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I'm seriously considering getting my beard permanently removed via laser hair removal. It's getting affordable, and not having to shave every day, or every oth

I'm seriously considering getting my beard permanently removed via laser hair removal. It's getting affordable, and not having to shave every day, or every other day, seems like a luxury I might now pay for. I'm thinking of asking for next birthday and Christmas getting the cost covered. ADDED IN EDIT: I personally don't like having a beard. Been there, done that, don't like it. Also, my wife would be 100% happy with me being (effectively) clean shaven all the time. Stubble is much less welcome. Unfortunately I've started to get grey patches, and laser removal is less effective on grey hair. So just as I'm getting to the point where I could afford it, I'm developing the characteristics that make it less plausible/possible. Typical.

chasingsparks 16y ago
Link? I was under the impression that men could not have laser facial hair removal because the thick, coarse hair would scar under the high energy of the laser. (Although, I'm not sure I would do it anyway. Having facial hair as an older man seems like it would be a rite of passage.)
- Qz 16y ago
  Laser still works on male facial hair. I've considered it myself to the point of getting a consultation and there aren't any problems. The thing with laser is that it's technically (according to the FDA) laser hair reduction. When you zap the hair with the laser, it doesn't necessarily kill the follicle, but it does make the hair grow back thinner. Repeated treatments make the hair grow back thinner and thinner and eventually it does stop growing. But it can also later start growing back, so you tend to have to go back for 'touch up' appointments, even after the majority of the zapping is complete.
- dmm 16y ago
  Speaking of old men with beards, I've always loved this portrait of Darwin: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Charles_Darwin_by_Julia_Margaret_Cameron_2.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Charles_Darwin_by_Julia_Ma... There is just something about his huge beard and the way he stares off into the distance. This is also a good one: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Charles_Robert_Darwin_by_John_Collier.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Charles_Robert_Darwin_by_J... But don't wait until you're old to try a beard! Grow it for six weeks, see if you like it!
city41 16y ago
I've considered this in the past as well. But every girl I've ever dated has really disliked the idea. A little stubble on a Saturday is a great thing in most women's eyes.
- roel_v 16y ago
  My girlfriend would be delighted if I'd have a 100% smooth face 100% of the time. At the risk of way TMI, I'd say that 'certain' Saturday activities are smoother with a clean shave than with stubble. I recently started thinking about the laser removal again too, I considered it a few years ago but I was warned by a beautician that it may make one's face look less 'full'; apparently the hair roots have enough volume to be noticeable when they're removed. But by now I've gained some weight so I could stand to loose some 'fullness' I guess ;)
jsdalton 16y ago
Just grow a beard dude. It requires serious maintenance only once a week.
akkartik 16y ago
For five years my hack has been to cycle from cleanly shaved to bearded every week. Or three.
ciupicri 16y ago
What about depilatory cream? It's true that the instructions say not to use it on your face, but I still wonder what can happen and how effective it is.
- coryrc 16y ago
  Unless you have really fine hair (in which shaving is probably not a problem), the cream is so corrosive it burns your skin before it burns the hair away. Plus it takes a really long time.
  - ciupicri 16y ago
    By the way, the instructions also mention to let it for 5-8 minutes or in extreme cases for 11 so the time shouldn't be so long. Shaving takes at least 30 minutes for me.

chasingsparks 16y ago

Link? I was under the impression that men could not have laser facial hair removal because the thick, coarse hair would scar under the high energy of the laser. (Although, I'm not sure I would do it anyway. Having facial hair as an older man seems like it would be a rite of passage.)

Qz 16y ago
Laser still works on male facial hair. I've considered it myself to the point of getting a consultation and there aren't any problems. The thing with laser is that it's technically (according to the FDA) laser hair reduction. When you zap the hair with the laser, it doesn't necessarily kill the follicle, but it does make the hair grow back thinner. Repeated treatments make the hair grow back thinner and thinner and eventually it does stop growing. But it can also later start growing back, so you tend to have to go back for 'touch up' appointments, even after the majority of the zapping is complete.
dmm 16y ago
Speaking of old men with beards, I've always loved this portrait of Darwin: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Charles_Darwin_by_Julia_Margaret_Cameron_2.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Charles_Darwin_by_Julia_Ma... There is just something about his huge beard and the way he stares off into the distance. This is also a good one: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Charles_Robert_Darwin_by_John_Collier.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Charles_Robert_Darwin_by_J... But don't wait until you're old to try a beard! Grow it for six weeks, see if you like it!

city41 16y ago

I've considered this in the past as well. But every girl I've ever dated has really disliked the idea. A little stubble on a Saturday is a great thing in most women's eyes.

roel_v 16y ago
My girlfriend would be delighted if I'd have a 100% smooth face 100% of the time. At the risk of way TMI, I'd say that 'certain' Saturday activities are smoother with a clean shave than with stubble. I recently started thinking about the laser removal again too, I considered it a few years ago but I was warned by a beautician that it may make one's face look less 'full'; apparently the hair roots have enough volume to be noticeable when they're removed. But by now I've gained some weight so I could stand to loose some 'fullness' I guess ;)

jsdalton 16y ago

Just grow a beard dude. It requires serious maintenance only once a week.

akkartik 16y ago

For five years my hack has been to cycle from cleanly shaved to bearded every week. Or three.

ciupicri 16y ago

What about depilatory cream? It's true that the instructions say not to use it on your face, but I still wonder what can happen and how effective it is.

coryrc 16y ago
Unless you have really fine hair (in which shaving is probably not a problem), the cream is so corrosive it burns your skin before it burns the hair away. Plus it takes a really long time.
- ciupicri 16y ago
  By the way, the instructions also mention to let it for 5-8 minutes or in extreme cases for 11 so the time shouldn't be so long. Shaving takes at least 30 minutes for me.