I am here to share my personal experiences with laser hair removal and the accidental burn that I have suffered, which has left behind permanent burn marks on my chin. It will be a long story as every part of it has something to learn from (so as i feel). It all started several months ago when I finally decided to start with my laser sessions to get rid of the unwanted cheeks and chin hairs (Primarily known as beard). Finding a laser clinic wasn't difficult. My bestie helped me out with it although each and every of them were far from where I live in mumbai, I still decided to consult to atleast understand the basics. Also, I needed a moral support as it was my first time and I had to open my mask and disclose to the dermatologist / therapist about my biology (trans)... I was carrying all my blood reports but no confidence at all. My first visit was to a very posh and rich clinic where the Dermatologist examined my skin and hair thickness and came up with the pricing package, which clearly stated that she wasn't ready to do this job. The price was INR 64,000/- for 10 sessions and she even told me about the newly introduced method she would use. They charged me a consulting fees of Rs. 900/-. We then moved on to a transphobic dermatologist who out of 38 minutes spent 37 minutes expressing her phobia without even making me feel bad. A real artist I must say! According to her, my blood reports, hormonal level reports and other reports were of a cis gender woman and if I had not mentioned it she wouldn't have come to know that I am not a cis gender woman. She came up with a quotation of INR 5000/- per session and insisted upon buying the package of 10 sessions which she was ready to offer @ INR 40,000/- ...She even forcibly stuck a sunscreen cream to me @ Rs. 499/- because she was sure I wouldn't return back lol.... and sadly even that cream got stolen by my sister. Well, they charged me a consulting fees of Rs. 650/- (very generously)... Then my 3rd visit on the same day was to a clinic about 10 kms from my house which had no doctor, but the therapist had a certification in laser therapies. He was confident in his approach and we even saw other transgender sisters waiting in the lobby, which made me feel really more comfortable and confident. He promised to help me get rid of every single hair on my lower face in unlimited sessions @ Rs. 25,000/-. But some how, I wasn't really convinced because he wasn't a doctor and took no responsibility of any accidental injuries. Few days passed and then the same bestie shared a contact of a clinic named "Claro" near to my house at a distance of just 5 mins. I booked an appointment for the next day. The lobby was full of women who had come for various skin care treatments. After waiting for 5-10 minutes I was then called inside by the doctor. Dr. Avanti Trivedi, a very intelligent young lady, most humble and hospitable by nature, closely observed my skin, hair thickness and all the reports I carried with me. She offer me a very convincing deal and was clear about the side effects and other things which actually convinced me. Claro offered me 4 Sessions @ INR 2500 each and if I paid for 4 sessions in advance they would even provide 2 complimentary free sessions with a total cost of Rs. 12000/- + modi GST. I was impressed, not just about the price but when the Doctor herself said that I won't require more than 6 sessions to get rid of all the unwanted facial hairs. (she even covered my eyebrows btw)...
(oops i talk too much) Now primarily there are two methods of performing Laser Hair Removal
1) Stamping
2) In-Line-Motion
In my case the first method was used for the upper lips until 4th session and the second method for the rest of the face (chin and neck, i never had hairs on my cheeks). During every session the doctor would first come, observe the skin and hair growth and do certain markings using a pencil to divide each area for specific energy range. She would then advise the therapist to go accordingly. The therapist was really funny!...she would try hard to keep me cheerful during the entire painful process, by her sense of humor. She would even lend me a cushion to grab on while she would thoroughly perform her task.
The in-line-motion felt like sparks and stings as she moved the hand held gun in circular motion over my skin, after applying the gel (please note, that gel is not just meant for lubrication but even to reduce pain by numbing the upper layer of the skin, but laser pulse penetrates deeper until the follicles and thus it makes no sense and is still painful). During each area she covered, I had to stop her after every few seconds because of the pain. The pain that occurred during the in-line-motion was still bearable. Then at the end, she would mentally prepare me for the stamping procedure on my upper lips....just 10 shots and I would feel cremated. Each shot felt like a bunch of hundred hairs being plucked mercilessly by an electric shock. Each shot shook me from head to toe and eventually the head rest would give up and snap backwards. After 3-4 shots I would ask her to stop, get up, take my eye mask off, ask for a mirror and look at the dead follicles spread across my incredibly swollen upper lips like the dead fishes on a shore. Once every thing was done, she would come by and apply ice all over the affected area, She would even pack a few cubes in a rubber hand gloves for me to do the icing while on the way back home (which I would quietly throw into the bin as "who would do that walking on the street way back home huh?")..
