I have PCOS and with it, the requisite beard and mustache. Ugh! I'm sick of shaving.

So... I went in for my first laser hair removal treatment a couple weeks ago. OMG it hurt like h*ll. And stank (burnt hair, yum) My chin was swollen and red for a couple days -- I iced it like crazy.

What was weird was that the hair was still there, and I was still shaving every morning, and then it wasn't anymore -- took a week or so after treatment before it was gone.

I've got at least 4 treatments left, and then maintenance after that.

Anyone done this and have tried-n-true suggestions besides icing that will help with the pain during the treatment? The girl who does it says that the numbing cream doesn't really help because it's put on the surface of the skin but the real pain is down in the follicle.

Will ibuprofen prior to lasering help? My leftover Vicodin from surgery? :knockedou Is the technician wrong and I should try rubbing in some cream with lidocaine? All of the above?:paranoid

Is there any correlation between weight and facial hair?

Yes, indirectly. To make a long story short, there's a correlation between fat and hormones - both "female" and "male" hormones. Hormonal imbalances in women can cause atypical hair growth - not just of the lip/chin, but also chest hair, lower abdomen (what I've always called the "Happy Trail", etc. The same hormonal issues are what may also cause some obese people to experience acne, even into adulthood - especially in the "hormonal" areas of acne breakout.

This hurts *way* more than waxing, unfortunately. It's like someone takes a really thick rubber band and snaps it against your skin super hard. Over and over.

It's totally worth the pain and swelling if it works long term! Even moderate improvement will be worth it.

I'll check out the EMLA and other creams mentioned. I will check with the clinic to see if I can do both the cream and the ice packs, since the ice packs alone didn't do so great for me.

Kim -- I am paying $225 per treatment, that is for both chin and upper lip. I pay for 5 treatments and then it's $50 per treatment after that as you are considered in "maintenance mode". I'm going to see how these work out long term.

My nurse practitioner is a really big lady, and she finally had her chin and upper lip done. I think she said it was about $1,000. I'll have to save up for it after I get done paying my share of the band surgery. Does anyone know if once we lose the weight the hormones get more balanced and the hair goes away???

Emily

I had one session of laser hair removal, it was $112.50. I did feel the heat of it when it got near boney areas of my chin but overall, no afterburn and no serious pain during. I didn't use any pain gels or ice. I have no noticeable change yet in hairgrowth.

They tell me it could take a few visits for a noticeable difference, and 8 to 12 before the hair loss is permanent. They also told me no sun, & use a strong sunblock. Now that the holidays are over I plan to go again and see if there's any difference after 2 or more visits.

GentleSpirit, What I've read is once it starts growing in an area, it stays. I haven't had any lessening of hair growth and I've lost 92 lbs. As far as I know I don't have PCOS, and my hair growth started with my progressive weight gain. I'd love to see it slow or stop, if I don't shave it daily, you can see it clearly. UGH!

I still haven't made that second appointment because I've been tanning all winter and they say it works better if you aren't tan... anyone having good results with multiple sessions? I'm wondering if it would be worth it for me to fade and go back.

Just saw this thread.

Ive had 3 treatments so far. My 4th will be in a week.

I prefer waiting between treatments, until I see a shadow on my chin and *once again* I must start shaving b/c the plucking is overwhelming. (TMI?)

Im having a hard time convincing myself that this is a PERMANENT hair removal... esp. since Im going for my 4th treatment and know Ill need a 5th, 6th, etc.

What I DID like - is a week after the treatment there is NO chin hairs - not even a shadow. For me, this usually last about 2 months.

Here's my thread I started about a year ago (with the same topic). Lots of good stuff on both.

http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=3488

Crystal, Ive never heard of the icing treatment pre-lasering. I like that idea.

OOPS, I think Molly was wanting info on help for the pain....

I just deal with it. It hurts while you are being zapped, but I didnt find that there was much (if any) pain once you leave the office.... actually, my lasered area was numb for about 3 days.

Yup, the icing really made a huge difference for me, it was even better than the numbing cream. Honestly. And I'm a big baby when it comes to anticipaed or real pain.

I've had 5 or 6 treatments, and I can honestly say this has been permanent for me so far. I might need more treatments in a year, but it was about 9 months between the last two treatments.

I've been doing this for the past year! It works best on lighter skin and darker hair (no tans). However, new lasers have come about since my research that actually are geared toward the darker skin color. Also, for those interested you have to shave and NOT pluck.

The pain...usually, doesn't bother me too much. (I suppose it depends upon the type of laser and setting). Although last time, it was painful???

Try tylenol before the treatment. I've heard that numbing creme does help or ice. Also, bring some Aloe Vera jel with you. I lather that on right after and keep lathering on my ride home (with the A/C full blast).

Shawn

bumping as requested

Just saw this as I am back after an extended period away. I have recently been considering laser treatments for my face, but after this, I don't know. I really hate pain and if it is not permanent. . .

Nancy

I would do it over again. I'm thrilled that I haven't had to use a razor on my legs and underarms in 2 years. And I love not having to bleach or wax my upper lip. The hair that's still there (on my cheeks) is bearable (much more so than the moustauche ever was) and the pain is gone once the procedure is over. I hate pain, too, but I would do it again for the benefits.

I'm so glad I had this done. My hair is pretty much gone now on my upper lip and chin. I don't have to shave at all. There wasn't even enough hair on my chin this last time to even bother doing a treatment, so we postponed for a month.

So now I'm into "maintenance" phase where they charge a lot less and only hit the spots that need it. I'll only have to go in a couple times a year as needed.

Oh, wouldn't it be great to have my leg, belly, and underarm hair gone too! But besides the pain, there's the issue of this being expensive. Maybe once I hit goal I'll consider doing my underarms. I don't know if they do bikini lines. One of my spa treatments I'll be trying at goal is a Brazilian wax though! :omg:

So now I'm into "maintenance" phase where they charge a lot less and only hit the spots that need it. I'll only have to go in a couple times a year as needed.

I haven't gone since my final treatment 1.5 years ago.

I don't know if they do bikini lines. One of my spa treatments I'll be trying at goal is a Brazilian wax though! :omg:

Mine did! They do full Brazilian if you want. I didn't want.

yah i am 18 and last year when i was 17 i got lazer on my upper lip chin neck sideburns and my checks .. i only did 2 treatments and omg did they hurt .. i think i am going to go back and get the treatments agien but i am afraid because i am in school i i dont think i want to go to school looking like a burnt red tomoto... but i am so so so tired of having to nair and wax my face. i do think that body hair has something to do with being over wieght.. .. you know i get so depressed sometime because of the facal hair..... for me to go get treatments i think 8 cost 4000 dollars.. how much are you guys paying?