SpectraLight Hair Removal

[Danielle La Belle]

Hello Girls:

When ever I come across something that pertains to this thread I try to get it included pronto!

http://dermatology.about.com/cs/hairana ... logy_2.htm

This link is to a newsletter supported on about.com. The subject of course is "hair." You cannot know too much these days, especially, when it includes your personal "space suit" and your "money."

I think that the information is up-to-date, only the mention of IPL was not included but LASER was. Many people that write these articles are sometimes not always up on the technology available. Things change rather quickly these days, so I am otherwise up-beat about the article and the newsletter connection.

Also I think it is worth noting that the Doctor that I am going to for IPL is a Doctor of Osteopathy. There is a difference in a DO and an MD.
If you are interested in knowing this difference go to:

http://www.hawardenmedical.com/pg/Osteopath.html

I found this site both amusing and educational. Simple explanations.
There are several specialties that the DO may go into. My Doctor specialized in "Dermatology."

I am now waiting as I did on the first treatment period, for the hair about my upper lip and lower lip area to fall out. It takes about 14 days for this to happen with shaving everyday necessary to bring the dead hair to the surface. I will look like my submitted photo about the 17th day in this thread. Like a new born babe. Oooh, I like that word b-a-b-e......no... not like in Ruth ....although I do like to "play ball," whom ever heard of "work ball."

Okay, I am in really good spirits today, the spouse is on a trip up north with the grand-babies, so I am out and about!!! I need to put the "wine" away before typing in this thread!!!

Careful to protect my skin from the sun of course.!!!

Hugs

Danielle

[Danielle La Belle]

The upper and lower lip area have returned to normal and the hair that was there is gone. Little or no sign of any hair with melanin at this time. There are some fine white hairs about the chin. They will need electrolysis if I want it all gone. We knew that any white hairs might remain since they do not accept very much energy it any at all.

For the most part, I remain very pleased with the 2 treatments so far.

See the photos in this thread for comparisons. I have come a long way in just 2 treatments from the original photo. At the end of the day, (16) hours, there is only a few small white hairs on the lower jaw showing and that is under extremely well illuminated conditions. They are around 1/128 of an inch to 1/64th. Growth is slow for now.

Skin is very very smooth. No discoloration. No pigment changes except for the missing small pepper like red and brown spots from age. Skin is clear and bright.

Took 10 years+ from my skins appearance. I am getting good reviews from friends that remember my face from before. I carry a close-up before photo for comparison, ha ha LOL.

Okay. Anything new, I will report.

Hugs

Danielle

[Virginia]

Danielle,
I know you must be very excited about the new you! Make-up will go on so much easier and I would even venture to say that taking care of your skin will be easier too.
Keep us posted, honey
Love,
Deborah

[JoAnn]

Hi Danielle!

I've been trying to follow this thread, but it's now over 6 pages long!!
Could you kind of re-cap everything?

[Danielle La Belle]

Hi JoAnn:

Intense Pulse Light Therapy [IPL] is the use of the "flash-tube" only, found in LASER equipment. They have basically taken the "flash-tube unit and mounted it in a handle that can be pressed against that treatment area to insure that most of the energy discharged goes into the intended treatment area. Think of a photo flash unit found on professional cameras for wedding photography. Remove the flash unit and hold it against your face and set it off. It gets mildly warm and will do no harm to the skin as it is not the correct light frequency and power level. DISCLAIMER: DO NOT DO THIS NEAR YOUR EYES GIRLS>>>>COMMON SENSE PLEASE!!!!

Palomar Inc., along with a handful of other manufacturers make this equipment. I found that Palomar is the most experienced and most popular instrument of choice. I located a Doctor that has purchased the "Medilux System" from Palomar and is local to my area.

There are several different handles with different light frequency and power ranges. Each has a known specific use in treatment. Each can cover or overlap certain treatment conditions of the skin.

I wanted to remove my beard hair. I also wanted to even my facial skin and remove little tiny age spots etc. The beard was the priority, the spots secondary.

