[XLMuffnTop]

For those of you who have had laser hair removal, have you ever heard of American Laser Centers? If so, were they professional and effective?

The local center is running a special of $99 for the first three treatments and 50% of any remaining treatments. I've never been able to afford it but was always really desperate to.

This may be the only way I am able to do so but it makes me very nervous. You know the saying if it sounds too good to be true it probably is? I'm just wondering why they're offering it so cheap.

[DisgruntledOne]

I know nothing about them. But I suspect IF they are any good one reason they are running such a good special is the economy. This isn't a neccesity in life so I suspect it one of the first things to be eliminated if one is having financial trouble. This is probably a way of drumming up business.

[Emme]

I have used laser treatments for facial hair for almost two years and it works for about 6 weeks and then the hair starts to grow back. It was getting lighter and thinner, but the last time around it grew back extremely dark and thick. Very frustrating. I've had almost 10 treatments and I still feel like I am at square one because of this last regrowth.

It's probably just a cheap deal they're trying to do to bring in new clients. I wouldn't be afraid to go there because it is cheaper...good luck if you try it!

[nina125]

Where in TX are you? I live in Houston and I would strongly suggest that you go to Baylor Hospital. They have an excellent doctor & RN with excellent prices. Let me know if you need more info.

[Willow324]

Ive tried laser and electrolosis (sp?) both were very painful and ineffective. I talked to an endocrinologist about it and they said its a hormonal thing, the hair will keep coming back. Now I use hard wax about once every 2 weeks and it works well.

[Willow324]

one more thing..since its hormonal sometimes BCP or theres a vanish cream...and also some pill called spiro-something that supposedly help

[drummergrrrl]

Willow324 - Spironolactone helps some women with their facial hair, but I feel like it's kind of a crap shoot. It didn't do anything for me during the several months I took it ... but I've heard a lot of women experience success.

The hair growth is hormonal, but I wouldn't assume that the laser treatment won't work for you just because it didn't work for some of the others on here. I was discouraged by reading a lot of posts on boards like these, especially about acne, and so I put off going to the dermo because I assumed a doctor couldn't help me (based on the forum posts I read). My skin is almost perfectly clear now, though! Everyone has different reactions to these things, and it's smart to get a doctor's opinion in addition to what you read here.

No offense to anyone who posts here, but everyone's body is different.

[lovegoddess1977]

The aldactone (spiro) takes about a year before you notice anything. I was very upset by this when my doctor told me. I want something that will work faster.... Well, thats not gonna happen. There is no quick fix. No matter how many laser treatments you have the hair will always grow back until the hormones are fixed. The aldactone can help to lighten it but it wont make it go away. I don't want to wait a year but.... all I have is time. The quicker I start that quicker one year will be over and I will start to see some results.

[spixiet]

I have Eastern European heritage and PCOS...it is safe to say that I was pretty darn hairy for a girl. I had a series of laser treatments (4-5 sessions) about 8 years ago, and here are my results (no treatments since)

Face: Upper lip, chin and front of neck. Hair growth never went away completely, but it is approximately 30-40% less than before. Still enough that it must be dealt with daily

Under arms: Hair growth mostly went away, but began slowly returning after about 2 years. Currently, I would say that my hair growth is about a quarter or what it was before.

Legs: Only sporadic hairs growing even 8 years later. I shave about once every 6 weeks in the winter, and about once every 2 weeks in the summer.

Around nipples (hair was fine to begin with, but still a bit embarrassing): No regrowth, don't have to worry about it any more

I was too embarrassed to get my belly or pubic region lasered, but the technician did tell me that as part of their training, they did laser on each other. She basically had a brazilian done one time. She said it was incredibly painful, but that her pubic hair was much softer and finer for years afterward.

My two cents (with absolutely no scientific knowledge to back it up ), are that us lucky PCOSers have hormones telling our bodies to grow hair where ladies usually don't have hair. Based on my regrowth, I would say that those hormones are winning with regards to face, chin and front of neck. However, the laser was very effective for me on the other areas (where most women have hair growth)....

[XLMuffnTop]

Thanks for the input everyone.

I opted not to take the deal because I ended up hearing some rather unpleasant things about the business practices of the center.

I would like to be on supplements or even prescription medications to help balance out the hormonal issues but it will have to wait as I'm currently nursing. I figure I've gone without this long what's another few months? But I have to see my doctor anyway once I wean, so we'll have a long discussion about ways to help my PCOS and all the nasty little symptoms.

nina125: I'm in West Texas currently and very far from any Baylor center. There is a teaching hospital here, Texas Tech med school but as far as I know they don't have anything of the sort. If I ever move back to DFW I'll keep Baylor in mind though.

[nina125]

I have excess facial hair along my jawline and upper lip. The laser treatments have helped me somewhat and I still have to go every 6-12 months for touch ups.

My sister on the other hand, who has full blown facial hair (sideburns, cheeks, entire chin and upper lip) had it done with excellent results. She doesnt even go for touch ups after her first 3 appointment.

I don't blame you for not trusting American Laser clinic. I am leary about med spas too. Check out your local hospital's dermatology department, they might have laser hair removal treatments.

[nelie]

When I had laser hair treatment, i was told 6 treatments was the minimum. There are 3 hair growth cycles and they want to hit each one twice. I actually had to go for about 9-10 treatments though.

Basically, the hair didn't grown back for 5 years and then it started to come back slowly. It is a lot less than it was, a LOT less but still it is growing back. I'm almost at the point of looking for treatments again (I am 7 years out). I'm not sure I want to endure pain or spend the money. I'd need my whole chin and lip done again. I'd NEVER do my eyelid again.

[XLMuffnTop]

I think I will talk to my obgyn doctor when I see him. I'm sure he's had to deal with this plenty as he's an infertility specialist as well so I'm sure he's had plenty of PCOS patients.

I feel like I HAVE to talk to him at this point although I've always ran from the discussion. Honestly, this is most embarrassing aspect of my appearance; it's ruined my self-esteem and social life far more than being fat.