I want-- no, I NEED-- laser hair removal

[Anonymous]

I would like laser on my face (upper lip) but I am dark skin (AA) and scar very easily. Does anyone have any experience with similar issues?

[Anonymous]

no. but i would recommend going to a reputable doctor where they have a variety of lasers/settings and can speak to treating AA skin. I've been told it can be done but is trickier and you have to be careful about which laser is used. I am not sure if the "trickiness" has more to do with potential issues with scarring or just effectiveness of the laser treatment itself. the advances in this highly desirable/marketable technology just keep coming. I bet there is something out there for you. maybe someone else on the board can speak to the issue directly. good luck!

[Anonymous]

You should contact Dermatology Associates of Mclean, 703-790-5850---they have a laser practice with hair removal lasers to treat all skin types. In my opinion, it is better and worth the money to pay a physician, preferably a dermatologist to perform the procedure than to have someone not quite as trained.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:pp here who recommends laser - i have advice regarding how to deal with your legs/bikini line in the mean time. i have a horrible time shaving too cause my hair is so thick/coarse. at the beginning of beach season, i let the hair grow long enough to wax at home (can't be too long or waxing won't work as well but can't be too short or the hair won't be pulled out). Then I get the sally hanson wax at home strips (big strips for bikini/legs with the sticky stuff already on the strips that you just warm up with friction from your hands - no separate heating required). I then self wax as much as I can. I can't do as well as going to a professional but waxing helps a lot cause it takes the hair much longer to come in and makes keeping up with shaving easier.

I only started doing this after I had had a professional waxing a couple times and figured out how it works. It might be worth splurging on the waxing job just to make things easier on yourself this time. And don't worry, those ladies who do the waxing have seen everything. It does hurt but is worth it in my experience.

I may try a home wax kit. But with coarse hair, doesn't it bleed? I'm afraid of making it worse, if that's possible.

[Anonymous]

I usually bleed a little bit (not everywhere just a few follicles) and the whole area is swollen/red for about a day - I put some aloe stuff (or some soothing liquid)that comes with the wax kit on it to soothe it. After a day it looks great -- way way better than shaving. If I have strays that don't come out with the waxing, I'll shave the next day (after it is calmed down) or pluck a few hairs if I think they are in key sensitive razor burn areas. It hurts a lot but is worth it. good luck.

[Anonymous]

to 16:06, Cultura med spa (in tenleytown or friendship heights?) has a lot of experience with AA skin, they have both derms and aestheticians.