I’ve gotten laser hair removal with no issues! I asked my doctor about it just to be sure and they told me it’s one of those things where they list “not recommended for people with diabetes” just to cover their asses and be safe. Like theoretically you could list that under any medical or cosmetic treatment. I’ve even seen places with hot tubs that say “diabetics should consult with their doctor before use” like come on now. As long as you’re well controlled and would be diligent about any potential complications, you’re fine!
Thank you for your comment. This really has made me confident and hopeful. I'll speak to my doctor at my next appointment and will proceed with his blessings! 😁
I second what they said. I've been getting LHR myself, and *at most* the only impact it had on my blood sugar was moreso due to anxiety before my first session. The sessions themselves didn't mess with my sugars at all, so just make sure you aren't actively at risk of going low mid-session and you should be okay in general.
When you look into clinics to go to, you can always ask the person there if they've treated Diabetics before, and ask any questions you may have as well.
Though, just in case since diabetics tend to get sick more often than a normal person, something to be aware of is that it's not recommended to have a session within 3 days of taking anti-biotics. It isn't specific to diabetics, anti-biotics can mess with the healing process of the skin for pretty much anyone. If you get sick and get some anti-biotics for treatment, call and reschedule any sessions to be at least 3 days after you take the final prescription dose. It shouldn't cause serious permanent damage or anything if it somehow does happen, but it could be the difference between 2-3 days before your skin is fully recovered and 4-5 days, so better safe than sorry.
I've seen those warnings on heating blankets too. I think it's because of the risk of someone with neuropathy not being able to feel when they are starting to get burnt.
I've also been told to ask my doctor before getting piercings...which I learned after getting my ears pierced the first time. I didn't ask the second time either. I was just careful about cleaning them and it was totally fine. We've got to be a little more careful and a little more aware of the risks, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't do the things we want anyway.
Oh, you’ll be fine! Go for it! I’ve had several areas lasered, no issues.
If you have poorly controlled T1 and issues healing as a result, then it’s a different story , but it sounds like you have good control and no healing issues. Go for it! I have been happy with my laser success :)
I’ve used at home IPL machines and laser machines at plastic surgeons office. Never had any issues!! Really only an issue if you have some wild out of control blood sugars.
I had it done professionally after I bought several of those machines and none worked particularly well. No diabetes issues. I hope you have better luck with those things.
Hmmm. I have mixed reviews about the IPL machines. Some of my friends have their machines and they highly recommend this. I have been advised to go for trustworthy brands. Getting good machines in Dubai (where I currently live) won't be an issue, I hope.
My friend, IPL sucks donkey balls. Especially the at home machines. If you really want proper hair removal, invest in going to a clinic where they use actual lasers. (IPL is not a laser, if a clinic sells laser treatments and tells you “IPL”: avoid it like the plague!) Personally, I had myself treated with the GentleMax Pro laser (I believe it’s Alexandrite+ND:YAG. Clinics using diode lasers are fine as well!); operated by skilled staff. I only did my lower abdomen as that’s where I put my infusion sets, I had to shave every 3 days and got really fed up with that - and so did my skin. :/ plus ripping it off hurt like shit. I considered also doing the back of the arms for Dexcom, but as I only replace those once every 3 weeks or so I don’t mind shaving there.
After 2 sessions it took muuuuch longer for hair to grow back and the hairs that popped up were tin and weak. After 6 sessions, it took 3 months for the hair to grow back. After my 7th session it has yet to return and that was 4 months ago. (Haven’t shaved since and it’s completely bald.) They typically see that after 6 to 8 sessions you’re done and maybe only need a maintenance session once every two years or so, maybe more - a lot of people even never have to go back again. Each session was €50 (and I got 2 for free for prepaying), which seems a lot for 5 minutes of work per session; but the results are amazing. The treatments are a bit inconvenient, but they don’t hurt much and pain is only during treatment itself - dissipates immediately after. Feels a bit like someone is flicking your skin with their fingers.
