Hair removal question

[Rachael Leigh]

I’ve got a question on hair removal. I’m basically fulltime now especially at work and from my research
to do electrolysis requires times when you can’t shave or put on makeup.
Well I work 5 days a week so for me that would be unworkable
I’m fortunate to not have a heavy beard or even very dark unless I don’t shave it for more than 24 hours.
Is it possible to just be fulltime and not do the hair removal?
Not only that the cost is something I’m not sure I can fit into my budget
Just curious if any out there know girls who never had the Permanent removal and if it effects their
presentation
Thanks Rachael

[Mirya]

I don’t think facial hair removal is something you can skip if you are going to live as a woman full time. It is one of the non-negotiables as facial hair is a primary indicator of gender. You may think you can just hide the hair, but it shows and people (especially other women) will notice it, even if they’re too polite to say anything to you about it.

Your skin will also look better once you kill off the hair follicles, because the pores will become smaller.

Do the electrolysis and/or laser. It’s worth it.

[LeaP]

Anything is possible, but I, too, would advise removal. In every single case I’ve seen, in-person or in picture, where someone claims they don’t have a beard shadow - they DO, regardless of how dark or light the hair is. Start HRT and your skin will thin somewhat, too ... which makes it even more obvious. Covering relies on either heavy application (ugh) or color approaches - which don’t work in every light condition.

[Rachael Leigh]

So again my question is if I’m already out at work and such how do you deal with not being able to shave or no makeup after treatments.
I’ve read it can be a day or two before your face gets back to normal after a treatment.
I can’t just go into hiding as I’ve read some do.

[Katya@]

I am not out to public yet but I am starting electrolysis this Friday. I had one 20 min free sample session few weeks ago and decided to go with it despite the pain and expense. The best advice I got from the electrolygist is to do 1 hour session on Friday after work. That will give me 2 and a half days for my skin to heal before Monday. Also, I can shave up to and including Tuesday but need to let the hair grow by Friday ahead of the session. Also, I was told that with my beard, which is dark and dense (I shave daily), I can get most of it removed within 10 hours but the rest 90-140 hours will take to get rid of new hair or the one that wasn't removed. In any case, it sounds like after 3 months there will be less hair and less inflammation so I may be able to do it in other weekdays. BTW, one way to lower cost is to buy x number of treatments ahead of timе.

[Pat]

Rachel -- you'll need to work with your electrologist. I've heard of cases where they'll do clearing in a particular area so you only have to grow out there and as Katya pointed out you can always do Friday appointments. But basically, you're going to have to accept that you're a person in transition and you look the way you're supposed to look during this phase of hair removal. One alternative is to go to places that do whole-face clearing at one sitting -- you still have to go multiple times and you'd have to take vacation time both for travel and recovery and of course there's the money for travel and lodging, but you can get through the worst of it faster.

Edit: Oh, wait -- I see you're in Dallas. There's a place that does whole face just outside of town: Electrology 3000 I think they're called. You could take a Friday off and go there then make a call about if you need to take Monday off afterward.

[kathtx]

Rachel, for electrolysis you need to let your hair grow out for about 3-4 days before treatment. Then, after treatment it takes a week or so (for the first few treatments) to a few days (for later treatments) before you can shave or use makeup.

I heartily second Pat's suggestion that since you're in Dallas, you talk to Electrology 3000. They're real friendly and do a great job.

[Megan G]

How do you deal with not being able to shave or use make up for a few days? Like Pat said.... you deal with it....you learn to accept your new reality... the new normal...just like each and everyone of us have had to do...



And Mirya is right, you may not think that people notice...but they do. If your FT and are in the process of transition I can’t imagine NOT doing hair removal. When it comes to electro your going to wish you started this yesterday so get on it today!!

[Rachael Leigh]

This has all been great advice and I’ve been in contact with a place who has said much of what you all have told me.
My vacations at work are bid a year in advance so it may be a while before I can do this on a vacation.
In the mean time I will just learn to hide my shadow which as I’ve said fortunately isn’t that dark.
Plus I can maybe save up the money to get it done in the future.
You ladies are great thank you
Rachael

[AllieSF]

Rachael: If you have any darker hairs, I strongly recommend that you start with laser first. You go in completely shaved because they want the darker hairs below skin level to absorb the heat for more effective killing. Second, since you are already out at work and seem to have management's support, how about scheduling your electrology appointment early Monday morning so your facial hair can grow from Friday morning (shaved for work) until Monday morning? You probably could put on your makeup later in the day as the face calms down. Many ti9mes I went out in the evening after my electrolysis with makeup and never had any problems. Your skin will adjust over time, as will your level of pain tolerance. I am doing my electrology over 4+ years and am now down to about an hour every 4 weeks.

