October 9, 2008 9:02 PM BST
Bonsoir Renee,
I don't know about the various Laser/pulsed light techniques but,from experience, I can say that needle epilation causes the treated area of the face to swell up and this swelling may take a day or two to disappear. If I had a midweek epilation session I sometimes had to fend off very concerned questions at work the next day. "Had I got some sort of infection in my jaw? Had I been hit? etc etc. arranging treatment for Fridays after work is to be recommended so that the weekend can be used for recovery,if necessary.
Ciao
Lynn H.
October 6, 2008 3:49 AM BST
Hi Girls-
As someone who has had a bit of both, I thought I might chime in. For laser treatment you don't really need to have much outgrowth of your beard for it to work. As Marsha Ann mentioned, the heat developed by the laser sort of travels down the follicle and kills the root, however the hairs that have been killed may protrude and fall out over a period of 24-48 hours. You are not supposed to pull them out but let them sort of fall on their own. Like apples or something.
For electrolysis you do need to have some growth so they can be tweezed out individually once they have been shocked into submission. Either one is fairly expensive and requires repeat visits and followups. I have had my mustache area (which was the most noticeable) gone over rather extensively and would like to do more on the rest of my face but have quit, at least temporarily, due to monetary considerations.
Hugs...Joni Marie
October 6, 2008 8:40 AM BST
Hi Renee, I will just throw in my two cents here as well if you don't mind. Yes, laser will reduce the facial hair and it is better if you are clean shaven when you go in.
Despite what you might hear as well, the newer lasers will work on grey and blond hair as well.
Electrolysis needs some hair, my clinic suggests that I have at least 1mm of growth.
Whatever method your friend chose, noone would notice since both methods are a slow process that require a couple of years and so it is a gradual process which nobody would notice.
Nikki
October 6, 2008 1:15 PM BST
It may well depend on where you go Andrea, as you say, go and speak to them. A good operator will know what to target though even with a clean shaven face.
Good luck.
Nikki
October 8, 2008 2:59 PM BST
In the UK you can check whether or not a clinic is a member of the British Institue and Association of Electrolysis (BIAE). They offer training to diploma level so you should be safer using one of those.
I can't say whether the same is true for France though. Sorry.
Nikki
October 10, 2008 9:36 AM BST
My sessions have all been scheduled for first thing in the moring on a weekend because of course they need some hair to work with, and who wants to go and and be seen with stubble???!!!?! As you say Lynn, you also then have the weekend to let the face heal a little too.
Nikki
