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Have you ever had laser hair removal or know someone who has? I'm looking for some advice on the subject.

I had it done and although it was expensive it was one of the smartest things I ever did in my life. It was worth every penny. I wish I had it done when I was even younger and I would have done my entire legs too. I plan to offer laser hair removal as a gift to my daughter when she is older.

I went to The Cosmetic Vein and Laser Center in Williamsville. I loved Dr. Buscaglia and his staff. I did a lot of research before choosing them. I would not recommend having it done at a spa. Have it done in a medical setting. I know people who were burned and scarred in spas by people with no medical training or supervision.

If you want details on what I had done and what it was like, message me.

I should add that I have considered having my full legs done, but I am now in perimenopause so my hair grows much more slowly, so it seems a little wasteful now. But if I were in my 20s or 30s I would do it in a heartbeat. When I was in college I worked at the beach and had to shave every day. I would have given anything for the freedom of laser hair removal back then, but it didn't exist yet.

I have been thinking about having it done for a few years. That and some kind of facial peel for sun spots and fine lines. I'll look into the place you mentioned. It's always helpful when someone gives you a place to start with.

They do that too. Dr. Buscaglia is a dermatologist. He's wonderful.

I am in the process of getting it done w/ Dr. Wirth. He's a dermatologist and he's so kind and gentle. I'm in the letting-it-grow-out stage, which is tough. The hair in question is on my face and it's getting so tempting to pluck. I have PCOS and suffer from facial hair growth and although I have blond hair, the facial hair grows in like a beard... dark and thick. Super embarassing. So, I'm self-conscious about it now, but I know it'll be worth it in the end. It's expensive, and insurance doesn't cover it, but we don't live lavishly, so it's a splurge for me to help w/ my confidence. No 31 year-old woman should have to shave or pluck her face. I think if you're diagnosed w/ PCOS and it's confirmed that it has caused the facial hair growth, it should be covered by insurance, at least partially!

Gail do they schedule a consultation first? And do you have to pay for that? I went to Helendal Dermatology in Rochester a few years ago for the sun spots and the consultation was free. But the lady wasn't intrested in talking about any laser treatment she wanted to sell me the creams and lotions to get rid of the sun spots but I didn't want to do them (they were more than the laser treatment) so I told her I have to think about it. I never went back though. I thought she was so pushy and didn't listen to a word I said. I am going to call The Cosmetic Vein and Laser Center tomorrow for an appointment. I think this is a perfect time of year I get the treatments done.

I have been thinking of getting a cemical peel or something like that for sun spots too.I didnt start getting them until I hit 35 and then bam there they were.Keep us posted on cost and how well it worked..Thanks!

Yes, first you have a consultation, and I am pretty certain it was free. You meet with Dr. Buscaglia and the nurse or physician assistant who will be performing the laser treatment. They educate you about the treatment, give you a prognosis for success based on your hair and skine types and also take "before" pictures for your record at that time. You part at the first visit at which you receive treatment. That was the way it worked a few years ago when I had it done and I think the procedure is still the same.

Stupid question... Do you shave or have to have hairy everything for the consult?

That's a good question. I would ask them to be sure, but I think you need to show them the hair, so you don't shave for the consult. But you do shave regularly after that. You shave just before they do the laser treatment.

Going next week for my first treatment. How's everyone else doing?

Going at the end of January to have a consultation for sunspots. I'm going to ask about the laser hair removal too.

I am looking forward to hearing how you ladies make out with it.

For my consultation, I did not have to do anything differently. He took a look, and said he knew exactly what I was talking about and told me how to begin preparing for the procedure if I wanted to. At first, I thought I'd have to let it all grow out and I was embarassed to think that I'd have a beard for 6 weeks, but when I found out I could shave it, I felt much better! So, I just can't pluck or wax the hair, but I can shave it until the procedure. My first session is next Wednesday! I'm kinda excited!!!! I'll keep ya posted!

Please do. I am keeping my fingers crossed for you and wishing you good results!

Good luck! I'm excited for you!!

I had my 1st session yesterday. It was 5 min long. I can all ready see a little differnce. I opted for no numbing b/c I'd have to sit there for an hour. It was okay, if you can't tolerate pain definatley do the numbing. The thing I think that bothered me the most was the smell.
Mjbmomof3 is right about the waxing/plucking. I had to wait 6 weeks to schedule my session because of this. In the meantime you can shave and use lots of makeup!

ok! i just went today for my 1st appointment! i did go w/ the numbing cream...i'm a big baby! i don't know how much it really made a difference b/c i still felt every little zap! it was like being splashed w/ droplets of hot grease... but it didn't sting and the pain subsided as quickly as it hit. i had to sit in the waiting room w/ the cream on my face and saran wrap on it to help hold in my body heat to accelerate the numbing agent. thank goodness i didn't know anyone in the area, so i wasn't at risk of running into anyone i knew!

Thanks for the update, and I agree with everything you said.

Are you guys all going to the same doctor for this? Just wondering where I should go, I have been considering this as well.........

@zbsmommy~ I'm going to Dr. Paul Wirth on Essjay Rd in Williamsville. He's a licensed dermatologist and also licensed in using the Gentle-lase laser.

I saw Dr. Buscaglia and his staff at the Cosmetic Vein and Laser Center. It was several years ago. I met with him and he monitored the progress, but he didn't actually do my laser treatment because it wasn't my face. He does all faces himself but other body parts were done by his licensed nurse and he would come in and check the results.

Thanks ladies!

How did everyone make out with their procedures?I am thinking of having the hair removal done and a few sun spots removed.