If you look through the pages, you will find photos of my various stages. Most are rather self-explanatory...i.e., one with my usual facial hair look, one or two in off-color to show the hair better, and a couple that show after the first and second treatment.

I look like the one that shows glowing skin on page 6 without the redness. 90% of my beard hair is gone after the 2nd treatment. I do still get little white hairs about the lower jaw line and chin. The physics of this technology is based on the idea of seeking out melanin, the coloring agent in your hair folicles. If there is no melanin left, thus white hairs, then the least amount of energy will enter the hail folicle and it will not die.

There is a skin chart called the "Fitzpatrick skin chart." They use this to determine the darkness of the skin and if they can use the equipment on you. I am caucasin (white) so with little tan, I was a very good candidate. You can have a tan, but remember, that is melanin, so the light will go after it as well. You get very very hot after a discharge of the flash-tube into the darker skin. The lighter the better. Can't change physics so for now, people of color must stick with the LASER method that uses the flash-tube and LASER element together for more direct control over where the light beam goes.

I AM SUPER-D-Duper pleased with my current result. It is thought to be permanent but with ony 2 - 4 years worth of patients to go by, we must wait a few more years to see how permanent. FDA rates it as permanent. Non-reversible as a warning for those entertaining this idea.

I used the "Y-handle" for my first treatment. Covers a wider area each use, and had a power level of 5 (1-10). You could hear the hairs "SNAP" as the unit was triggered by the nurse/clinician. They used the "R's handle" for my second treatment. A smaller exposure area, the R's unit goes after the tiny hairs about the mouth and upper lip with fewer treatments required.

There are so many uses for this technology. Brown spots, (liver spots), on hands and face can be removed in 1 or 2 treatments. Roascia, the redness of the skin is removed while the texture remains the same it is then not as obvious.

Spider veins, the little red breaks in the skin that you see on older people in their 70's and 80's. The list of treatments goes on.

A dermatologist is the person to see about this. A DO or MD is fine. They both are qualified via medical school training and are both State certified and licensed physcians by the same agency.

I have included in the pages links to tell you about this. I think on page 6 or page 5 if you scan through there is a link on DO and MD differences.

I will post a new photo soon.

You may email me if you wish for additional conversation.

Hugs

Danielle Marie

[Danielle La Belle]

For what it is worth girls, I have added a couple new photos to my album in the photo section. While I do try to provide something better than average, I thought it best not to embelish these photos to much. Rather, I have just let the wrinkles fly! Age 55, 56 in August, yikes! I wanted to show you mature girls what can be done with a little effort and no professional help.

They are not glamour shots girls. They just show a nice "street" makeup blended with summer comfort clothing.

Deep white and rich cinnamon red, camp blouses from Kmart.

I like basic a great deal as I am just a basic girl!

I am taking my spouse to the dematologist's office today for her interview/analysis about menopause sponsored hair growth on her face. Small, but noticeable to her, it is important for her to feel like a lady again!

Zip, Zap in mid-August for her and my final treatment Aug 3rd.

I hope that everyone found something of value and interest in this thread. I will finish supporting this thread in September after the 3rd treatment has had time to have any effect.

Thank you one and all for the wonderful compliments that you have paid me in the photo section. I read them again today just to lift my spirits.


Hugs

Danielle Marie

[Danielle La Belle]

I was reading my first entry in this thread dated May 11. Time really does fly. Some time ago, I had made a few notes in a forum and then a year later came upon them. That taught me a very important lesson that up until then I ignored pretty much. "Just do It"as the Nike commercial used to say. If you wait too long, time just flies by and there you are, a year later wishing that you had already took care of the original thought.

So I am 8 days from my final 3rd treatment. I now have about 15 little pepper like spots that I can see on my upper lip, with as many visible about my jaw line. These are the last of the die-hard (Bruce Willis) type hairs...

Are they feeling lucky? Hope not, cause we are going to chase them down and ZAP them!