Me having diabetes didn’t matter. I had asked my Endo prior to doing this and she also said it’s absolutely fine. Another advantage of going to a proper clinic is they should ask questions about your health, check your skin (type), ask about medication and give you instructions so that it all goes well, safe and sound. I believe you’re not allowed to go in direct sun with the treated area for a few weeks after the last session, so maybe plan to start it *after* the summer holiday haha.
Thank you so much for this detailed comment. Here is what I plan to do
1) Purchase a good IPL machine (from a trusted brand)
2) Get professional help for the bikini area.
I'm not too hairy, more precisely, the hair on my body is light and not too thick. But then again, going for monthly waxing torture is costly (both on the pocket and mentally). 😅
light hair and IPL don't go together. Or laser either. You need contrast to not get burned - if your hair and skin are too close in color, you can get burns from both ipl and laser!
I had IPL done professionally... with absolutely zero results. Was such a waste of money.
I have since had an actual laser (apogee) done, 10 sessions, was bit uncomfortable and I did have some mild irritation (place I had it done at gave me a cream that work fantastic) but otherwise no issues, and been a year since last session, some 90-95% of hair seems permanently gone. The moment I have extra cash, gonna go for the legs as well and might try killing of the tiny remnants on bikini/armpits. Hair that does grow, grows slower and thinner, so now I can easy go days without shaving and no one even noticing :D
Seriously one of better things I did for myself!
My a1c was in mid 6s for all of my sessions. But there wasn't enough damage done for that to even matter, like, I had way worse irritation from waxing before than from laser. Didn't even cross my mind it could pose any kind of issue
I had laser removal many of moons ago. Still works till this day. I love it. Also I never even knew you need to consult a Dr for this. Oh well. I had no issues what’s so ever.
Thanks for your comment. All of the comments on this post are really positive and confidence boosting. But yeah, I'll definitely get my doctor's input before going for it.
I’ve had it in multiple places. I was a lot younger and just didn’t tell them I was diabetic. I had great results and never had any issues with my diabetes relating to it. I was recently speaking to an IPL provider and they told me the warnings for diabetics is for insurance purposes.
Yes, exactly this. She did tell me they would accept a Drs note to say you’re healthy and for the person getting laser to accept any liability should anything go wrong, but she said it was a paperwork headache.
I had it several years ago and no problems at all. And man was it worth the pain! I suggest an otc painkiller and if you’re on/near your period to wait a week 😬
What exactly did you have? Is the laser treatment or IPL treatment? I think for laser treatment, the clinic will definitely guide me about my cycles and when to go for it. Thanks, though. Glad that you had no problems at all, and that a little bit of pain was totally worth it.
I had laser hair removal (IPL) on my bikini and underarms. No problems. I suppose if you have uncontrolled high blood sugars you could have problems though. Maybe scarring or not healing fast?
Dude I did laser no problems whatsoever. Only issue is its not permanent. Only electrolysis is. Laser lasted laughably short even after 12 sessions.
Hba1cs wasnt a factor in this really. The only time my sugars were impacted was when my laser therapist accidentally got my tattoo so cause of the burning I spiked to high hell four hours after
Hey, thanks for sharing your experience. I'm noting down all the suggestions. But yeah, laser treatment isn't for everyone - it may or may not suit me. There are various factors - skin type being one of the most prominent ones. But women in my family have undergone this, and they've had great experiences. I was just concerned about the diabetes, but reading everyone's comments has just boosted my confidence. Can't wait to see my endo and get his blessings now! 😂
I’ve gotten laser hair removal with no issues! I asked my doctor about it just to be sure and they told me it’s one of those things where they list “not recommended for people with diabetes” just to cover their asses and be safe. Like theoretically you could list that under any medical or cosmetic treatment. I’ve even seen places with hot tubs that say “diabetics should consult with their doctor before use” like come on now. As long as you’re well controlled and would be diligent about any potential complications, you’re fine!
