Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow…Well, in a Couple of Months
by Fighting Back in Colorado
A Woman with PCOS tells her Laser-Hair-Removal Story
I just finished my fifth round of laser hair removal treatments. Yes, it was expensive. Yes, it kind of hurts. Yes, it was worth it!
Like many women with PCOS, I suffer from Hirsutism, which is just a fancy word for women sprouting goatees and chest hair.
Things definitely improved when I followed the Insulite PCOS exercise and nutrition plan and took their nutraceuticals. I lost weight and my excess hair was dissipating.
But I still had enough growth on and around my chin to be embarrassing. Tired of waxing and plucking, I finally decided to have it permanently removed.
After much Googling on the subject, I found that having dark hair and fair skin makes me the perfect candidate for successful laser hair removal. Apparently, the contrast helps attract the laser to the hair. I called a nearby clinic and made an appointment for a consultation.
I was surprised when the esthetician I consulted with was familiar with women and PCOS, who she said were “some of my best clients.” I was told I would need three to seven rounds of thirty-minute treatment sessions to achieve maximum results. Much to my dismay, she also informed me that results are not always permanent and that maintenance sessions may be necessary. With the treatments costing about $150 each, I prayed for permanence! I left the clinic that day with a tube of topical anesthetic (numbing cream) and an appointment for the following Monday.
As instructed, I applied the anesthetic to my chin thirty minutes prior to my appointment. When I slathered the cream onto my freshly shaved face, as instructed, at the red light of a large intersection, I began feeling a little nervous. If it was only “mildly painful,” why did I have to apply a numbing cream?
Palms sweating, I positioned myself into the treatment chair. The esthetician came in and handed me a pair of pink eye glasses. “For eye protection from the laser,” she said. She then donned a pair herself and went to work on me. The description of the pain I had read on the Internet, “a rubber band snapping against your skin,” was pretty close to how it felt, not unbearable, but certainly annoying. Over the course of twenty minutes she moved the laser gun systematically across my chin and jaw line. Afterwards, she applied some sort of soothing gel to calm the irritation.
Once home again, I inspected my chin in the mirror. Even though I had shaved, some of the hairs, looking rather fried, had literally popped out of their follicles. I could just pull them out. Slightly disgusting, nevertheless, this seemed like progress!
After four more rounds of treatments I am happy to say that I am virtually beard free! Now, when I kiss my husband I know I am just feeling his stubble, not our stubble.
To be continued…
Just as a follow-up to this posting… I am 30 years old and have been struggling with PCOS for many years (I was officially diagnosed 9 years ago but have been affected by it since I was 9). The worse symptom for me is definitely anxiety/depression; however, perpetuating that symptom is my Hirsutism (hair growth) especially on my chin and upper lip.
I decided 4 years ago to get laser treatments. Unfortunately, I was also on hormonal drugs at the time so my treatments didn’t stick. Sure enough, and to my great dismay, about a year after my first round of treatments the hair came back. Not as severe as pre-treatment, but enough to affect my every-day life negatively again.
Since then I’ve opted for a more “natural” approach to my PCOS and began new treatments 9 months ago. American Laser Centers allows you to purchase “insurance” (which is free if you “order” 6 sessions at once) that provides 2 years of treatments after the last paid-for treatment any time you feel the need. This gives me peace of mind knowing I can go back if the hair comes back. Regardless, even if I knew it’d come back in a year again I’d definitely continue to get treatments. Not having facial hair to be self-conscious of has changed my life. I would still recommend not evening taking herbal remedies to your PCOS when getting treatments and they will not be as effective as if you are only trying to diet and exercise.
Also, it’s nice you did not experience anything but mild pain… but for me it has ranged from mild to “can barely stand it another second”. It really depends on what level they use and how your hormones are at the moment. I notice when I’m “supposed” to be having my period my face is much more sensitive. So beware… it does hurt and the snapping rubber band can turn into hot iron, but it never feels like you’re going to have your face burnt off or anything. Using ice packs is very helpful and purchasing something to assist with ingrown hairs is also essential.
So bottom line… IT’S WORTH IT. I paid $850 after a “promotional discount” (varies depending on negotiations and the promotional discount is always listed as 25% on their website) for 6 treatments of chin/upper lip/abdomen. Even if for only 3 years I’m free of unwanted hair in those areas I figure I’d spend more time and money (not to mention the embarrassment and anxiety) trying to get rid of it if I hadn’t had the treatment. I honestly wish I could buy every woman, who has this issue, laser treatments.
I’m still struggling with my anxiety/depression and really need to get on track with a health regime, but at least I don’t wonder if someone is staring at my stubble every time their eyes wander from mine…