It was my 5th session few days back when things took an ugly turn. I wouldn't blame the doctor and/or the therapist as they just tried to close the topic soon without leaving a possibility for me to come over and over again even after the planned and finalized 6 sessions. The doctor came in as usual, she did the markings and while doing that she asked the therapist about the energy levels and the method she used to every specific region on my face. On confirming with her, she advised her to raise the energy (power) levels to the highest and perform stamping method not just on my upper lips but even on my chin this time. There you go, I was nervous already but I gathered in strength and laid down on my regular death bed. The therapist started with the in-line-motion first. She covered the areas one by one which already had no hair growth by that time. I felt it comfortable and to an extent relaxing. There was no sting felt during the entire process, in fact just a bit of mild tickling. After 30 mins of the that procedure she applied more gel and informed me that she would be starting with the stamping method now. I gathered in my forgotten courage once again and in the midst of all fears and nervousness I said "start"... That first shot refreshed all my childhood memories. After three shots I began to cry like a baby. On realizing that, she caressed my head, my fore head...she asked me if i needed water, but I opted for getting up from the bed once. She generously allowed and I could see tears in her eyes as well... She even said "I can really feel your pain"... Every single shot after that, was a visit to hell and coming back. That sound, the stench of the burning follicles and he pain were getting registered firmly on my memory book. Just before the few last shots...I asked her "how many more left ma'am"...and she was like...."just 5- 6 more, trust me I will do it real quick"...so did she....but they weren't 5-6....they were 11 in all. Once it was all done...I got up from the recliner bed slowly like a feather. I gently took of my eye mask. The cups of the mask were filled by my tears by then, waiting to spill every drop out, screaming the pain and agony I suffered. But the real pain so less did my tears and me had realized that moment, was yet to come. I came back home, applied my regular ointment which the doctor had prescribed day 1, passed the day and went to sleep with the burning sensation all over my chin and upper lips whole night. A new day began with a bright sun light, sneaking through the roughly drawn curtain over my windows. I usually don't see the mirror when I get up. I go straight into the bathroom. I rested and relieved my self and then turned on to the mirror to pick up my tooth brush. That sight my eye witnessed is something my words won't be able to describe so well. My entire chin had blisters all filled with water and my upper lips had burn marks. I came out half crying and full of depression. Took my phone clicked a picture and sent it to the doctor. She did not keep me waiting, perhaps she was shocked herself too. She came up with a prescription mentioning antibiotics capsules and another ointment, advising me for the next 5 days followed by a reporting. The blisters popped and the burnt skin peeled off after 5 days but the pain stayed. The pain on my skin was less, but the one deep inside of my heart was worst. I reported my condition by sending my pics and she assured that the marks would go. It's the 10th day after the incident. I had been to another dermatologist today morning just to have a fresh perspective on the burn marks and he confirmed that two of the major ones are permanent and they will require cosmetic surgery (skin overlay) ....
To all my sisters here....I just have a few suggestions for you which I insist you to consider before and while going for a laser hair removal session
1) if it has happened with me then it's not necessary it will happen with you. We all have different skins, color, hair types etc.
2) Do no go for quick methods, take time, get multiple sessions with moderate energy lasers
3) Always undergo the treatment/therapy under a certified dermatologist (doctor) and not any experienced therapist
4) Yes indeed the pain I suffered was high. I am sensitive towards pain more than average girls. However, no pain...no gain...
Thank you for you time reading my stuff here, I wish you all a very good luck! <3
