My Review on Laser Hair Removal Clinics in Manila

In my quest to end my hairy monkey days, I scouted the best clinics in Metro Manila to have my laser hair removal sessions. I ended up trying out 3 different clinics. Here is my honest (personal) take on these clinics. Don't hesitate to comment! 

-Lots of love, SunnyB ;)

LASER HAIR REMOVAL CLINIC REVIEWS

• Shinagawa clinic, Makati: This is, hands down, the best clinic I've tried. Their staffs are very professional! The clinic is quite intimidating but the prices are really  affordable! laser hair removal for underarms cost 1,500/session and Lower legs cost 4,000/session. Always ask for discounts,DON'T BE SHY! They have all sorts of promos like buy 3 take 1 laser sessions or free laser genesis facials. They also have 0% installment for 6 months(which I availed)! What I LOVE about this clinic is their pre-screening. Their inhouse dermatologist will really take the time to assess your skin, explain the procedure and basically reduce your anxiety. YOU ARE IN GOOD HANDS. 
• I had 6 Underarm session and 5 lower leg sessions.
•  This is their FB page. **http://www.facebook.com/Shinagawa.Lasik.Aesthetics
• La Estetica Clinic, Ortigas: Sorry to say this but La Estetica is a below average clinic. It may look nice on the outside but service is bad. :/ I only went here because I bought promo laser hair removal vouchers online. It contrasts greatly with the service I got from Shinagawa. The staffs are indifferent (dedma) and they don't have pre-screening procedures. You basically walk in and have yourself lasered in less than 20 mins. I wasn't informed of how laser works or what to expect. The only thing the nurse who worked on me said was "mam, medyo masakit po ka, parang pitik ng rubberband)" and "wag basain ang area for 6 hours". Their machine is PAINFUL. It felt more like a light electrocution rather than a rubber band snap. TAKE NOTE: THIS WAS DONE ON MY BIKINI LINE.  Would I recommend this clinic to you? No. This is my honest opinion.  :/
• I had 2 bikini line sessions here
• this is their FB page **http://www.facebook.com/LaEsteticaDerma 
• Body Accents Clinic, Ortigas: I LOVE THEIR MACHINE! Their clinic isn't as pretty as the other two clinics mentioned above but it more than made up for it in customer service and the actual session. Their staffs are nice and friendly. What I love about their machine is it's ALMOST PAINLESS. Also, the tip  of their laser probe is wide( almost the size of a female's full thumb). This means it can cover a larger area with less shots and it takes only a few minutes. You can visit them at 1143 Citiland tower, ADB avenue. It's the blue bldng behind Robinsons galleria (ADB wing, The one with Fridays Resto. Do ask for their promo. You might get lucky! Ask for a package deal, they sell their laser hair removal session for 3,000 ,10 sessions! They used to post this promo online but now offer them in their clinic directly. If they hesitate, you might want to tell them your friend availed it and told you about it. They may change their minds ;)
• I had 1 underarm session and 8 brazilian sessions here ( or 16 laser hair removal session. 1 for my bikini line and 1 for my labia or female lips).
• PS. a full brazilian means you also get rid of hair on your female folds. It's a FULL job! a bikini line laser will only get rid of hair on the top and sides of your front V. Most clinics charge double or more for a full brazilian laser hair removal session. Ask your clinic about this first.

Personal Review on 7DAYS SLIMMING COFFEE

Okay, so I know the right way to lose weight is to eat right and exercise regularly. But hey, not all of us have the time (and the determination) to do those things. Hence, slimming powders, juices and, in this case, slimming coffee, is a fairly good (not to mention easy) solution. I hope it works! *fingers crossed! 

INFO ON 7DAY SLIMMING COFFEE (as written on the pamphlet) 

*PS. I'm copying the paper per word. All grammatical errors are not my doing :P

• About: 7 day coffee is a very effective slimming coffee and a very popular product, with no side effects and dependence. 7 days effective, scietific methods and ofter thin, easy, east a simple, short- term achievement of the perfect curve of dreams! 7 Days thin coffee taste is not only a good weight-loss drinks, a good helper is refreshing , ideal for those who stay up late working to lose weight. 
• Fashion drink:
• green health: drinking 7 days slimming coffee is like drinkig a good and fresh aroma cofee, it has no side effects.
• Deep Detox: Drinking 7 days slimming cofeee can fully rule out the intestinal abrosption of toxins, more than double the nimral detoxification products, while accelerating the speed of gastic persitalsis, thoroughly cleaning the body envirmonment.
• Maintain body shape: Drink 7 days daily, it less 40% of stored fats, can maintain good physical shape and gradually lose weight.
• Features: 

1. no need to control appetite, no diet, no diarrhea
2. mainly fats of the waist, legs, back and arms. Will not pose threat to the breast. 
3. will not rebound
4. beauty corrected
5. pure natural plant extracts, safe to ake, no side effects.