Katya: I think that your getting some overly optimistic information, saying that they can remove all hair (one tech working??) in 10 hours, plus another 90-140 hours to be totally done with it?? I am close to 500 hours on a medium beard, including a lot of 2 hour sessions twice a week. Yes, some can do it in less hours, but 150 hours total does not seem correct! Every time my doctor gave me a steroid shot for muscle pains and healing, after every surgical or body trauma situation, it is very common that new hairs will be stimulated to grow, ones that are totally new. We have so0 many hair follicles and only a part of them actually grow out. Plus, many of those older or old hairs may need several zaps to be totally killed. Plus, you will have a tech putting that thin needle into all those hair follicle openings, and they will miss insert many of those after working all day on multiple clients.

[jentay1367]

IMHO, this is the worst part of your transition. It's been said a million times that if you can, do this before you ever go full time. Because this isn't something that can be done piecemeal. You have to be diligent to catch the hairs in their Anagen phase which is the only one of the three that electrolysis is actually effective on. It's a bit of a whack-a-mole game to get to to the heart of the matter and alleviate your facial hair forever. So a vacation here and a vacation there though helpful, is just a drop in the bucket. So as most here have shared, you need to just deal with it. Most good electrologists can do their thing with 72 to 96 hours of growth so if you can perhaps not shave on a Thursday and go in Sunday afternoon, that could mitigate your exposure at work. The other issue is developing a working relationship with a good Electrologist and have them clear a two inch patch somewhere and agree that's where they will work that particular day. That way, that's the only patch of hair you won't need to shave. That's another way women mitigate their exposure. If you're not on hormones yet, you will find once you are that your tolerance for the treatments will lessen to the degree with some people that it becomes intolerable without some form of anesthetic. So I would suggest to you to make a plan and find an electrologist that can work with you. Because ultimately, as others here have said, you really need to do this if you want to transition. It is a huge tell when you don't, and if nothing else, a huge pain in the butt to deal with hiding the growth on a daily basis. It will get on your last good nerve

[Laura912]

Rachel, I absolutely second what Allie said about go now and do the laser while hairs still have some pigment left. You can always do electrolysis later. In my case, we are finished with laser but still have a lot of white/gray 76 year old hairs to fry with electrolysis 10 months after nearly weekly 45 minute treatments. And I am fortunate to be able to numb myself. Laser was easier. Remember once the dark hairs are gone, the whites are easier to cover with foundation.

[Vickie_CDTV]

You need a few days growth, but it depends on how fast your hair personally grows, but even more the vision equipment they use. I can do someone with as little as 2 days of growth if I need to, but 2 days is about the bare minimum. If you find someone with the best vision equipment (a surgical microscope is best) you may be able to shave early Friday and have enough growth by mid-late Sunday. Also be aware they may be some redness and swelling, especially when you first start off. When you find an electrologist, they should give you a free consultation and a short sample treatment; use this to see how you react.

You should wait at least a day before wearing makeup over the treated area. Your electrologist should give you aftercare instructions, make sure to follow them for the best healing.

[grace7777]

Rachael, I agree totally with what Allie said, do laser first, if you have darker hairs. For me I have had about 15 laser sessions in the past few years, and most of my my facial hair is gone. What I have can be shaved off very quickly without shaving cream. Fortunately, I never had thick facial hair, otherwise I probably would not have achieved what I have so far. I have probably also been helped by HRT some.

[Peta_T]

Not sure I should add my experience here...but here goes.

I have had both Electrolysis and IPL on my beard, the IPL was first up and got rid of the vast majority of the beard. Probably 90%.
The remaining 10% was mostly grays :sad:

The point being, the IPL actually required a shaved face to work, it was only the electrolysis that need the hair to grow out a bit so that the tweezers could grab hold. That said, once I was on the Electrolysis, my therapist pretty much banned my razor completely. What she said was the the act of shaving stimulated the hair follicle thus working against the electrolysis. Not sure how true that is, just relating what i was told.