I have after 12 hours, several little white hairs that appear in the makeup but you really have to look to see them. In really strong light, really up close, they can barely be seen. I will need an electrologist to go after those if I truly want baby-smooth hairlessness. Other wise, I have baby smooth skin for around 8 hours most of the time after a light, very light, shaving.. no skin burn, no heavy shaving any more.

I can live with that girls! I am really really happy with everything that was done and the results. For speed, there is nothing better. Cost, well over time I suppose it can be said that you will spend the money on blades, shaving cream, electric razors and replacement blades, pre-shave etc., etc...

For me this was money well spent. Every morning I see Danielle in the mirror without any makeup. You cannot buy that feeling or concept girls. It comes with the package after the treatments.

So I will file another photo or two with Beauty but this is the final step for now for me. I really do not need to pursue this any further in my opinion of myself.

I hope this has been of benefit to others. It certainly has paid of in self-esteem for me in a very big, big way!!!


Hugs

Danielle Marie

[Danielle La Belle]

I finished my 3rd and final treatment for this year. Not much to say right now. Usual redness, only more mild when compared to the first time. Fresh plant Aloe takes care of it right away. After 2 1/2 hours no noteable soreness or redness. Typical pepper sized black spots where the hair was.

I will post a final photo with Beauty in 2 weeks.

Hugs

Danielle Marie

[Danielle La Belle]

I have been waiting to see the results of my 3rd and final treatment for this year. It takes 14 days or so for the hair to fall out that has been exposed to the "light" process. I am relatively without any dark hair right now. I still have white hairs that need to be shaved everyday. This was to be expected.

Again I want to express my satisfaction with the people and the process at the Dr. Heller clinic of Dematology - Daytona Bch, Fla. By doing my homework first I went there understanding the limits of the technology. Those limits will not change unless they change the light source. Physics being what it is, the light source and the corresponding reaction by the dark hairs, is all in the science.

I was going to do another photo but I look the same as has already been posted after the 2nd treatment at this time of the month in the cycle. Skin is radiant and really looking nice. MY Spouse has her first of three appointments on Aug 24, at 4:00pm.... We are doing the same for her with hormone/menopause generated hair growth about the neck, face sides and upper/lower lip area. While it is no where near the courseness or quantity of hair that would be found on a male patient, it is of concern to her so we jointly decided this was the best course of action for her self-esteem. She already has great skin by staying out of the sun all these years.

Hugs

Danielle Marie

[Carolynn]

Hi Danielle!!!

Thanks for the update! I recently let my facial hair grow out for several days. The little darker ones really stand out. Isolating two areas and counting to the best of my ability within those areas (one on cheek, one on upper lip, I look to be about 60% gray already. Sigh

[Danielle La Belle]

Gray, gray, go away. Show up another day...preferably on someone elses face, ....

Carolynn, it is too late girl. White hair, well, just tug and pull or seek a qualified person with electrolysis experience That is why I did this now. While I had about 80% of my hair still dark. There really was not that much time left before going gray all the way, I just turned 56..Yikes!

If I had known, and the technology was available 10 years or more ago, I would have done it in a flash. I am just thankful that it came along when it did and I could do something about it quickly.

Hugs

Danielle Marie

[Danielle La Belle]

Well October is here. My last treatment was around Aug 3rd. 60 days now and I once again have hair growth about my upper lip and a shadow that requires the "pan stick" makeup again. There is some showing around the front lower jaw. I will need some more treatments to get rid of what is their now of course.

This was to be expected. My spouse had two treatments so far and no hair has returned thus far. She feels rather confident that those two treatments have done the job. Since her hair is hormone activated from menopause perhaps it was easier to shut down the growth cycle.

Men need more work becuase of the nature of the hair type and programming that stimulates the hair growth in the first place.

I will report in this area on my next treatment visit and subsequent visits as news breaks, ha ha LOL.