• Main ingredients: coffee and tea powder, garcinia cambogia (HCA), fruits and vegtable fiber, minerals and vitamins
• shelf life: 2 years. 
• applicable persons: Obesity post partum obesity, adolescence obesity and the need to keep slim. Applicable to stubborn obesity and repeated ineffective weight loss. 
• Size: 12 packets x 10g
• Usage and Indication: Drink a pack once daily before breakfast, drink more water for optimal results

MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH 

7DAYS SLIMMING COFFEE

* Do know that the body reacts differently from person to person. I'm a moderately fit 20 something lady. I weight around 118lbs, 5'2 tall.
*As a person with a medical background, I feel that most slimming juices are APPETITE AND THIRST SUPPRESSANTS as well as STIMULANTS. I would advice you to drink plenty of water (at least 2 liters) to keep your cells and skin hydrated. Also, try not to skip meals. It will slow your metabolism down. Since it's a stimulant, take it only when you need to stay up. If you're a call center agent, drink it before your shift starts :) and PLEASE, if you're pregnant or suspecting that you are or if you're lactating, ask your doctor about it. :/


Day 1: April 2, 2012

I poured 1 sachet of coffee in hot water. The taste is OKAY, I guess. It looks a little pale. I added half a teaspoon of kopiko (brand) coffee to give it color and extra taste. I notice though that after the first 10 minutes of drinking, my tongue and mouth felt very dry. I've drunk like a liter of water in the last hour or so. I've also peed 3-5x in the first hour. My mouth still feels dry though. :/


Day 2: April 3, 2012


In the AM: I can't believe how strong this coffee is! It kept me up the whole day! literally 26 hours. There are no headaches or other discomforts.  Aside from peeing a lot on the first 6 hours, I felt my tummy slim down but I'm not really sure (maybe wishful thinking on my part).
In the PM: I can't tell you how happy I am to finally experience Drowsiness! I slept 8pm... but then I woke up at 1am. My sleep seems to be shallow and short. I also woke up feeling gassy. oh, and my mouth still feels dry. It's been 23 hours since I drank my first slimming coffee. 
.... followup... at 3am,  I realized I wasn't just gassy, I had a mild LBM. Hindi naman explosive or grabe ung abdominal cramps though. The stool consistency was semi solid unlike ung mga diet chinese teas na maiyak ka sa cramps. 


Day 3: April 4, 2012
*I skipped coffee today to give my body time to adjust and rehydrate. 


Day 4: April 5, 2012
I realized that the coffee helped me regulate my bowel movement. Okay i think siya for people who are constipated. Of course, you'll have to drink lots of water too para hydrated cells and skin. 
I drank the coffee at 8am today. It's very important to drink it 30 MINS BEFORE meals. You can feel the effect better. Same lang side effects for me (dry mouth, sweating, frequent urination and low appetite). Make it a habit to much on a sandwich even if you're not hungry. SKIPPING MEALS IS A BAD IDEA. mag lag metabolism mo later on. 


Day 5: April 6, 2012
I skipped coffee again. Nakaka insomnia xa for me. :/


Day 6: April 7, 2012
I feel slimmer. Hubby and I haven't seen each other for a month due to work. He can't stop commenting on how much weight I've lost. I lost fats around my arms, upper chest near the neck, upper waist (below the boobs, and the front part of my tummy. I'll try to post pictures soon. 


So far, everything feels and sounds okay. I don't think I'm going to drink the rest of the coffee packets. I'm satisfied with my current weight. Any more weight lost would make me look and feel emaciated or haggard.


oh, and I think I'm going to make hubby drink the remaining coffee or I could let him try a different brand and flavor of slimming drinks. I'm eyeing Leisure18 slimming chocolate drink since hubby is partial to milo. lol. I'll let you know how it goes. :)


CONCLUSION:  April ?, 2012.....(to be cont'd in a week)

How laser hair removal works

Are you thinking about getting your unwanted hairs off permanently? the fastest and easiest way to acheive that is with laser. 