End of the day, there are other options to Electrolysis. Maybe use IPL or laser to do the bulk of the beard, then use electrolysis to finish off if needs be.

[Laura912]

Peta, IPL, intense pulsed light, can get rid of hairs but not as permanently as laser because IPL does not penetrate to the depth of laser. Medically, shaving does not stimulate follicles. It can irritate skin. Unfortunately, like areas of medicine, there are a few bits of misinformation about.

[Kaitlyn Michele]

Lots of good info. It highlights that really it's a very unpredictable process. Expensive. Time consuming painful

Sorry but true.

Laser is a huge risk
It worked like a charm for me on my body

I did it on my face and I believe it actually stimulated growth And I am well over 400 hrs.

I have seen and done it all

I also highly recommend electro 3000 for ease of timing discomfort. Etc

It will take multiple times. 5 or more

But way easier and you can always use it as jumpstart.

[Nigella]

I have had light sheer laser, IPL and electrolysis.

Laser did remove the dark hair and yes it was a removal and permanent, however, for laser the hair has to be dark, it has to be in its growth stage and you need to be clean shaven.

IPL didn't work for me, there was no noticeable difference.

Electrolysis is permanent, however, it is expensive, time consuming and periods of "bearded lady".

I will echo the start as early as you can mantra and don't expect instant results.

[LeaP]

Laser is a huge risk
It worked like a charm for me on my body

I did it on my face and I believe it actually stimulated growth



100% consistent with my electrologist’s experience, both personal and her clients’. She has had (and recommends) laser for dark body hair, but not on the face. What she says she sees over and over again is that after a few years on some people there is dense growth of very, very fine hair. Like vellus hair in thickness and texture, but denser in coverage and grows longer ... and it’s next to impossible to try to remove it via electrolysis.

FWIW

[Rachael Leigh]

Again thanks all for this great information my biggest issue for any of the options is going to be cost I don’t think for the time being it will fit into my budget. I will keep all of this information in mind if I can figure it out
Rachael

[AllieSF]

I totally get the cost side of it. I, with no intention of anything but getting rid of my facial hair to make my crossdressing easier (Yeah!, That's what she said!!), could have had GRS or some FFS for what I paid and am still paying. At least it was divided over months and ... years! If you go for laser for your dark hairs (recommended) look for special packages, which they offer from time to time when business gets slow. Also try negotiating with them. They probably will be amenable to that since the total reduced bill for several sessions is worth more to them than a few short limited sessions.

[Krisi]

As far as the work thing, can you take sick leave or some sort of medical leave while you're having this done?

[Pat]

It's actually a fair question -- if your company supports you, then they might view transition-related procedures as a medical thing. It can't hurt to ask.

[Krisi]

Another possibility for some jobs is working from home for a few days or weeks.

Some employers will go to great lengths to work with valued employees. Others, not so much. As Pat said, It can't hurt to ask.

[LeaP]

It’s possible to work around skin reactivity. ALL of my electrolysis was done during the work week (I was not full time). Most of my appointments started at 11:00 or 12:00. I brought ice to the sessions and declined the offer of my tech’s aloe-based gel after treatment, going immediately to icing in the car - AFTER a (very) light going over with a dry, disposable razor (surprisingly, not a problem at all). I usually stopped at Starbucks on the way back to work, which gave me a few minutes extra recovery. By the time I got back to work (which was only 10-15 minutes away), I had iced several times, then used my own pre-chilled aloe gel before going in. The icing itself results in an incredible flush of red! But it fades very quickly and minimizes the subsequent reaction, which varied from very little to mostly bumpiness, depending on the session and treatment location. I don’t recall ever being questioned about my skin. Most of my sessions were 1 or 2 hours. Frankly, the worst part of it was feeling self-conscious about being unshaven before leaving work for the appointment, especially in the early stages of treatment. That, however, is a diminishing problem as treatment progresses.

[marti]

I am not full time but I have started getting electrolysis. I go on Monday afternoons. I shave on Saturday mornings but not on Sunday or Monday. That way I am only a little scruffy on Mondays. As someone else said earlier, if you concentrate on small areas at a time just leave that area with growth and shave the rest of your face.

