Laser Hair Removal
Berkeley Parents Network >
Advice >
Beauty & Fitness >
Hair Removal > Laser Hair Removal
March 2006
Hi- I am a woman in my mid-30s and would like to get the facial hair above my
lip removed permanently and wondered if anyone can provide me with good
recommendations for this- probably a laser hair removal place?. Cost is an
issue for me as well and I'd love to hear about your experience with the person
you send me info. about. Also I have a patch of little mole-like tissue which
looks to most people like acne but is not- I have had it since I was a child and
would finally like to get it removed. Is this what laser resurfacing is for? What
exactly IS laser resurfacing and is it painful? I'd love recommendations on this
as well! Thank you so much BPN friends. Kathryn
Try contacting Myrna Taiariol, at Tribez Salon. She's been
doing skin care for years and is deeply knowledgable about all
matters dealing with skin. Her number in Danville is (925)212-
3150. Please don't be put off by the distance. She's worth
every minute of your trip!
Julie
I've been getting laser hair removal on my face at Aura Skin
Care (they're in the phone book). They are on San Pablo avenue
in Albany in that big medical building before the plaza(west
side of street).
The woman I see is Deirdre but there are others who do it too.
I've been extremeley satisfied. I have an olive complexion with
dark hair. My upperlip and chin hair have plagued me most of my
adult life. I've done electrolysis (too painful and time
consuiming) and bleaching over the years.
I''ve had 4 sessions so far. I paid for 6 in advance to get a
discount. It takes 4-6 sessions to do a complete job.
It's not cheap, but cheaper than it used to be. It's $150.00 per
session at Aura. It was worth it to me to get this taken care
of. I LOVE not seeing dark hair on my uper lip and chin (and
cheeks).
Go for it!!
happy to have hairless face
For laser hair removal, I recommend The Laser Center of Marin
in Corte Madera. I have done my face, legs and bikini and have
had great results. The prices are competitive, the staff is
great and the facility is very clean (pet peeve). Check out
their website at www.marinlaser.com. They also do a lot of
other services including Restylane, skin tightening and
chemical peels. I have had treatments at another facility
before and had a bad experience. I suggest you visit the clinic
and make sure you are comfortable before committing to a
treatment package. Also, stay away from the chain clinics like
Sona. I had a friend that got screwed when the clinic she was
going to (Sona in SF) went out of business without warning.
Taylor
I am a big fan of Dr. Christine Brozowski's office in Berkeley,
where she performs laser hair removal/photofacials and
microdermabrasion herself. I feel safer seeing a physician for
this, than going to a spa or laser center. I found out about her
because she was featured on the Channel 7 news sometime ago.
I've also found her staff to be really excellent and knowledgeable.
April 2006
Has any one tried Laser hair removal or any other cosmetic
services at Kaiser San Francisco? Let me know how your
experience was . Thanks
Tia
I've been to a few laser centers and Kaiser was my first. They
charge by the pulse which sounded good, but it turned out to
much more expensive than going to one of the laser centers.
Also, the doctor that did the procedure did not seem real
comfortable with the laser and, after talking to him, realized
doesn't do that many procedures. The treatment ended up not
being that effective. Now after having treatments with an RN, I
would choose an experienced RN over a non-experienced physician
in a heartbeat.
Taylor
Kaiser is discontinuing its laser hair removal program.
So I've started seeing Dr. Christine Brozowski in Berkeley, which
is going very well. Her office is lovely, and staff are very
nice and helpful. Best, ofcourse, it's working!
Kaiser has a very good center for these treatments. Good prep and
education. Good staff. The laser hair removal process has
improved over the last three years, but keep in mind several
facts. Several treatments will be necessary, and the elective
min. charge is quite high ($500.) for even a small area. They
may allow you to combine several areas to meet the minimum. In
addition, light hair will not be affected! If you have a
combination hair color, light and dark hairs, for removal,
current lasers will only affect dark/darker color, leaving the
light hairs intact. It takes six weeks between treatments, and
you have to be treated with the hair to be removed at 1/4 ''
length. For dark haired men or women, this is quite effective.
