thought I'd never make it through, but finally she was done. It took so much not to cry because I really didn't want to go any farther, but I gritted my teeth and sucked it up and made it.

friend of mine suggested Bikini Zone

http://www.bikinizone.com/

it has like 10% lidocaine or something, that will help take the bite off. i have yet to try it, but I gotta do something or I'm not gonna make it through this lol.

I lost 70% of my facial hair on the FIRST TREATMENT. before today's, I maybe had 10% remaining on my face, it's almost gone thank god!

[sandra-leigh]

it has like 10% lidocaine or something, that will help take the bite off.

Please be very careful! The two known deaths were with a 10% lidocaine solution! If you must use lidocaine, at most 5% is recommended.

[Eryn]

OK, to get past the worst case scenarios, EMLA 5% cream has a maximum dose specified in the product instructions for cosmetic treatments of 60g (2 full tubes) over 600cm^2. This is a very thick coating over an area 25cm (10 inches) square. Even for a full-beard laser treatment I've never used more than 10g of cream at a time!

The few overdoses cited in the literature involved people using strong (10%) numbing creams over large skin areas such as legs or back. This is far greater exposure than anyone would experience even with full beard coverage.

[Kerigirl2009]

Well I finally feel better, phew. I can push on my chin and neck. Yeah!!!! Now I have been invited to go out tomorrow and I really want to go but I am a bit leary because I have a rough skin area where I am slightly bruised so even if I do shave I think I will have a shadow. But I think I might just have to suck it up and go have fun!!!
I can't wait for my next appt.

[AudreyTN]

Please be very careful! The two known deaths were with a 10% lidocaine solution! If you must use lidocaine, at most 5% is recommended.

i misspoke. doesn't even have lidocaine listed in the ingredients. the suggestion was just hearsay anyhow, i dont see how that would stop the laser from hurting any, there's nothing in it.

http://www.bikinizone.com/anti-bumps-shave-gel.shtml



Well I finally feel better, phew. I can push on my chin and neck. Yeah!!!! Now I have been invited to go out tomorrow and I really want to go but I am a bit leary because I have a rough skin area where I am slightly bruised so even if I do shave I think I will have a shadow. But I think I might just have to suck it up and go have fun!!!
I can't wait for my next appt.

go to a makeup store and get a reddish brown creme concealer. red cancels out blue and it will help hide the shadow.