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

I just bought a 5 treatment package for my neck, chin, and jawline for $450. My first treatment is on August 7th. Should I get the numbing cream do you think?

I've had both the numbing treatments and ice packs, and I would have to say, go with the ice packs.

I had less pain with the ice packs, and I did no break-out like I did with the numbing cream.

The reason I havn't had lasting results is because my tumor, Petunia, wreaks havoc with all sorts of body systems, not just weight. I have never regreted having the treatments.

I just bought a 5 treatment package for my neck, chin, and jawline for $450. My first treatment is on August 7th. Should I get the numbing cream do you think?

I did and would do again -- BOTH the numbing cream and the ice packs. The first treatment is tough but the easiest. After that it gets worse and the numbing cream was, in my case, indispensable.

I never did end up using numbing cream. Regular ice cubes in a plastic bag (or double bag) turned out to be the best. Push it against your skin and hold it (use a towel so your hands don't freeze). Eventually the ice will stop burning and your skin will be pink & numb. Plus ibuprofen taken about 30 min prior to treatment. AND -- I found that having the tech go fast was much better than having her go slow. It's over quicker, if nothing else.

Don't forget the bacitracin after the treatment. (after you've iced for a bit). Or at least put it on before bed that night. And/or wash with a good antibacterial face wash.

Marisa -- I totally get the annoyance with the red tomato look. Is it possible to set the treatment up for a Friday afternoon and just plan to not go out on the weekends after getting lasered? I try to schedule mine on Fridays as showing up at work all red and swollen is more attention getting than the hair was to begin with. Or so it feels! I'm just so glad it's gone.

I was looking into this as a "treat" for getting to goal.

Now I know I am doing it. Thanks ladies!

I haven't had it done yet, but will definetely do it. I have PCOS and have facial hair on upper lip, chin, and cheeks. I'm tired of waxing, plucking, nairing, etc. I haven't tried shaving b/c I always thought it would grow in heavier. Anyway, when I spoke with laser center, they quoted me $200 per session. This would cover: upper lip, chin, and jawline area.

Hi,

I've got PCOS and I thought losing the weight would rectify this problem. My Endo gave me some Vaniqa cream to use twice a day, this should slow/stop the hair growing. Have you tried it?

Hi,

I've got PCOS and I thought losing the weight would rectify this problem. My Endo gave me some Vaniqa cream to use twice a day, this should slow/stop the hair growing. Have you tried it?

I haven't tried the Vaniqa cream. Did you go to your doctor for it, or dermatalogist? Does insurance cover it? I know it's expensive.

I don't know I'm in the UK. I was seeing my endocronologist about my PCOS and told him the hair was getting worse and he asked if I've tried it, but I hadn't heard of it, it takes 2 months to work so am in the early stages. Their is a website about it and theres some very positive reviews, might be worth speaking to GP about it.

I'm so glad someone brought this up. My "shaving" is one of my deep dark secrets I don't talk to anyone about. I don't know if its PCOS or what, but a few years ago I'd had enough of the upper lip and chin hair and I shaved it off. Of course I've had to continue now....and I can't talk about it to anyone becuase I'm embarrased. My dream is to get laser hair removal...

I once heard about a product that lessened the hair, some cream, but who knows if it works.

I wonder if I lose weight if it will go away?...why the hell is the hair there anyway? ....Does every woman have this issue?

yah me i have that issue. i ev had it since i was 16 ,, and anouther question for evey 1 can being over wieght stop me from having my period cuz being almost 19 9 day left to bday i have yet to get my period.

yah me i have that issue. i ev had it since i was 16 ,, and anouther question for evey 1 can being over wieght stop me from having my period cuz being almost 19 9 day left to bday i have yet to get my period.

Yes, absolutely being overweight can affect you having your period. The heavier I am, the less often I have it. Maybe twice a year at my heaviest. I once got down to almost being in a size 14 and my period was almost completely regular again. When I gained my weight back, I went back to being terribly irregular. Being overweight affects our hormones (which is another reason for the hair growth).

I'd talk to your doc about this or go see a gyn. Mine wanted me on BC pills to keep my . regular. That didn't work so well for me, so I switched to medroxyprogesterone, which I would take only if I went for 3 months with no period. Still, if you are almost 19 with no ., you will want to have an exam. Starting at 18, you should have a yearly pap smear anyway, so if you haven't started, now's the time. :huggie:

I am in the process of having my bikini lasered.I had electrloysis done about 13yrs ago on my eyebrows and the pain was terrible. I never could have laser done in the past because I am a red head and you had to have dark hair for it to work. They have updated the laser so that it will now work on me. The only advice that i can offer is to make sure that a NURSE is doing the treatment. Laser can cause burns if it's not done correctly

I have started having treatments. I got an amazing package deal. $600 for chin & upperlip w/ unlimited treatments for a year. I have to agree though about the pain. It does hurt, but well worth it. Also I have to say that they specified that I could not pluck or wax the hairs while doing this treatment because it removes the hair folicle that they are trying to zap...therefore never really getting rid of any hairs. They said shaving was fine. I've had 3 treatments so far and I no longer have to shave every day. It's wonderful!

Props to everyone!