For fair haired individuals, not as effective and more expensive,
due to even more multiple treatments. Plan to go when you don't
have to socialize prior to treatment for a week, as you have to
let hair grow out.
Fair haired
July 2005
I'm very interested in getting my facial hair treated with
laser. I have semi-dark skin, and I have hair practically all
over my face. Does anyone know if all the facial areas can be
treated with laser? Any recommendations for a good place? Has
anyone tried Aura Skin on San Pablo for hair removal? Any ideas
what it might cost me? Thanks a lot.
Toni
I highly recommend Advance Laser Clinics on 2397 Shattuck Ave.
486-1460.
My husband is having his back done, 2 sections so far they
recommended 6 for him.
It is looking great, he gets red for maybe 24h.
After that you can't tell it was done except for less hair.
Hairless husband
I would only trust a doctor to remove facial hair, so you
should find out who does the hair removal there first. It is
your face, and lasers are serious equipment. I have been
seeing Dr. Brozowski in Berkeley, and am VERY pleased. I
haven't had any problems/side effects, although I know some
others who have gone to a 'spa' and have had. Personally, I
think you get what you pay for.
May 2005
I am interested in having my bikini line hair permanently
removed using laser treatments. The last recommendation I found
on this subject was more than a year ago. I live in Oakland
and would be willing to go to Berkeley for the service. Anyone
have a good recommendation?
hoping to be hairless down there
I know you said you were looking for somewhere in Oakland or
Berkeley, but I found a place in SF that is way cheaper than any
of the places I called in the East Bay. Aesthetic Laser
Concepts, 450 Sutter (Suite 2433) @ Powell, 415 956-0111. You
can pay extra to get anesthetic cream that you apply about an
hour before the lasering; I definitely recommend doing that
unless you have high pain tolerance.
Hair today, gone tomorrow
Hi! I've been going to The Laser Center of Marin -
http://www.marinlaser.com/. Their prices are very reasonable,
the procedure is done by an RN, the office is quiet and clean.
If you have any questions about the procedure feel free to
contact me.
Hairless and loving it!
ritter
I have been going to Advanced Laser Clinics. They are a
franchise opperation and their prices are resonable and they use
the newest laser technology. THey just opened an office in
Berkeley, but I've been going to Sausalito (which I'd recommend
just because the atmosphere there is like a spa!). Go to the
website www.advancedlasercinics.com and then click locations and
search for Berkeley. Beware: It HURTS! Get some numbing cream
and take a vicodin before you go.
Rebecca
The office of Elizabeth Lee, MD, is the best place you can go in
the East Bay for laser hair removal. Her office number is
704-2170. Everyone I know who has gone to her has had a very
positive experience.
Maureen
I recently went to a new laser hair removal salon in SF, called
Sona MedSpa. I did the first treatment (in what will probably be
5-6 treatments) for bikini and underarm. Thought it's too early
to tell you the final results, I was very happy with this initial
visit. They are extremely professional, informative and pleasant.
I was a little nervous because of previous pain-managment issues
with electrolysis. This was MUCH better and will ultimately
happen much more quickly. Already, one treatment has made a
difference.
SonaMedSpa is at 415-986-9100 and you can check them out on the
Web at www.SonaMedSpa.com/SanFrancisco.
Hirsute No More
Feb 2004
I am interested in having my bikini line hair permanently
removed preferrably through laser hair removal rather than
electrolysis. Right now I have to have it waxed often, leaving
me with ingrown hairs, not to mention the pain of the waxing
itself. I'm wondering if anyone out there has had this done (I'd
like to hear about results), and if anyone can recommend a good
place to have it done. Any information would be very helpful...
thanks
FYI, it may take more than one session. but after that, it is
permanent. i do not have a recommendation about where to go
however.
anon
I had laser hair removal done a year ago, and would do it again
in a minute! The results are amazing: my skin in smooth and
hair free, and I've had no regrowth. Now I go swimming or on
vacation and don't even think about it. I'm so glad the hassle
of waxing, ingrown hairs and regrowth are over. I honestly wish
I had done it years ago, but the technology was not very good
until recently. For me, it took five treatments to get get all
the hair, which, while not cheap, was certainly less expensive
than a lifetime of waxing or shaving. It's also a LOT cheaper
than electrolysis, which takes forever and is painful. The
laser can be uncomfortable, but hurts less than waxing, and you
have the option to use a numbing cream if you want.