Hugs To All,

Danielle Marie

[Danielle La Belle]

My spouse after her first 2 treatments, opted to pass on the third with no hair visible, she feels the IPL has done its job for her. Rather than seek a rebate on the remaining deposit, I opted to take a 4th treatment.

The Doctor went and did a double treatment on me Tuesday, Oct. 26. That is where the first pass was at a setting of [5] and then they make another complete pass at a setting of [4]. I believe that [5] is the high-end for this IPL light unit.

A setting of 3 was all that was needed for my Spouse and her hormonal hair. Being very fine, it took little effort to rid her face of the unwanted hairs and there ws little if any reddness or irritation. She would let me know if there was, believe me girls!

I on the other hand was into my 2nd set of hair. Those that were dormant the past 90 - 120 days. While the over all area was much lighter than before, it still caused a shadow. The Doctor asked me to come back at the end of November for a review. Perhaps a "touchup" at a bargin basement price since we both had this work done by his office.

Honestly, for the most part, considering what this should do for me over the long run, $ 1100.00us is very, very reasonable. Even if it ends up costing $2000.00 total for a complete effort, I am very, very happy with the result. Phew! You can only immagine from my photo postings how nice it is to not have to grind that stuff off.

You wake up looking great! A little sleepy eyed but great!

Currently, I look like I have pepper on my face. Cannot shave it off as the hairs are still under the skin being pushed out naturally. Each day, I cream my face and shave with a tripple safety razor to help remove the outter skin layer and dead hair. So razor burn here is okay, I know that I am sloughing off the dead cells with the dead hair cells. Day by day they will be pushed outward until around day 10, I will be baby-faced again.

YES!!!!

If you have followed this thread, you should know how this process works, seen the photos and have some idea of what I look like now and will look like in 10 days. I will write again here when I find out anything new or interesting.

Today, it is not unusual for [men] to go to such a clinic and have this work done. I was there on Tuesday of course and there were several men in the office for different treatments. My spouse was shocked by their presence, she still is a 50's girl, and I refer to her as "Donna Reed" from time to time to remind her to step into the 2000's....

Hugs

Danielle Marie

[Danielle La Belle]

Today, I look like I did when I was around 10 years old. In a 5x mirror, I can count only 5 visible dark hairs on my upper lip right against my nose and another 7 hairs ariound the edge of my mouth at the corner on one side only. That's it for the visible dark hairs.

BUT, at my age, I had those pesky white hairs that were still hiding among the original thicket. So, everyday now, I can see what looks like white or blond hairs and of course can feel them. Easily removed in less than 30 seconds with a high-end dry shave Norelco shaver. Yes, it would be nice not to have these but for now, I can certainly live with them.

Electrolysis is the only current answer for those white/blonde hairs. I am looking into that as I type this. My Doctor has a reputable person I think he is willing to recommend. So, at this time, none of the darker hairs have really made a comeback with the exception of those mentioned above.

I will file in this box again after the Western Holidays are over. By then, as before, there should have been ample time for anything to come back that is going to come back.

I do not expect to do further IPL treatments at this time. If by January, things have not changed, then I believe that it is safe to say, this works for the most part. For those of you wanting to invest in yourselves, many people that are friends and clients have all remarked about my new look. They do not know about my CD'ing or the TG community affiliation that I have. One Doctor I know as a client is considering doing it next month. In his mid 30's, he indiciated that it would save him time and inconvience. His wife also appears to like the idea and said so, Tuesday. So, I will get back here with more results by January or sooner if things start to grow dark again.

Let me also report that after 2 treatments only, the spouse's hormonal hair growth has disapperaed and not come back. She is pleased as punch! What ever that means, ha ha LOL.

Hugs

Danielle Marie

[Carolynn]

Hi Danielle!! It's so good to hear how things are going with you, and how your hair removal is maintaining. Please keep it up. It may be too late for me (too many light hairs), but there are others, some new, who can possibly benefit.

Take care, and keep on keepin' on!

Carolynn