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Laser works to target dark pigments. This is why laser hair removal is ideal for people with light skin and dark hair roots. The laser will pass through your light skin and target only your dark hair root. Never pluck, thread or wax your area at least 4 weeks prior to your laser hair removal session. The laser needs the dark roots to targets. 

Laser emits a small amount of radiation to destroy hair cells from dividing (growing) so it's not advisable that a pregnant or lactating mother try it. Laser will ONLY work to permanently kill your hair roots when your hair is at it's active growth stage (anagen Phase). There is no way for anybody to know which stage of growth your hair is in. That's probably why laser hair removal requires multiple sessions. After repeated laser exposures, you're bound to hit those tough hairs.

MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE:

Most people ask me how many sessions of laser hair removal is needed. Basing on my personal experience, my lower legs took me 7 sessions to achieve near hairless state, My underarms need 7-8 session and my full bikini (brazillian) took me 18(and counting) sessions. By the way, I have fair Asian skin with black hair (not so coarse).

**These are the things you'll need to know before, during and after laser hair removal:

BEFORE: Never pluck your hairs. Your nurse or doctor will need to asses your skin and hair first. You'll also need to ask your clinic how much it costs and if they have installments plans and discounts. Do know that laser sessions should be spaced at least 30 days. This will give your hair roots time to grow so your laser light has something to target.

DURING: Do expect some pain. I've tried 3 different clinics and I can tell you this--THE MACHINE THEY USE MATTERS..A LOT. Some machine works better than others like the Gentle Candela Yag laser used in Shinagawa Clinic, Makati.

Some machines hurt more than others. The only way to know which machines or clinics to go for would be to scout for reviews. Unfortunately, there aren't a lot of blogs and reviews about them here in the Philippines. Do click my link on LASER HAIR REMOVAL CLINIC REVIEWS to know more about my experience with them.

Before all else starts, you will have to wear protective eye wear. Your nurse will also have to prep you up by shaving your hairs. Some clinics apply a clear gel on your skin to prevent burns and accidents from the laser but that depends on the machine used. When the laser is turned on, expect a degree of pain. If you have low pain tolerance, take a painkiller pill around 20 minutes before you session. Don't wear deodorant and lotions on the skin you want lasered.

*I noticed that the more the laser stings, the more effective it is. Low frequency settings don't hurt much because there isn't much heat produced but not all the hairs fall off.

AFTER: Ask your nurse or dermatologist for anti-itch prescriptions.Your skin will turn red. It's also normal for your hair follicles to swell or form red dots. This is actually a good sign that the laser is hitting your hair roots. Try to avoid the sun for a while. You should also keep the area dry 4 to 8 hours post laser. Don't scratch if it's itchy! Apply the recommended  lotion, cream or take the anti- itch tablet as prescribed.

The cool part happens after 7-10 days. This is when your hair starts to fall. You can actually pluck them off without feeling anything. To remove the dead hair, use a cloth or loofa while in the shower.

MY BEFORE AND AFTER LASER HAIR REMOVAL PHOTOS:

(will update soon)

My daily maxipeel diary

I have clear unblemished skin. This is probably my best asset but lately, the skin on my face looks dull. I never tried peeling before. It was only around 2 weeks ago when I found myself interested in it. There are a number of things you should consider before peeling. I'm sharing my experience with you guys in the hopes of maybe being a help to someone. *Don't hesitate to comment! :)

Here is my personal experience with MaxiPeel. 

• DAY 1 
• AM:  I shopped for the following: 

• Maxi Peel solution 2 and 3
• cotton balls
• maxi peel sunblock. 
• maxi peel moisturizer
• PM:  I washed my face with warm water and a mild cetaphil facial wash. 
• I used maxipeel solution #3 (strongest) on my skin. The reason here is to help jumpstart the peeling phase. The box says to keep the wipes in upward motion. Do avoid rubbing the solution multiple times on the same area. You can get uneven peeling or skin burn. 
• I also included my neck (below my chin and all the way to the nape)
• After it the solution dried, I applied seseame oil (Neutrogena). I forgot to include the MaxiPeel moisturizer when I was out shopping. 

• DAY 2: same procedure/ no noticeable effect.

• DAY 3: Same procedure/ My cheeks were red and a bit sore. There is also mild peeling on my nose. 