[Peta_T]

Yeah the IPL for me worked permanently, but only on the dark hairs. I had a very full beard and as I said, IPL got rid of 90% of it. All that was left was mostly grey's. Moral of story, with IPL do it while your young before you go grey :D

With regards to cost, I've paid out more dollar wise for Electrolysis than I have for IPL, just through needing more treatments. Either way, laser, IPL or Electrolysis, none of them are exactly cheap.

[MarieTS]

Rachael, as I said in a previous thread, facial hair removal is Job#1. All the estradiol and spirolactone in the world can't subdue facial hair growth. So, if you are serious about transitioning , get after it girl!

[Sara Olivia]

Hi Rachael,
I will add in my two cents worth and it falls right in line with Allie's advice. I had a lot of facial hair and I started with electrolysis about three years ago. After about 50 hours of electrolysis the reduction in facial hair was really disappointing. I was imagining it taking 500 hours to remove all my facial hair. At the time I was involved in a trans support group. A number of ladies suggested that I try laser hair removal and then finish any remaining hairs with electrolysis. Like Allie said, for laser hair removal they want you closely shaved at the time of the treatment. After 8 treatments at 6 week intervals all the dark facial hair was 99 percent gone. I am now back at electrolysis every two weeks but now because there are only white hairs, they are almost invisible even if I cannot shave for a few days.

I get the expense side of it. I doubt this expense is really in anyone's budget. But I agree with all the advice that says its a non negotiable if you want to spend the rest of your life as Rachael.

[Rachael Leigh]

I want to thank all here for their kind advice on this. For me I’m just not of the opinion if I don’t get something done I’m somehow not in the fulltime club of passing as Rachael. Truly I’m just not that vain. I do well now with my presentation and I know that their are sacrifices with being a fulltime girl but my budget and frankly my time just won’t allow for these things
Again thanks all I appreciate all the advice
Rachael

[DaisyLawrence]

For me I’m just not of the opinion if I don’t get something done I’m somehow not in the fulltime club of passing as Rachael.

Well said Rachael I fully understand your thinking. You are in the club if you say your are, there can be no minimum entrance requirements imposed by others.

Daisy x

[Nikki.]

Rachel, it may be worth checking the special offer site that starts with a G and ends with “on”. There’s a couple medical esthetic places in my town with [insert dr. evil voice] “lasers” that run specials for laser hair removal. One in particular runs 6 treatments, face and neck, for $400 and has good reviews. I talked to the receptionist yesterday and she seemed knowledgeable and surprisingly not sales pushy.

I have a consult coming up at another one in a fancier zip code that i expect to be more $$$$. My guess is I’ll end up at the $400 place. There’s another one that appears cheaper, but the reviews are not favorable. good luck!

[Becky Blue]

Rachael, I had laser on my face 3 years ago and its been wonderful, my ONLY regret was not doing it when I was younger, as of course it doesn't kill the grey hairs. I have light skin with quite dark course facial hair. After 8 laser sessions almost all of the dark hairs are gone forever. I need a touch up twice a year for an occasional spot mostly under my chin and on my upper lip. the impact of the laser has been amazing. Firstly all I need to be as smooth as a babies bottom is a VERY light shave. I have zero shadow and i am still as smooth as anything that night. The next morning I can feel spikes but can see nothing... if I were not to shave on day 2 little grey dots appear that afternoon. Of course the speed of regrowth would differ for everyone.

The best part is what the laser did for my face, people keep saying to me what have you done you are looking younger. My face is smoother and at times shines, its hard to explain my skin feels much softer too. Although i shave almost every day, it is such a light quick shave it takes me under 60 seconds to shave.

I was told to make sure the laser they used was a Candela.

I am/have considered electrolysis but after laser I would need about a weeks growth which is just not practical for me. The place I went to did however offer an option which could work for you Rachael. As we all know hair grows in cycles and electrolysis is very inefficient as only about 20% of the hairs taken out are in the right phase. Thus needing many treatments. What can be done to accelerate the process, is to let your hair grow and then have a sugar treatment, Sugar is a very good hair removal process as it pulls the hairs out at the roots. Once your face is 'sugared' all the hairs that regrow are all in he same growth phase thus requiring a short but intensive removal process. According to the place I visited the whole process can be done in under 3 weeks, from starting the growing through the sugaring to the electrolysis. So perhaps you can take some leave from work if that could work for you.

