LASER SESSION NINE

It's been three months since my last session and I haven't shaved my underarms until two days before my appointment. I grew my armpit hair to see how much I could grow and the quality. The hair is patchy and sparse. The growth is concentrated in the center crease and towards the poles. Most hairs are much finer than before, but one or two strands are still quite coarse. Plus, it's winter and I'm not wearing sleeveless clothes, so I didn't need to shave.

Sidenote:

My dermatologist prescribed Benzoyl Peroxide, Clindamycin, and Dry-Sol for my armpit odor and hyperhidrosis issues. The system has caused contact dermatitis and other irritations, so I put off getting lasered. At first, the first two helped with the odor, but they're ineffective, even in conjunction with a deodorant. 

Anyway, back to this current session.

There were some issues with my membership and making an appointment. They asked for my member ID, which I don't have. They asked me for my 编号 and I thought they meant zip code, which I provided. There was quite the kerfuffle around identifying who I was, but that was all sorted out and I got serviced. Hallelujah!

The same tech from my eighth session's post, I believe her name is Lily from what I overheard from the front desk.

Lily is a kind and attentive person. She speaks softly and has that high-pitched, but not unpleasant customer service voice that affects everyone. She examines my armpits, questions the results I'm seeing, and ascertains how many sessions I've had and how long it's been since my last visit. 

Before she starts, she does a once-over with those single-blade disposable razors. Even though I shaved my armpits two days before the appointment, I didn't notice any stubble or growth. 

Once again, she is too liberal with the ultrasound gel. I estimate 0.5 cm worth of gel on each side. While she maneuvers the lasering device's wand in one hand, she has a spatula in another to redistribute all the gel she applied. My armpits were a piece of toast and she was a toddler trying to spread the most Nutella they could.

She checks up on the power level and I don't feel a thing. I had her crank it up twice. I'm on 19 out of 25 now, and the ultrasound gel makes it difficult for me to feel anything. A blessing in disguise. 

Some things I've noticed: 

This is the second time she's had a sweaty musk... I forgot about it last time but was reminded again. 

I feel awful for saying this because I, a stinky beast, who hasn't found a good deodorant, shouldn't have the right to comment. She doesn't have body odor like mine which smells like onions and death, but she smells like stale sweat and it permeates inside my mask! I understand more than anyone that everybody sweats. They've given me a lot of grace after seeing my sweaty armpits with fuzz from my clothes clinging on and when I go to these appointments without deodorant. What separates our situation is, they're seeing all clients like that... I have the luxury of going home, showering, and being alone. At work, I know I smell bad, so I overcompensate with guilt, anxiety, humor, and perfume. 

The placement of furniture in the room has changed. The bed used to be in the center of the room, but now it's pressed against the wall. This definitely allows for more and better use of space. However, it makes it difficult for anyone to render services to clients. The wall limits your mobility, especially if you're right-handed. The person performing laser hair removal services has to stretch over the client and press up on the client to reach the right side of the armpit. I felt bad for touching Lily as I was lying prone with my hands up. I felt bad, but most people there have a DGAF attitude.