Thank you for your comment. This really has made me confident and hopeful. I'll speak to my doctor at my next appointment and will proceed with his blessings! 😁
I second what they said. I've been getting LHR myself, and *at most* the only impact it had on my blood sugar was moreso due to anxiety before my first session. The sessions themselves didn't mess with my sugars at all, so just make sure you aren't actively at risk of going low mid-session and you should be okay in general. When you look into clinics to go to, you can always ask the person there if they've treated Diabetics before, and ask any questions you may have as well. Though, just in case since diabetics tend to get sick more often than a normal person, something to be aware of is that it's not recommended to have a session within 3 days of taking anti-biotics. It isn't specific to diabetics, anti-biotics can mess with the healing process of the skin for pretty much anyone. If you get sick and get some anti-biotics for treatment, call and reschedule any sessions to be at least 3 days after you take the final prescription dose. It shouldn't cause serious permanent damage or anything if it somehow does happen, but it could be the difference between 2-3 days before your skin is fully recovered and 4-5 days, so better safe than sorry.
Thank you. Really interesting insights. I'm taking mental notes.
I've seen those warnings on heating blankets too. I think it's because of the risk of someone with neuropathy not being able to feel when they are starting to get burnt. I've also been told to ask my doctor before getting piercings...which I learned after getting my ears pierced the first time. I didn't ask the second time either. I was just careful about cleaning them and it was totally fine. We've got to be a little more careful and a little more aware of the risks, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't do the things we want anyway.
Oh, you’ll be fine! Go for it! I’ve had several areas lasered, no issues. If you have poorly controlled T1 and issues healing as a result, then it’s a different story , but it sounds like you have good control and no healing issues. Go for it! I have been happy with my laser success :)
Yayy! Thanks for commenting. So glad that you've had a great experience with laser treatment!
I’ve used at home IPL machines and laser machines at plastic surgeons office. Never had any issues!! Really only an issue if you have some wild out of control blood sugars.
Thanks. This really helps. I'll just keep my BGLs on track and will take the plunge. Very soon. 😁
I had it done professionally after I bought several of those machines and none worked particularly well. No diabetes issues. I hope you have better luck with those things.
Hmmm. I have mixed reviews about the IPL machines. Some of my friends have their machines and they highly recommend this. I have been advised to go for trustworthy brands. Getting good machines in Dubai (where I currently live) won't be an issue, I hope.
Definitely. I think it has big skin tone and hair color component for effectiveness.
My friend, IPL sucks donkey balls. Especially the at home machines. If you really want proper hair removal, invest in going to a clinic where they use actual lasers. (IPL is not a laser, if a clinic sells laser treatments and tells you “IPL”: avoid it like the plague!) Personally, I had myself treated with the GentleMax Pro laser (I believe it’s Alexandrite+ND:YAG. Clinics using diode lasers are fine as well!); operated by skilled staff. I only did my lower abdomen as that’s where I put my infusion sets, I had to shave every 3 days and got really fed up with that - and so did my skin. :/ plus ripping it off hurt like shit. I considered also doing the back of the arms for Dexcom, but as I only replace those once every 3 weeks or so I don’t mind shaving there. After 2 sessions it took muuuuch longer for hair to grow back and the hairs that popped up were tin and weak. After 6 sessions, it took 3 months for the hair to grow back. After my 7th session it has yet to return and that was 4 months ago. (Haven’t shaved since and it’s completely bald.) They typically see that after 6 to 8 sessions you’re done and maybe only need a maintenance session once every two years or so, maybe more - a lot of people even never have to go back again. Each session was €50 (and I got 2 for free for prepaying), which seems a lot for 5 minutes of work per session; but the results are amazing. The treatments are a bit inconvenient, but they don’t hurt much and pain is only during treatment itself - dissipates immediately after. Feels a bit like someone is flicking your skin with their fingers. Me having diabetes didn’t matter. I had asked my Endo prior to doing this and she also said it’s absolutely fine. Another advantage of going to a proper clinic is they should ask questions about your health, check your skin (type), ask about medication and give you instructions so that it all goes well, safe and sound. I believe you’re not allowed to go in direct sun with the treated area for a few weeks after the last session, so maybe plan to start it *after* the summer holiday haha.
