My First Laser Hair Removal

[Michelle789]

I just got back from my first laser hair removal appointment. I got a recommendation from my therapist, and she's very trans friendly. She's done lots of MTF hair removal before.

I was nervous about how it was going to feel and hurt. Basically I found, yeah it does hurt, but not so bad as I thought. In fact, the lady who does the laser told me that I handled the pain VERY well, and she gave me the best compliment of all. That I handled it like a girl​. You know, since women usually handle pain better than men lol. I also got told the same thing when I went for my waxing sessions. She did my entire face, neck, shoulders, and upper chest area, nose and ear too. She was very thorough.

Now I'm looking forward to seeing hairs fall out.

And I was told that I can apply makeup right away, shave right away, to wear SPF 30 sun block, and to avoid the sun. I also started a thread in the lounge section about whether or not we get sun in June in Los Angeles - See "June Gloom / December Freeze". Apparently it depends on who you ask. Some people insist June in L.A. resembles London, and others insist they never heard of June Gloom.


1. How did everyone here tolerate the pain from your laser hair removal?

2. Did your laser specialist point out to you how well you tolerated the pain?

3. Has anyone here done both electro and laser, and do you feel one is more painful than the other?

[Frances]

I have some bad news for you. They raise the power every session.

[arbon]

Frances is right :) :)

I have done both. I thought laser more painful but the nice thing about it is that it is fast! Electrolysis is painful to and it is slow. First 1/2 hour maybe alright but after a while your really wanting out of the chair. Its a slower, drawn out type of torture.

[Abbygirl]

I guess I don't tolerate the pain from laser all that well, I jump around in the chair quite a bit. The lady that does mine will ask, "are you all right" and pause for a moment. Still, the pain from laser is more tolerable for me than electrolysis. Arbon is spot on - laser is a series of fast snaps whereas electrolysis is one slow burn after another.

I hope you are not still waxing areas you plan to have zapped, that can interfere with your progress.

[Dianne S]

1. I've had four sessions. The first two were the worst; now I'm used to it.

2. Yes, she said I took it well. But I bet she says that to all the girls! :)

3. I was warned not to do electro while I'm doing laser. The tech said I should complete the laser first, then go to electro if necessary to clean up.

Also, I would not shave for a day or two after laser with a blade razor. My skin gets bumpy and I would nick myself. Electric foil razor is OK, though.

[Michelle789]

I never did waxing on my face. I did a couple of waxing sessions on my arms, legs, and chest. Yes they told me not to wax or do electro on any areas that they lasered. I asked about electro because many of us do a combination of laser and electro.

[Aprilrain]

I started with electro on my face, I wanted absolute certainty that the hairs would be gone. It's slower but the pain is concentrated to a teeny tiny area. The worst bit is the upper lip IMO. I haven't gone to electro since December and I have very little hair, what I do have I've just had lasered a couple of times while I was having the rest of me lasered. The rest of my body I've done a combination of IPL and laser, I've had good results from both. I'm pretty much just on a maintenance regimen of laser now. I go about every 4-6 weeks and it takes about 10 minutes to do my whole body. I don't even pay when I go because I bought a package of a 1000 minutes!

[Alexis.j]

Hi Michelle,
1> Generally i find the pain acceptable, but i do use a lidocaine anesthetic on the "ouchie" part... The upper lip area. I still find this area very painfull, but the lidocaine helps take the edge off.
2> The specialist said i handle the pain well, compared to others. And asks if i'm ok every now and then. I only tell her to take it slowly above the lip. O, and i get her to start there first too, to get it over with, and before the lidocaine starts wearing off.
3> Cannot answer this question. But if the laser is not successful, i will have to consider going that route too.

[PretzelGirl]

April, 10 minutes for your whole body? You tiny thing! :)

Once I look back, laser was a bit of a non-event. It was more trouble driving to it at 20 minutes away as opposed to the time to walk back, get the treatment, and walk out at 15 minutes. Yes, I believe each blast of laser hurt more than each shot of electro, but it is death by 1000 cuts. Also, the laser would hurt more on my upper lips for me. The electro has a sensitive area as wide as my mouth and from the nose to the Adam's apple. For some reason, I feel it a lot more in the "channel".

[Aprilrain]

April, 10 minutes for your whole body? You tiny thing! :).

Don't I wish! I'm 6', not tiny at all! I've just put in a LOT of hours and there is hardly anything left. Most of it is on my lower legs.

[StephanieC]

I've been surprised in the major advances in laser in the last three years or so. It used to hurt like the dickens but now, I think it can be much more acceptable. However, the smell of burning hair has not changed.

Good luck! I think you will notice a big difference.

-stephani

[dreamer_2.0]

1. How did everyone here tolerate the pain from your laser hair removal?

Depends on which area she's doing. The neck and cheeks are usually barely noticeable. The chin and upper lip are both quite painful and both areas show little progress after 3 sessions. Each session has gotten a bit easier though. My 4th session is this Wednesday, we'll see how it goes.

2. Did your laser specialist point out to you how well you tolerated the pain?

Yes though I believe it was more to ask if I wanted a bit of a break. Haha

3. Has anyone here done both electro and laser, and do you feel one is more painful than the other?

Haven't done electro yet but expect to. I've heard it's more intense than laser, but I can't confirm that personally yet.