Hello gents,
i just thought i should share my great experience of my first laser treatment, which i've had just an hour ago.
After browsing online for a place, im really happy to of found a really good laser specialist clinic with an Alexandrite machine in Islington, London, UK - The Angel Laser Clinic.
After a phonecall i was immediately pleased to find that i was talking to someone with experience of scalps and detailed and attentive knoledge of the treatment, much of the information on this thread was mentioned so i felt assured. I phoned Saturday and was booked in for a consultation and test patch the following day.
I was asked questions about medical history and my skin type, how it reacts to the sun etc. They then explained everything i needed to know and evaluated my skin type in order to choose the right laser, of which they have 3-4 types i believe.
I have a normal to olive skin type and dark hair so the Alexandrite machine was chosen (Italian parents, although i can get quite pasty my skin reacts well to the sun and i get a nice golden brown).
They then cleaned and shaved a patch on either side of my head for testing, a few zaps, then they applied some aloe gel and spf50.
I was told to give this test 24 hours. I managed to book a treatment for the following day, if the test went well.
Although slightly sore, i was surprised that it wasn't as red or spotty as i imagined it would be, in fact after an hour it was fine. The only thing i noticed was a slight swelling in the area.
Nonetheless, i returned today for my treatment, was examined and was assured that i have reacted well to the laser, so i went ahead with the treatment.
I
was nervous on my way to the clinic, i felt since i had only discovered it this Saturday gone, i was perhaps rushing into it, although i had zero doubt that this was my best option.
However, with their professionalism and patience, i was soon calmed and felt reassured about the entire process and maintenance.
So the treatment ; the scalp was cleaned and i was then given a mirror to offer input on where exactly the laser should stop (since im not having the top done, only the sides), she then marked it with a pencil and i also suggested the line for where the beard/facial hair meets the scalp hair (sideburns) as i wanted to keep the natural meeting point.
With goggles in place she began the treatment and made sure i would inform her if i wanted her to stop or pause.
Well, it zings, theres no doubt about that lol. I would compare it to being quickly prodded with a soldering iron.
However, it is manageable. I think its mind over matter, realising that pain is only a warning that damage is being done. She helped at points by talking to me and that does distract you. Otherwise, if you just drift off into thought you'll 'miss' alot of the pain. You'll find that the coarser hairs hurt a bit more than the others so you will be in a sort of sharp pain then relief situation.
She was very thorough and it was actually over in no time at all. One thorough application of aloe gel later and i was done !
I was examined by the head practitioner and she was pleased with the results. Again, although this time it was a little red which disapeared by the time i reached home, i was surprised how normal it looked.
Right now (a couple hours later) - it looks perfectly normal, from some angles you can see it is slightly swollen in areas, but im sure by the end of today they will be further reduced.
I've been advised to avoid any products, sun exposure, sweating etc for the next 48 hours and to use a pure aloe gel and most importantly to cover up the area with a SPF50 sun lotion everyday while im having the treatments. This will help to keep an even complextion. Btw, fwiw, i was told to shave the area before the treatment and that shaving was ok following a good week or so of recovery. I will probably use a clipper anyway.
My next treatment is in a months time !
Sorry if this was a bit long winded, but i thought that some of the titbits may help somebody somewhere..
I'll also try to get some photos up a bit later, although i don't have a 'before' pic.
Anyway, i really enjoyed the experience and im now feeling really good about finally getting rid of it all.
Good luck out there