[LeaP]

Plucking (or sugaring) on the face can promote ingrown hair in some people. On the done in 3 weeks comment - facial hair growth cycles can be YEARS ... you can make substantial progress with intensive sessions, but new growth and re-growth will continue and has to be addressed periodically.

[Melanie Moxon]

Does one need to be on hormone treatment (i.e. fully into the transition phase) for laser removal to have good effects as I quite like the idea of getting the jump on it so to speak, or is it best left until the point where I am taking blockers and hormones which could be well over a year away?

[Pat]

Everything I've read says do hair removal before hormones if you have a choice. The threshold of pain is higher for a testosterone-fueled body. My experience is with electrolysis and the difference doesn't really seem to be night-and-day -- it hurt before, it hurts now -- so it seems like an academic thing to me.

[Rachael Leigh]

As to the one who started this thread I know for me I won’t be doing the electrolysis. After the new year I am now going to
consider laser if I can fit it into the budget, especially since laser requires you to be shaved which is a plus.
Also since I did come out before I began hormones I plan on being on them in a month or so so I guess I am going about
this backwards but those were my choices
The new year will be interesting for sure for this new blossoming girl
Rachael

[Nikki.]

Rachel, check out group on for deals. I found a place that offered 6 treatments, full face and neck, for $400 in my relatively high cost of living area of northern california.

oh, and use lidocaine cream 30 minutes before. I applied it about 90 minutes before so the effectiveness was reduced. It hurts!!! If they sell the 8 or 9% lidocaine cream (rx only), it’s probably worth it. the otc stuff is only 4%.

[LeaP]

Does one need to be on hormone treatment ... or is it best left until the point where I am taking blockers and hormones which could be well over a year away?

The standard answer, which you should take to heart, is “start yesterday.” It’s NEVER too soon.

[Melanie Moxon]

Thanks girls, sorry if it seemed a bit 'thread hijack' but as it was a discussion about hair removal I thought I'd ask the question :)

[Kaitlyn Michele]

Transition is forever (hopefully)..

over the years i stopped hair removal...i was VERY hairy... the laser and HRT worked wonder on my body..and in fact i lasered everywhere...legs armpits etc...amazing!! no hair..i rarely shave my legs or armpits ...its wonderful

face is a different story..im easily over 300 hrs of electro over many years..ugh...and im back to doing it...more on that in a moment

btw plucking is almost always a bad idea...it also damages follicles and can make future permanent removal more difficult..and sometimes it hurts just as bad as electro...

laser is not always permanent...we can debate the word, but hair that is lasered often regrows ...sometimes over many years..

i did it all btw...but electro just never seemed to end, and so i quit... and after about 5 years of shaving every other day...feeling good one day and not as good the next...cutting up my face, not wearing make up because it started to irritate the shaved area, planning when to go out around when i could shave...welll i just wanted to die...(not literally)...but it SUCKED..it had a huge negative impact on my life quality.

i tried another laser...guess what...it STIMULATED growth...

im back at electrolysis...almost 10 yrs after i started...

you dont know how you will feel in years...but i can give you and idea...its not about joining a club or staking a claim to identity or authenticity...its about your quality of life, and trust me, if you are wearing a wig and shaving 4 times a week, its not going to be as tolerable years from now...transition is when you HAVE TO do it...its neccessary...it can feel transcendant and life saving...you can life the car to get at your identity....then transition is over...years pass....you are just some invisible lady...you have to think about her...and thinking about her now is a good thing..

if money absolutely forbids electro..i get it...you'll have to deal with it..but as priorities go, its pretty high up as something to save for... and i cant stress enough, there is no guarantee with laser that it wont grow back on your face...

also, wigs.... i have seen amazing results with hair replacement....another high priority in my mind...i'd pick hair removal and hair replacement over GRS if im not 30 yrs old and want an active sex life...

[Anne K]

I had the same experience as Laura. I had laser on my entire body and had excellent results. The facial hair has gray hair and after 6 treatments, eliminated the dark hairs. I will need electrolysis for the gray hair. It’s a journey!