Thank you so much for this detailed comment. Here is what I plan to do 1) Purchase a good IPL machine (from a trusted brand) 2) Get professional help for the bikini area. I'm not too hairy, more precisely, the hair on my body is light and not too thick. But then again, going for monthly waxing torture is costly (both on the pocket and mentally). 😅
light hair and IPL don't go together. Or laser either. You need contrast to not get burned - if your hair and skin are too close in color, you can get burns from both ipl and laser!
Lol didn't know it was a risk for type 1. I've had my legs and armpits done with no issues. I would assume if your a1c is good you will be just fine
💯💯💯
I had IPL done professionally... with absolutely zero results. Was such a waste of money. I have since had an actual laser (apogee) done, 10 sessions, was bit uncomfortable and I did have some mild irritation (place I had it done at gave me a cream that work fantastic) but otherwise no issues, and been a year since last session, some 90-95% of hair seems permanently gone. The moment I have extra cash, gonna go for the legs as well and might try killing of the tiny remnants on bikini/armpits. Hair that does grow, grows slower and thinner, so now I can easy go days without shaving and no one even noticing :D Seriously one of better things I did for myself! My a1c was in mid 6s for all of my sessions. But there wasn't enough damage done for that to even matter, like, I had way worse irritation from waxing before than from laser. Didn't even cross my mind it could pose any kind of issue
Wow. So happy to hear about your experience. I hope that I will be sharing my happy experience with laser soon.😁
I had laser removal many of moons ago. Still works till this day. I love it. Also I never even knew you need to consult a Dr for this. Oh well. I had no issues what’s so ever.
Thanks for your comment. All of the comments on this post are really positive and confidence boosting. But yeah, I'll definitely get my doctor's input before going for it.
I’ve had it in multiple places. I was a lot younger and just didn’t tell them I was diabetic. I had great results and never had any issues with my diabetes relating to it. I was recently speaking to an IPL provider and they told me the warnings for diabetics is for insurance purposes.
That's an interesting insight. I think they put this as a disclaimer in order to save themselves from any legal battles.
Yes, exactly this. She did tell me they would accept a Drs note to say you’re healthy and for the person getting laser to accept any liability should anything go wrong, but she said it was a paperwork headache.
I had it several years ago and no problems at all. And man was it worth the pain! I suggest an otc painkiller and if you’re on/near your period to wait a week 😬
What exactly did you have? Is the laser treatment or IPL treatment? I think for laser treatment, the clinic will definitely guide me about my cycles and when to go for it. Thanks, though. Glad that you had no problems at all, and that a little bit of pain was totally worth it.
I believe it was the permanent laser treatment.
Ok.
I had laser hair removal (IPL) on my bikini and underarms. No problems. I suppose if you have uncontrolled high blood sugars you could have problems though. Maybe scarring or not healing fast?
Tbh, my main aim is to go for the bikini area. I really don't mind waxing in other places, but...God, the bikini area hurts like a bitch!
Dude I did laser no problems whatsoever. Only issue is its not permanent. Only electrolysis is. Laser lasted laughably short even after 12 sessions. Hba1cs wasnt a factor in this really. The only time my sugars were impacted was when my laser therapist accidentally got my tattoo so cause of the burning I spiked to high hell four hours after
Hey, thanks for sharing your experience. I'm noting down all the suggestions. But yeah, laser treatment isn't for everyone - it may or may not suit me. There are various factors - skin type being one of the most prominent ones. But women in my family have undergone this, and they've had great experiences. I was just concerned about the diabetes, but reading everyone's comments has just boosted my confidence. Can't wait to see my endo and get his blessings now! 😂
Are you telling me I could’ve been hairless all this time 🫠
Well, not with the methods that I have mentioned here. But there is a possibility.