Bio-Identical Hormones at Elase + A Giveaway

It is no secret that I have PCOS and my hormones are completely out of control. In fact, infertility and adoption are things we often talk about around here, that kind of talk is completely welcome and normal to us (so much so that sometimes I forget it isn't normal to talk about with just anyone ;-). What I don't always talk about is the crazy, hormonal banshee that is around our house sometimes. So here we go, let's get real about it.

There are some days where I want to rip my hair out, where I know that I am being completely ridiculous and think to myself, you've got to pull it together, but I really just can't. My hormones take over and I am all over the place. I am certain I should probably lock myself in my room and not come out (and trust me, that has happened and probably welcomed by my family members).

But my insane cycles that I have had since I was 12 years old just added to all of that and I would turn into a raging lunatic. While I thought some of that had gotten better, I realize now that I had just accepted the fact that my hormones were that way and tried to deal with it in the best way I could.

 What I didn't know up until 5 months ago was how much better it could be. When I had the opportunity to work with Elase I was excited about so many things. Of course getting rid of my manbeard was at the top of the list (thank you PCOS), the VIVE weight loss program, photo facials, chemical peels and even Botox, but I was also completely intrigued by the bio-identical hormone therapy. So, I set up an appointment to meet with Catherine, the nurse practitioner at Elase, and had my blood work done.

I went back the next week to go over the results and she asked me a few questions. For example, did I felt anxious? Sure, sometimes. She asked me if I had a hard time sleeping. Yes, but I am a busy mom of three with a lot on my plate!!! She asked me if I felt like I was always in attack mode and if even the smallest things irritated me. And I asked her if she had talked to my husband! Because certainly he must have told her how insane I could be because she was describing me to a tee. And then we laughed and laughed because that is one of my favorite things to do with the ladies at Elase.

Catherine knew exactly why I was feeling that way and went over my blood work with me pointing out how low my progesterone was (basically non-existent) and how high my testosterone was (almost triple what it should be) as well as the lack of Vitamin D in my body. She went over the good aspects too like my thyroid and cholesterol levels. She sent in a prescription for progesterone and told me to use it as a tool. If I was feeling anxious and irritated I should take some progesterone because more than likely I was lacking and could use that boost.

I am so, so glad I went to see Catherine to see how bio-identical hormones could help me. I haven't felt this good in ages. Truly. I don't feel like the crazy, hormonal banshee that I was (and had been for a while). As long as I have my progesterone and Vitamin D, I feel like my best self (except those days I forget and then I see a glimpse of that crazy banshee self that no one misses around here!). And this may be too much information (I told you I was keeping it real) but for the first time in my life, I have had a regular cycle for five months in a row. I will spare you the details but that alone has changed my life! I never knew it should be like this because it never has been until now. Thank you, Catherine & Elase! You are the best!

And because Elase loves my readers as much as I do, they are giving away a FREE Chemical Peel & Elase tote to one of you! While I haven't had a chance to get a chemical peel yet (it is definitely on my list), my good friend, Kim did and you can read about her experience here. Your skin can be feeling fresh and new just in time for the holidays! And for all of you up near Station Park in Farmington, they have a new location coming oh so soon, so enter away.

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Laser Hair Removal Follow-Up

Remember the manbeard? I am happy to tell you that after just a few months of laser hair removal, it is almost non-existent. I am feeling much less...manly. I still have some peach fuzz that grows (don't we all) but I definitely don't worry about it every. single. day. like I was when the manbeard was in full force. I touch a few little hairs about once a week and other than that, I am no longer worrying about my pesky beard. Hallelujah!

The laser hair removal treatments take less than five minutes and are not uncomfortable at all. I normally use Dr. Numb but the last time I completely forgot until I got to my appointment. While it was warm (it is a laser afterall), it wasn't painful. And since it is so fast and I had cool air blowing on my face, it wasn't a big deal.

The technician's at Elase are awesome and even ask where the thickest parts of my man beard were so they could go over them another time. I love that because those are the spots I definitely don't want to see coming back!

Goodbye manbeard! I wish I could say that I will miss you but I am more than happy to see you go.

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Full Disclosure: While I am working with Elase and receiving services in exchange for sharing my opinion, my opinions and experiences are all my own.

Back to the Manbeard I Giveaway I Elase Medical Spas

I have to be honest, I wasn't sure that I really wanted to tell you all about my manbeard. Especially after trying so hard to hide it from everyone for so long. I wasn't sure what to expect when I hit publish on that manbeard post. I tend to laugh when I am nervous and I am so glad that you could all laugh about it with me!

 
I am just so excited to be doing the laser hair removal for this manbeard of mine that I could squeal {insert squeal}. I had another laser hair treatment over at Elase and am definitely feeling a difference in the manbeard. While is it still patchy, the hairs definitely feel thinner and finer and less pokey. I find myself shaving much less and even when I do, it is in fewer and more random places than I had to before. In this case, maybe more patchy is a good thing!

Again, my appointment was literally less than five minutes. You really are just in and out. I was running errands and didn't have time for Dr. Numb to set in so this time around I definitely felt the heat a bit more. But it was nothing uncomfortable. It is so fast and with the cool air blowing on you, it didn't seem bad at all. After it is finished, it is a tiny bit red but it quickly goes away and you can put aloe vera on it if you want to.