[Chrissi]

Same here as others....I did and am doing the laser (for dark hairs) first, and electrolysis for gray/white hairs second. I’m to the point that I no longer need to color correct for facial beard. Heck I barely need to shave anymore, but do daily regardless. I’ve only had a couple of treatments. I know I was one of the lucky ones with barely a beard to begin with pre transition.
I’ve never had chest, or body hair...family history rumor was Native American ancestors, I tend to believe that more now...lol.

[LindaAnne]

I started off waxing a few parts of my body. I loved the smooth feeling and feminine look so over time I expanded the waxing to everything but my face, lower arms and lower legs (I even had my hands and feet done). A few months ago I tired of the waxing so have now started to get laser treatments. As I've only had a few laser treatments I can't speak to how "permanent" it will be but my guess is, as with anything in life, it will vary by person. The laser treatments have been amazing so far. I am much more smoother and no ingrown hairs! The only thing left will be facial hair. I can't wait to eliminate having to shave my beard and also that will greatly assist with makeup. Regarding comments as to cost, my esthetician is a wonderful lady who is the upmost professional. She offers a discount for repeat customers and with the laser treatments, she offers a very generous discount if you pay up front for the package. Ask if there are any deals if you are concerned about cost, but trust me once you get into hair removal you'll love it and the money will be well spent. So girly being smooth!

[Peta_T]

Thanks girls, sorry if it seemed a bit 'thread hijack' but as it was a discussion about hair removal I thought I'd ask the question :)

Think of it this way:-
removal + transition = dream come true.
removal + no transition = never have to shave again, thus win.

No downside really in my book.

[Melanie Moxon]

Thankyou for the advice. I will move it forward as much as possible then, beats having to shave the coarser hair that is for sure!

[Wendi_cd]

Rachel, check out group on for deals. I found a place that offered 6 treatments, full face and neck, for $400 in my relatively high cost of living area of northern california.

oh, and use lidocaine cream 30 minutes before. I applied it about 90 minutes before so the effectiveness was reduced. It hurts!!! If they sell the 8 or 9% lidocaine cream (rx only), it’s probably worth it. the otc stuff is only 4%.

I've had laser, using a special the local place was running, 6 FULL BODY treatments for $1000, treatments after that are at the special price (based on 6/1000).
One session every 6 weeks, takes about 90 minutes per session, depending on what kind of machine they are using.
Some areas are more sensitive than others, the face was quite painful especially in the beginning.
6 sessions in, I have no hair growth below the waist, some very small patches on my chest and just a few dark spots on my face.

You cannot use a numbing medication with laser, as there is no way to gauge how much power the laser needs to be set to. There is a happy medium between **** that hurts and so mild that it is ineffective, lidocaine runs the risk of the laser being set TOO high and causing burns, potentially permanent.

Laser is a "it's usually permanent, but we can't say it is because the FDA says it isn't", any hairs that don't succumb to the laser can be removed with electrolysis.

[LeaP]

If you’re going to a laser tech who is determining damaging power levels by how much it hurts, you need another tech ...

[Nikki.]

The fancy schmancy place i had the consult is owned by an md and sells the rx 9% lidocaine cream. the rn that runs the laser relayed an anecdote of a client who experienced a big difference in pain when she used the 4% stuff. I went to my 2nd face session 2 days ago with a thick layer of the 4% lido cream on my face and 600 mg of ibuprofen. I had to sit on my fists with my hands grabbing my pocket and my jaw clenched it hurt so bad on my upper lip and chin. I may ask my regular doc for an rx for the 9%.

no redness after, but some subdermal irritation for a day. in general i have a fairly high pain tolerance. ymmv.

[Pat]

I had to sit on my fists with my hands grabbing my pocket and my jaw clenched it hurt so bad on my upper lip and chin.

Get a pair of firm stress balls you can squeeze. Much easier on your hands (experience talking. ;) )

[Peta_T]

Squash balls maybe.....They have different "hardness" and are not overly large.

[Dorit]

This is a bit scary as I just today signed on for 12 laser face treatments. I had my sixth upper body treatment, and decided it was time to come out to my laser service after ten months with them. They were great, and told me about another transgender woman they treat who is 73! They then sold me on the face treatment. I start next week.