I do recommend that you get a physician to do this for you,
however, as you can get burning/scarring if done improperly. I
recommend Dr. Brozowski's office in Berkeley. Her number is 549-
3333 and web www.doctoragogo.com. Good luck!
happily hairless
Well this is a timely process. It takes about a year of sessions
to completely remove the hairs (i.e. chin). However, the bikini
line may take longer because of the coverage area.
Try Laser Hair Removal instead! It's more effective, less
painful and much less expensive in the long run. In the Elmwood
area, you can try Dr. Brozowski's office at 510-549-3333. Her
website is www.doctoragogo.com
anne p.
Kathryn Carron at
Avenue Electrolysis ~ is highly recommended
4331 Piedmont avenue 94611
510.658.1010
www.avenue-electrolysis.com
Blossom
Re: Electrolysis in Elmwood (Jan 2004)
Try Laser Hair Removal instead! It's more effective, less
painful and much less expensive in the long run. In the Elmwood
area, you can try Dr. Brozowski's office at 510-549-3333. Her
website is www.doctoragogo.com
anne p.
Oct 2004
I am a light-skinned African-American person who is considering
laser hair removal. Years ago, I read that dark-skinned people
were bad candidates for laser hair removal because of the
increased risk of scarring. Are there any darker skinned people
who've had laser hair removal that can tell me if it did or
didn't work for them? Where did you go?
Tired of the hair war
Hi,
I don't have dark skin but have had extensive laser hair
treatment on my bikini line and underarms. I had this done at
the doctor's office. Just wanted to let you know that it is
quite painful (like a rubber band snapping on your skin) and
requires 3-6 sessions to be effective. The doctor warned me
that since I tan pretty easily, it is possible to get some dark
pigmentation/scarring. I got a few marks that were darkish but
have faded away with bleaching cream and time over the past few
years. I now am not hairless in these areas but do have very
thin, sparse hair that is really easy to shave and/or wax. I
probably need a couple more sessions but it is costly and I'm
pretty satisfied with what I have for now. Also, I don't want
to deal w/ any more discoloration.
So, after babbling on, my recommendation would be to see a
really good dermatologist and discuss it with them. Maybe do a
test patch in a discrete area. I now go to
Dr. Katie Rodan in
Oakland. She is the co-creator of Proactiv Solution and is an
EXCELLENT doctor. I highly recommend that you go to a doctor w/
a good reputation. Hope this helps. Feel free to email me with
any questions.
jackiez
I am a carmel complexed african american & I have had laser
removal on my bikini area. I had a great response to the laser.
It worked well & now my bikini area is as soft as a baby's
bottom. I went to Dr June Engle. Her number is 925-284-3764. She
just moved so I don't know if that number is the same, but her
new address is 3799 Mount Diablo Blvd, in Lafayette. She uses a
new laser machine that I have yet to experience, but I know for
a fact that the old one worked, so I'm sure the newer does
too....new & improved. The process was a year, I went once a
month, it cost about $500 each time, but it was truly worth it
because I was real hairy. There is some scaring after the
procedure for a few days, but it does fade away. If you have any
more questions feel free to email me.
http://www.lasersolutionsmd.com/
Shelly
I think in the past lasers did not work as well on darker skin,
and the older lasers only treated lighter skin. There are newer
lasers that treat all skin types, but you must be sure to find a
physician that has this type of machine (and fyi, that's NOT
what they have at UCSF). I saw Dr. Christine Brozowski, an
excellent cosmetic dermatologist in Berkeley, and I've had
really great results. What was immediately noticeable was the
reduction in ingrown hairs. People with darker skin often have
coaser hair (like moi), which result in hideous ingrowns and
even caused me to have acne. If you're nervous about it, you
can always do a test spot and make sure you have no
discoloration. I'm a complete convert to laser and can't
believe I ever did anything else. I'm planning to do my legs
next!
won the hair war
Laser hair removal can cause hyperpigmentation or darkening of
the skin in treated areas, particularly in darker skinned
people. A new laser called the Gentle YAG has been developed
just for this problem. This laser is much kinder to dark skin
than the Alexandrite laser, and pigmentation problems after
treatment are much less common. In my practice, I also pretreat
patients who are darker skinned with Hydroquinone which helps
prevent hyperpigmentation caused by the irritation of the laser.
