Laser Hair Removal

[AwakenedMama]

Anyone have thoughts on laser hair removal? I don't like having bikini hair and I hate waxing and shaving. I've read a little about it and it seems like it would probably at least thin the hair a lot (and maybe I could pluck the rest) and that it may cause some temporary skin irritation, but other complications aren't likely (I have light skin and red hair).

Thanks!

[MommyDOK]

I'm w/ you!!! I've never had the money to do it, but if I ever find gold in my backyard, I want to spend money on it.

I can't take any amount of pain...and that worries me. I could NEVER wax my bikini area (and I've had epidural free very painful births)......subbing to see what others say!!

[PPK]

I did several sessions for brazillian/bikini and it did last for maybe 6 months before slowly coming back. I did a couple of more sessions and then stopped.

Its been about 4 years since I did it and I'm just as hairy as ever. I've had a few friends with similar results. I've heard you can get better results if you are fairer skinned/fair haired, that way they can turn up the laser higher without it picking up dark skin pigment and burning you. I'm olive tonned, certainly not dark though...although my hair is nearly black...so who knows!

Oh- and it hurts horribly, and I have a decent pain threshold. If you do it, do get the prescription for Lidcane, or whatever numbing cream they prescribe, but be careful, I think some people died from using too much..google it.

So, two thumbs down from me, but maybe it would work for you since you're fairer.

[AwakenedMama]

Thanks for sharing!

My husband was initially very interested in me doing it, and when I told him the side effects (both the common ones and the rare ones), he, without hesitation, said, absolutely not. It was clear to him that it wasn't worth it.

I guess we don't have to "suffer to be beautiful."

[Irishmommy]

I've had it done, very little regrowth. I'm fair skinned, dark hair, perfect for it apparently. It's been awesome, and I have had no side effects. I've done underarms, legs and bikini area. Worth every penny.

[lakeruby]

Originally Posted by Irishmommy

I've had it done, very little regrowth. I'm fair skinned, dark hair, perfect for it apparently. It's been awesome, and I have had no side effects. I've done underarms, legs and bikini area. Worth every penny.

Irishmommy- how many times did you have to have the treatment (for a particular area)? Have the results been permanent? What was your opinion of the pain? Thanks for sharing your results-- I'm fair skinned, brown hair, and very tired of having to deal with the bikini area! I would love to be able to go swimming without fear of stray hairs!

[Irishmommy]

I think 3 times each. I've been more than that, but don't get every bit done every time. But I'm thinking 3 each. From what I can see without a mirror, my bikini line is fine, as are my legs and pits.

Oh, and it does hurt. I take advil beforehand to make it bearable, but I can still feel it.

[lakeruby]

Also- can anyone tell me about the cost for this type of treatment? I'm having a hard time even coming up with a ballpark figure in my online searches, and I'm not ready to call any place yet. It seems like I have heard some bad things about this procedure, but I can't remember where. Are there cancer risks involved???

[YinYang]

Ditto Irish Mommy. I've had my bikini (ALL, including tush), lower leg, and armpits done. I swear by this - I have LOVED it. I have done 4 sessions, all done at each one. Each session cost me $300, I believe (cost is lower the more parts you do, also last time, she went ahead and did my upper leg, just because, YAY!). The last session I had was in.... July I believe....
I LOVE my results. I should go back for probably 2 more sessions to be 100% free of hair in each of these regions. That said, what I'm left with is SOOOOO worth it - I shave MAYBE once a month, maybe.
As for the pain factor, I'm shocked to hear people say it is painful. I DO have a high tolerance for pain but this is definitely LESS painful than waxing for sure (for me at least)! I've never taken Advil or any prescription before any appointment. I'm not saying it is a walk in the park but it is more just annoying than anything else - there are certain areas (like inside the lips, sorry if TMI) that hurt but 2 zaps and you move on to some other area, kwim?

I cannot say enough how happy I am that I did this. I will likely get electrolosys for the rest, if anything, as I have tattoos in the area. Laser cannot touch tattoos or it will fry them and burn your skin-- so keep that in mind.

As for cost justification, yes it is a bit pricey but in my mind - I'm no longer buying those ridiculously expensive razors, no more waxing, no shaving creams... and I also reduce the amount of water I use, etc etc.

If I could give it to every woman, I would!

I am relatively light-skinned (not super light skinned but not olive and I do burn in the sun) and I have dark hair - so I think I too was a prime candidate.

After 6 months of not going, I haven't noticed any re-growth though I hear it can happen.

Final comment, I have gone to a CNM for this service - not to some office that advertises laser treatments on the radio. Not that it matters, I don't know, but I do think I got better results because of this (totally could be MY interpretation and without merit, I admit). I just felt that she really was educated on the equipment and what she was doing... it wasn't some random spot.... FWIW.

Happy to answer any other questions, of course, my opinion is skewed! Do it!

[ScarletBegonias]

i sooooooo wish i could afford laser! i am very crunchy, but i am so very hairy and fair that i still have to do a lot of maintenance to not look like a yeti!

i've had several bff do laser and they swear it changed their lives! the only instances i've heard of it not really working/regrowth is when there is excessive hair growth that is hormonal, like women with PCOS (which is me).

[Caneel]

I have had my upper lip, arm pits, and lower legs done so far.

My results are varied.

The upper lip wasn't worth it. My hair was rather light (in color) and I just don't think there was enough contrast between hair/folicle and skin for the laser to work.

My armpits are wonderful. There are just a few stray, very light hairs remaining after 3 sessions.

So far, so good with the legs. Like my pits, the hair was thick and black and even after shaving, it still looked like I had a 5 oclock shadow all the time. I have had 2 leg sessions so far.

My lip and pits didn't hurt much at all, a bit to stinging but no big deal. For reference, I waxed my arm pits for years so I was either used to the pain or my nerve endings were long since deadened.

Lazering on my lower legs were extremely painful. Again, I waxed for years and was shocked by how much it hurts.

My cousin, who has the same light skin, black hairs as I do, got her bikini area done once and was pleased with the results.

The nurse who does mine said some people take Advil prior to sessions. The office stopped using the pain killing gel because so many patients were having reactions to the gel.