Crossdressers-Haven.com

Hi,

Well we've now had someone who has had one of these (Electrolysis, Light, or Laser) and though it may be too early to get responses about a year out I was wondering if we can have a discussion about effectiveness, cost, discomfort, experience after and during, and even take questions.

Lots of our members are curious about if they want to or not. We may have more people who don't want to alter their body in any way, shape or fashion. It would be good to hear that too.

This may be a big dud of a thread, but I thought I'd try. This is another one I've been wanting to start forever, but didn't. I try to participate in and not create threads as much.

So I don't start talking to myself I'll wait for someone to respond to the thread. This way if it's a not a good topic it can drop down.

Beauty

Hi Beauty,

I think it is a good topic.

We may have more people who don't want to alter their body in any way, shape or fashion. It would be good to hear that too.

I am one of those, who trys to focus on ways that I can enjoy this side of me with what I have. (and I have a lot of hair) So far it has not been a problem, but is one of the reasons that I do not entertain leaving my home dressed. But then again I have no emotional need to want to pass.

Love Darlene.

I haven't posted a full-blown bio or summary yet, but here's me in a nutshell: 46 years old, 6'2", 255 pounds, size 22W. I'm a big guy to start with, but Zippy is a bigger part of me than anyone else has ever known.

I started laser hair removal everywhere below my neck (except for my pubis) almost a year ago. I'm scheduled for my final treatment in late March, and I've been extremely pleased with the results so far. I have pale skin, was never terribly hairy to begin with, and what was there always aggravated me. It itched, it never felt clean, it would become ingrown, it was more of a problem than anything else. I finally decided to treat myself big time, and go for it last year.

I have to say, the first two sessions were the worst, because the hairs were thickest, and there were many more ingrown hairs I didn't know about. The laser finds those, even though we can't see them. By the third treatment, it wasn't much problem at all, just five or six particularly tender spots. At no time during any treatments did I require topical anesthetic creams or lotions. After six treatments now, the only hairs left are white, grey, or blonde, and quite thin. There are so few, I can whisk them away with a razor in just a few seconds.

The system used was a http://www.candelalaser.com/GentleLASE/gl_home.asp Candela GentleLASE Alexandrite laser, with the "Dynamic Cooling Device". That's fancy marketing talk for a shot of cool water mist with freon right after the laser fires. I can honestly say the worst part of it was the faint smell of burned hair and the hint of coolant left behind. The first several sessions took three to four hours each. The last few were just under three hours.

I can't tell you how wonderful it feels to get out of the shower these days, and smooth on a bit of lotion or body oil. It only takes one towel to dry off, and it's a lot quicker. I don't need to use nearly so much anti-perspirant anymore. I was afraid my first winter without the body hair might be chilly, but it's been no different than any other.

The worst thing so far was the cost. I don't believe I could have had this much conventional electrolysis for anywhere near the price, about $4500. They wanted payment up front, and my credit card took the hit while I made payments for the first several months. I don't regret it one bit, and only wish my beard had more dark hairs for the laser to zap. I skipped having my face done, because it would not have been very productive with all the grey hair in my beard. Hopefully, I'll start electrolysis on my beard sometime in February.

I've rambled enough, now. I'll be happy to keep everyone informed of my status as 2005 progresses. I'm sure there may be some minimal regrowth at some time, but nothing I can't handle.

Hi all,

Like Darlene, I don't take any extraordinay measures. Soon after I restarted Cding after 33 years off, I did shave my mustache and goatee off for the first time in 25 years, and I have been clean shaven in the 2 plus years since.

My wife supports my crossdressing, and one of the boundaries is that after I remove the clothing and wash off any makeup and nail polish, I'm still the man she married.

My beard has lots of gray so the laser by itself wouldn't be enough.

I don't go out dressed, haven't really felt the need to present myself as a woman to the public, so I don't have personal need to do hair removal.

I think people should do what's best for their situation.

Just my opinion,

Jadeanne

Hi there,

Great feedback! Thank you so much. I learned quite a bit.

So lots of the regulars know I kept me status updated throughout the months of treatment here:
http://crossdressers-haven.com/forums/v ... .php?t=792

To sum it up, after 12 treatments I'm 98% hair free on my face. I haven't shaved in almost half a year now. The longest break I took from laser was 3 months. That was the most recent visit where I went from October to January with out any hair growth anywhere but the corners of my mouth where the laserologist told me it's the toughest area to get because it's an area where there's lots of blood circulation and hair loves to grow there. I haven't shaved my upper lip in almost a year now.

Cost and technology are what drove me to get laser. At the time I started I hadn't heard of the light pulse, but I'm still happy now (economically) that I did choose laser. It was only a little over one thousand dollars and the results do seem to be permanent, but one year does not permanent make.

I've thought about the underarms, but yeeeouch. I just can't imagine not jerking my arm back down from the pain. I don't have any chest hair so I don't need laser hair removal there.

Yes, the first several visits were the worst, but after that it did get easier. The longest amount of time I spent on the table was probably 45 minutes and that was probably the first two visits.

Thank you to all those who have posted. I think this will be very useful to someone who is thinking about not doing it, thinking about doing it, or is researching the possibilities or options that would be best for them.

Beauty

Beauty, my underarms didn't hurt at all during any treatments. I guess it all depends on your hair and skin types, as do so many different things. Since it's such a small area, it should be relatively inexpensive if treated separately.

Hi Zippy

Thanks. I'm still in operation considering it.

Beauty

Hi,

I found this very cool article about light laser (what Danielle got) I was really positive. At the end of the article it says the person who had the treatement hasn't had regrowth in 4 years and counting. The article also said it was less painful than laser or electrolysis.

http://www.laserhairremovalreview.com/5methods_ul.html

Enjoy!

Beauty