It is important to know that different types of skin problems
are handled best by specific types of lasers. However, lasers
are expensive and many offices and spas try to purchase a laser
that is versatile and can treat many conditions. These lasers
often treat none of these conditions well. It is therefore
important to make sure that you are getting treatment where the
Gentle-YAG is available to minimize your risk of
hyperpigmentation.
We are providing hair removal services in my office, and bring
in the specific laser required to treat a specific condition.
We work with the Gentle YAG. Please feel free to call the
office for more information.
510 704-2170
Elizabeth Lee, M.D.
I also have dark skin so when I went of a few clinics in San
Francisco they told me laser hair removal would not be very
effective. Then I went to Dr. Usha Rajagopal at 490 Post St.
(suite 430) in San Francisco.
The doctor is east-indian herself, so she specializes in hair
removal for dark skin types. I found out that there is a special
type of laser called a Lyra laser that works on dark skin types -
and that only a few doctors in the area have that type of laser.
My experience was great - her staff were all very caring and
knowledgable, and they were open evenings and weekends. I ended
up having laser hair removal on my chin, lip and underarms and it
only took me 8 treatments. I've had a little bit of growth on my
upper lip - but I just go back once every 3 or 4 months and get
it zapped again. It's been 3 years and I am so satisfied.
Anyways, you should check out Dr. Rajagopal's website - it
explains the laser proccess better than I can. Its
http://www.sfcosmeticsurgery.com/procedures/laserprocedures/laserhairremoval.htm
Also, they're phone number is (415) 392-3333. They are right by
union square so it's very easy to get to - you can take the Muni
to Powell St. Station and just walk up Powell to post.
Good luck!
Kristiane
Sept 2004
Does anybody have a recommendation for laser hair removal in Berkely/ North
Berkeley area. I used to go over to the city, but don't have the time anymore.
Thanks
We will be providing laser hair removal services in my office in
Berkeley starting next month. Please feel free to call for more
information. 510 704-2170.
Thank you for your interest
Elizabeth Lee, M.D.
April 2004
I'm in my second year of electrolysis for hair removal on my
chin. I have some hairs on my upper lip area but understand that
electrolysis in that area is extremely painful. I wondered if
anyone has had a good experience with laser hair removal on the
face. Is it painful? I'm concerned about scarring as well.
Please let me know if you have someone to refer me to.
thanks
Lauren
I've had electrolysis on my upper lip and laser hair removal on
my legs. I think they are about equally painful. Both are
bearable if you use anesthetic cream (e.g. Emla) first. Apply to
upper lip about 20 min before treatment; to legs about an hour
before.
Electrolysis is a better choice if you have scattered dark hairs.
Laser hair removal is appropriate if you want an area completely
bald. You have to shave the area before laser treatment--I
wouldn't want to shave my upper lip; I just want to get rid of
the scattered dark hairs. Also, laser hair removal is more
expensive--about $200-$250/hr vs. ~$60/hr for electrolysis.
If you are interested in laser hair removal, I've used the place
in SF at 450 Sutter (Suite 2433) @ Powell, 888 846-5273.
Getting less hairy
I too tried electrolosys for very unfortunate hair on
chin/neck. Hated it! painful and slow. I am currently
undergoing laser treatment with Dr. Christine Brozowski in
Berkeley -- it is not as painful and the doc tells me I will
probably be done in three sessions. Not cheap though, but
worth it for a feminine neck.
hopefully hairless soon
February 2003
I am chagrined to say, that I am growing dark hair on the fair
skin of my chin and neck (ICK!)
I understand that I am a good candidate for laser hair
removal. I would love recommendations for good, reputable
practitioners (doctors okay, too). I figure that the high up-
front cost of this will more than make up for the mental
anguish and expense of the other chronic, long-term solutions.
