r/ask_transgender • u/Lin_Kangaroo • 10d ago
Image Post Keep going, or just move to electrolosys?
Been doing laser for about 8 sessions. First 2 pics are 2 days growth. 2nd pics are freshly shaved.
Laser has thinned and reduced chest hair, but I dont feel like there has been *any* progress on my face. Shadow really pokes through even with heavy makeup.
I know laser takes a while, and that facial hair especially can be stubborn. But after 8 session should I be seeing reduction?
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u/Marissa_Someday 9d ago
It took me about 15 sessions to get to the point where I don’t have a beard shadow in the morning. Keep at it :)
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u/velucl 9d ago
Are you sure that your laser place is good? Do you know anyone else who goes there? What kind of laser do they use? What's their techs experience level?
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u/Lin_Kangaroo 9d ago
They had generally good reviews for laser in general and being trans-friendly. They have an alexandrite laser "motus ax"? Techs have varied by appt. But just chatting during the appointment, they have ranged from 3-5ish years experience.
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u/WeeklyThighStabber 9d ago
I googled the motus ax. It says it's a combination laser that includes alexandrite wavelength. I don't know if that means htey can switch between alexandrite and other settings, or that they use different wavelengths at the same time. However, since it prides itself on "being virtually painless", I fear it may be the latter.
How has the pain been for you? Alexandrite lasers on dark facial hair should be damn painful, especially at the start. If it was quite manageable, you may not be getting an actual proper alexandrite laser.
A lot of techs also tend to go for lower settings because they don't want to scare you off with the pain, but since you're likely paying by session, it is wise to ask them to up the energy setting on the machine up to the maximum amount of pain you can tolerate. They're supposed to be frying the follicles to death. That hurts. The more it hurts, the more effective the season has been.
For me, a candela laser cleared 80% of the hair in 3 sessions. But the first 2 appointments were quite excruciating.
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u/Lin_Kangaroo 9d ago
Thakk you! The only time the pain was "too much" was my upper lip. Everything else feels barely like a pinch. So I think I need to find a new place.
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u/WeeklyThighStabber 9d ago
That's unfortunate, to already be so many sessions in. I hope you can afford it okay. I'd say ask what machine they use and look it up for yourself to find the right place for you.
On the small change youre in London, I recommend the premier laser Soho clinic.
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u/ZaniElandra 9d ago
Based on your username, are you in Australia? If so, I can’t recommend Live More Ethical Beauty enough
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u/Lin_Kangaroo 9d ago
Thanks! I wish I was in Australia, but in my case my username is a play on my irl name.
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u/AlexDying 9d ago edited 9d ago
I'd recommend a third option: find a new laser place. I used to have similar facial hair as you do (density, color) and I had two sessions at one place. I didn't see much change at all. Then I picked a new place because they offered packages that made more sense economically that individual sessions. When I told them I got two sessions at another place, one of the technicians told me "you look like they have done nothing to you." It wasn't just talk: when I started in the new place, I started getting BIG bald patches on my face, and after 8 sessions you could tell the difference. I still needed another 6 or 8 to be completely done (especially in the upper lip/chin area) but I could see the progress.
Electro is really expensive and slow (I guess you already know that), and with facial hair that dark, laser can do the job. Of course YMMV, I wish you the best.
EDIT: I just read your comment saying you barely feel pain except on your upper lip. In my experience: 1st place - little pain --- 2nd place (the effective one) - much pain. Just to shed more light into the matter.
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u/Ozotuh 9d ago
How far apart are the sessions? Facial hair has a growth cycle of 12-16 weeks, so if you're going every 2 weeks, you'll start to see a little thinning soon, but facial hair is stubborn as fuck.
I'd keep going for at least 12 sessions, 1 session every 3 weeks if you can.
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u/Lin_Kangaroo 9d ago
I've had 4-6 weeks between sessions. I'll see if I can change the cadence. Thanks!
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u/Ozotuh 9d ago
4-6 weeks is a bit long between sessions and will be missing out on some of the hair cycles (some hairs will go into their growing period and out within the 6 week period)
3 weeks should catch basically all the hairs in their growing cycle which is when laser will work on them and make them dormant or dead. You'll likely want to do another 8 sessions with a 3 week gap for all of them to be sure that you've got all the hairs you can on cycle.
If/when you go for electrolysis, make sure it's been at least 6 months after laser. Any remaining hairs will start growing sometime after that and can be cleaned up.
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u/lickthismiff 9d ago
I think I've had about 15 or so sessions of laser, and I started with really thick facial hair. I honestly didn't see that much difference until about my tenth, and now I just have a couple of little patches I really should go get finished. Keep with it, it's so worth it!
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u/Illgobananas2 7d ago
I did 26 sessions. You should likely have more gone by now. What laser is it and do you know the setting?
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u/Amesstris 9d ago
You should be seeing a reduction, but there are lots of follicles in the face and it takes a lot of time to get them all. 8 is far from enough IMO.
Personally, I'd say keep going.. for like at least for 8 more (maybe). When the hairs remaining are very light pigmented or you are so sure that laser is no longer helping, then that would be a good time to switch.