[pamela7]

Hi Rachael,

I feel, intuitively, this connects up to your hormone doubts. In my view, going through the serious pain of electrolysis, and the public experience of being unshaven in female clothing with patchy post-electroysis face, add up to a serious test as to whether one is really up for the transition. If you can do both these, most the rest feels quite plain sailing, and if you can't, perhaps not ready?

good luck, xx Pam

[Evie82]

Hi Rachael

I’m booked in for my first session of SHR laser hair removal next week. Going by the test patch they did on my chest it should be very effective and it didn’t really hurt at all. I’m hopeful that it will be the same for my beard area - the best way I can describe it is it’s warm like being tapped with a spoon you e just stirred a coffee with, so not unpleasant at all. As far as the cost goes I was very pleasantly surprised. The cost for a session on the face is £35 a time, and around 6 sessions required. My local centre does a pay by the session scheme so you have it done as and when you can afford it, and given that my local area is known for being expensive I think that this is really quite reasonable. To give a sense of fee scale, a single session on the chest or legs would be around £65.

I’ll report back after my first session, but in the meantime has anyone else had any experience of SHR hair removal? I know it’s relatively new, but I’m hopeful for this and I’m really quite excited about it.

I don’t know

[Evie82]

Ok, so I had my first laser session today and in a nutshell, I’m very impressed. It was largely painless - a few moments it got a little warm or felt like a hair was being plucked with tweezers, but on the whole it was actually quite pleasant. I was told to arrive clean shaven, so I did. My appointment was at 10 this morning and it’s now approaching 11.30pm, and I’m not feeling as much regrowth as I normally would after 12 hours. I’m by no means still perfectly smooth but there really is a noticeable difference. My partner says (s)he can feel a difference already. The only ‘side effect’ I could mention is that my face has felt warm today. It’s nothing aloe vera gel hasn’t been able to handle, and it’s not the same kind of heat as with razor burn which is a lot worse than this.
I’m allowing a couple of days recovery time so I’ll report back in a couple of days. Looking forward to my next 2 sessions!

[Sarah Doepner]

At a recent festival I entered a contest and won a free hour of Electrolysis. I just took them up on it and will be going back to get the area under and to the sides of my mouth cleaned off. There is some pain, but it's tolerable and I was astonished at how slow the process is. But I have no choice other than shave since my facial hair was blond before I went gray. Shaving that area close for a week always ends up drawing blood and since DLV is coming up in April, I may be able to get it done in time.

My only question is what is an appropriate tip for the tech doing the work? Is there a guideline or rule of thumb that others follow? I'd prefer to keep someone who has the power to hurt me, happy if at all possible.

[Laura912]

My electrolysis is done by the owner of the practice. To my knowledge, none of the people there expect tips. My wife, who has had fraxel, has noted a tip jar in the room where the follow up facials are done so that may be the only exception in that group.

[Nikki.]

After last weeks session my face was irritated and i had an acne flare up that lasted a couple days. using a face wash with salicylic acid definitely helped. i can see a few bare patches now if i don’t shave for a day. progress!

[MarieTS]

In a perfect world you would complete the facial hair removal procedure prior to going full time/RLT. But, better late then never--because it really is Job #1! After all, that shadow is visible and the need to shave will never go away if you don't sacrifice and just put it behind you.

[Dorit]

Today I had my first laser face treatment. It was at times painful, but bearable, I could occasionally smell burning hair. It only lasted 25 minutes, and 7 hours later I have no side affects. I do not have a thick beard, many of my hairs are grey, so I guess I got off easy. I think I can live with the grey ones. :)

[Evie82]

A few days have passed now and what I’ve noticed is that it’s feeling subtly softer and is a little sparser in parts. They say noticeable results are there after 3 sessions so I’m feeling encouraged that this is going to work well for me.

[Melanie Moxon]

Once I "go for it" as it where I am hoping laser treatment will work well for me, my beard is dark and fairly coarse but it isn't really dense.

[pamela7]

http://www.cosmedipl.co.uk/our-products/skinpulse-shr/

I found this, being recommended by a friend who is a lifelong expert in that industry. Has anyone tried it / found it really works on beard?