(I am an experienced patron of waxing and other services, so no
need to provide insight there).
Thanks.
hairy and hating it
I went to the office of Dr. Rajagopal in San Francisco (415
392-3333), with reasonably good results. I now have just
peach fuzz on my upper lip, though I also developed some
slightly increased pigmentation with resulting darkened
patches in the treatment area. I am olive-skinned to begin
with, which I think may have made me more susceptible to
that: if you are fair-skinned, it may not be such a risk for you,
but it's a good idea to ask about it.
Dr. R is a plastic surgeon and she met me for the initial
consult, but the treatments were performed by staff
technicians, who are aestheticians of varying skill and
experience. I was happiest with Eunice, who was very
gentle and knowledgeable. One of the techs was rather
trigger-happy - apparently she ''zapped'' herself with the
thing whenever she saw the slightest shadow of unwanted
hair - and urged me to use higher potency levels to get the
quickest results. I was eager to rid myself of the upper lip
hair, but reluctant to go too fast, so I did not take her advice.
That may be why I ended up taking twice as many sessions
as I was initially told I'd need, but then the doctor did not tell
me there was flexibility around how strong the treatments
would be. I'd ask about that as well: who decides on the
potency-setting of the laser? I think the MD shoul be
involved.
I know of another SF MD named Kulyk, who performs the
laser removal himself. A friend of mine with an especially
stubborn problem went to him, and was impressed at first
with the methodical approach, before and after pictures, and
the fact that he does not delegate to techs, but when he
insensitively joked to her that she was a ''hairy beast,'' she'd
had enough!
I wish I could rave about someone but all I have to offer is
my experience with these two. Since I never had the
patience or pain-threshhold for electrolysis, I was really glad
when this technology came along. It's not perfect, but for me
it was really worth it and I'm happy I did it. If I need more I'll
go back to Eunice at Dr. R's office. I hope this is helpful.
Good luck.
anon
I tried laser hair removal to remove the hair on the nape of my
neck. Two very expensive treatments (one followed up by the
recommended waxing which was said to guarantee success)resulted
in no long term improvement. This may just be a tough area to
treat. However, when I'm ready to address this again, I'll be
using the much more time consuming but predictable method of
electrolysis. (At the prices I paid, I'm betting the two
treatments will be of an equivalent cost in the end.)
Good luck.
Anon
Jan. 2002
Can anyone give me feedback on laser hair removal? I'm considering this
procedure, but don't know where to start. How effective is it? How long does
it typically last, and are there any specific doctors you would or would not
recommend? Thanks
I recently had my bikini line and underarms done. It does hurt a bit but it
is tolerable. It feels like a rubber band snapping on your skin but you can
ease the pain by icing the area before its done(cold coke cans applied to
the area!!).
From what I understand you need to have it done 2-3 times before never
shaving again. I was told that hair grows in stages so one time won't work.
I have some hair growing back (since I have only had one appt) but it is
definitely less. I think it's not cheap ( a few hundred dollars each time)
but probably not horrible if you add up the waxing prices over the rest of
your life!!! My father-in -law is a Dr. out of state and did it for me -so
sorry I can't recommend anyone.
anon.
I had my bikini line done at UCSF Laser Center, (415)353-7878, and
highly recommend them. To ease the pain they recommend to apply topical
cream ELA-MAX with lidocaine 1 to 2 hours before the procedure and it
does not hurt. One time I was not careful in applying the cream and the
difference was enormous. I got this recommendation from my
dermatologist, who told me that they have top quality equipment. Personaly,
I cannot compare them with other centers since they are the first and
last for me so far, but the nurses and doctors I met were all very nice
and professional.
Home |
Reviews |
Advice |
Members |
Post a Message
Join BPN |
Help |
What's New |
Search |
Contact Us
Last updated: Aug 1, 2007
Copyright © 1996-2008 Berkeley Parents Network
The opinions and statements expressed on this website
are those of parents who subscribe to the
Berkeley Parents Network. Please see
Disclaimer & Usage for
information about using content on this website.