After two treatments, I am definitely noticing a difference. My manbeard isn't gone but it is already a definite improvement. The ladies at Elase do a great job and are so nice and welcoming every single time I go in. So excited to be getting rid of this unwanted hair and I think I will move on to my armpits next!

Are you ready for this, because this is amazing! {get ready to squeal!} Elase wants to help you get rid of your unwanted hair too so they are giving one of my readers (so lucky!) a complete Underarm Laser Hair Removal Membership (an 18-month membership, a $630 value). I hope you are squealing because I am just thinking about how awesome that is. 

 

This giveaway will be open through midnight MST, Saturday, July 27, 2013. It is good for either the Sugarhouse or Draper Elase Medical Spas. You must be a new client of Elase to win.  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Did Someone Say Manbeard?

Hi, my name is Leisha and I have a manbeard. I'd like to thank my hormones, PCOS and all of those years wading through infertility and trying to balance my hormones out for making it what it is today.

If you didn't know about my manbeard it is because I try my very best to keep it tamed, plucked, waxed, and shaven. I don't normally talk about it because, well, I feel much less myself with my manbeard and I love feeling cute and feminine. My manbeard definitely hinders that.

I really don't like to share my manbeard with anyone, I'd rather prefer hibernating if I had to let it grow but I also wanted you to be able to see what I deal with every single day. Unfortunately I have to much to do and too many people to see to actually let it grow (ain't nobody got time for that!), so this will have to do.

(While it seems like a nice, thick beard, in actuality, it is much more patchy in real life and not quite as funny! ;-)

My manbeard has gotten so out of control the last few years that I even made a deal with my husband that when I got old and couldn't take care of myself that he would ensure the manbeard was taken care of.

That was until I was introduced to Elase Medical Spas and realized I should have been bargaining for laser hair removal instead. After all of the horror stories I have heard about, I loved knowing that all of their estheticians are highly trained and extremely knowledgeable, not to mention so friendly! I love that Elase has the feel of a spa but is as clean as a doctor's office too (so important to me!). 

I also didn't realize how reasonably priced laser hair removal really is at Elase. They have reasonable plans starting as low as $35/month and it is 70%-90% effective after a series of 8 to 12 treatments. Why haven't I done this sooner?

I went into Elase for my first laser hair removal appointment wondering what it would be like. I had heard all sorts of stories about laser hair removal and how painful it could be. So, I put on some Dr. Numb and headed out the door.

 

Mary Kate was as excited as I was to help me get rid of my manbeard!

I was pleasantly surprised with how quick it was and how comfortable it was. I loved the cool air blowing in my face through the entire thing and was literally done in less than five minutes. The best five minutes that I will ever spend every month for sure!

With each treatment, you should see an average of 20 to 30% less re-growth. After my first two treatments, I can definitely tell the manbeard is coming in a bit thinner. I cannot wait until it is basically non-existent.

Elase Medical Spa in Draper

When I set my goals at the beginning of the year, one of the things at the top of the list was taking better care of myself and making sure that I wasn't putting myself at the bottom of the list (or letting myself fall completely off the list for that matter which is easy to do with three busy kids). My goals included eating better, exercising, laying off the Diet Coke (gasp!), and getting my crazy hormones under control.

I started off the year doing good at eating better and exercising and had to work my way up to the Diet Coke (just for the record, I am going on 5 weeks without one and I am still alive!) and then those pesky hormones are always on the list (thank you PCOS!).

When I had the opportunity to tour Elase Medical Spa in Draper as a brand ambassador, I thought I would check into exactly what it was they had to offer before the tour. I had never heard of a medical spa before and while I knew they did laser hair removal, I didn't know much beyond that.

My vision of facials, massages & pedicures was far from true. That isn't what they do at all. I was so excited to see that they offer laser hair removal, bio-identical hormone therapy, skin rejuvenation and weight loss. They also offer botox, fillers and cosmetic surgery.

 

What I didn't know that day was how truly wonderful Elase is. With a million things going on and my stress at an all time high, it is always refreshing to go into Elase and have them make me feel fabulous the minute I walk in the door. It is so relaxing and the medical staff at Elase Draper is so friendly. So much so that I really just want to hang out with them all day every time I go in for an appointment!

I met with them for a consult and was surprised at how reasonable their prices were, especially with their affordable membership packages. They also offer discounts which are easy to find out about through their Facebook page. 

After spending some time at Elase, I decided to do laser hair removal (goodbye, manbeard), bio-identical hormone therapy (help me hormones!), and VIVE weight loss (come on healthy weight). Some of those things can get a bit personal but they have been fantastic and as Brittney reminded me, "It is never to late to start taking care of you." I would definitely say this is a great start to taking care of me and I look forward to sharing my journey all along the way. Starting with laser hair removal for that manbeard of mine!

Elase in Draper is easy to find right off of 123rd South & I-15 near Kohl's. They also have a Sugarhouse location. 

Disclaimer: While Elase Medical Spas is providing treatments in exchange for sharing my experiences and opinions regarding the services they provide, my opinions are all my own. I think taking better care of myself is something I should have done a long time ago. Now is a great time to start and I am grateful I can do it at Elase!