• DAY 4: Same procedure/ I regretted applying Maxipeel on my sore cheeks. I guess if you feel your skin tender, you should give your skin a break and skip the Maxipeel for 1-2 days. 

• DAY 5: Skipped Maxipeel solution on the red and sore spots but applied MaxiPeel solution #2 on areas that haven't peel yet. I also applied lots of moisturizer and sunblock. USE ONLY MAXI PEEL MOISTURIZER/ SUNBLOCK. Using other brands, even the very mild ones will make your skin BURN. Mahapdi kasi I think merong alcohol or chemical xa na matapang. Remember, very sensitive pa skin mo nito.
• Peeling is also very visible today. I read somewhere that you should wash your face with warm water and rub your skin gently with a soft towel in circular motion to remove the dead skin. I tried this and it works. Just avoid overdoing it. It will do you more harm than good...trust me..

• DAY6: Skipped maxipeel solution. My face is still sore. I'm beginning to have regrets. :( But I have always been an optimist. I feel that it's going to be better in 3-5 days:)

• DAY 7: Skipped maxipeel solution. I don't think I have to anymore. The only part that hasn't peeled yet is at my nape area. My skin isn't as red as it was this morning through. It's also not as scaly, dry, leathery and sore. 

• DAY 8: My neck started peeling. I made the mistake of rubbing the dead skin too much and peeling it manually. My neck is also itchy :( .I scratched it an I made several scratch  marks on my neck (as in sugat!). I had to apply concealer and makeup to hide the damage. The neck part seems to be the last to peel off. I think kasi mas makapal skin sa neck kesa sa face. Don't forget to moisturize and apply sunblock on your neck too!
• 2 weeks after first maxi peel use:

I've heard most people say maxi peel made them darker (or mas nakaka itim xa). This didn't happen to me at all. Basically, yes, umitim ako pero that was before and a few days after applying maxi peel. The skin was red and parang maitim because maxi peel prepares your skin to peel. After a week, I was back to my original skin color and tone. My skin feels a little smoother though. 

*(update!)- Recently, I've started using papaya kojic soap during the peeling stage. It burns and stings but I find the pain tolerable. It makes for faster peeling though. I have since use this soap to help with mild daily exfoliation. People have notice my skin to be a little more pinkish and translucent. Just don't skip out on the moisturizers because papaya kojic soap strips the skins' natural oils leaving you face dry and prone to wrinkles.

Would I recommend using maxi peel? 

Well... Yes and NO. It depends. If you're using maxi peel, make sure you know it takes 2 weeks to see results. Don't be quick to judge the product. Let your skin heal first before commenting. If you work indoors or if hindi ka maxado na aarawan, maxipeel is great! pero if you work outdoors in direct sunlight, good luck talaga. @_@ Apply lots of SPF and wear a baseball cap. You should even wear your cap even inside the jeepney just to be sure. It's better to be safe than sorry. :) I feel it works great on people who often have pimple breakouts and uneven skin tone. Just remember-- maxi peel should be used with caution. :)

Honestly, there are other peeling product out there to try. MaxiPeel is a bit extreme. If you just want to exfoliate or reduce mild pimples or to lighten your skin a bit without too much peeling, try to look at other products first. I'll try to post another peeling cream alternative soon. :)

Things to remember:

1. Avoid applying the astringent to areas that are already sore/ red. Give your skin a break. I noticed peeling hastens up if you skip 1-2 days from MaxiPeel.
2. Always moisturize! I'm serious about this. Go for the maxipeel moisturizer or something very mild. Anything strong will sting your face. 
3. Always wear sunblock and a hat. For me, I locked myself at home for a week. Lucky for me, I can take my job home with me. Never expose your skin to the sun. You seriously don't want to have uneven dark patches. 
4. Be patient. :) Don't rub, pull, pick or manipulate your skin. You'll only irritate your skin. 
5. DON'T use the strongest solution (#3) for longer than 3 days. Switch to a lower strength (#2 or #1) to avoid burns. 
6. PIMPLES do come out on the first week. I've read some call it purging (sign of the dirt/ toxins coming out of you system?). I'm not sure. Just don't prick the pimple. Let it dry out on their own. 
7. ITCHINESS... Yes, once you start peeling, you'll start feeling itchy. DON'T scratch! I suggest taking antihistamine or anti allergy medication during the day or before going to bed. Scratching it can lead to wounds that leave dark scar marks over time.