Laser hair removal

[Ivan's Mom]

Have any of you had it done? Does it work? How long until hair is completely gone? Painful? How much does it cost?

Thanks.

[Ivan's Mom]

?

[Ironica]

I had four sessions. It lightened things a bit, but didn't really do much.

If I do it again, I'm going to a place that offers a guarantee. There's one I've seen with a two-year guarantee (though it can last up to 8 years). If your hair comes back in the 2 years, they re-treat for free.

It did hurt some. They gave me a lidocaine cream to put on my legs first, but I have some weird resistance to lidocaine or something, and it didn't take effect in the time frame they said it would, so my legs weren't numb going in (any of the times). I took a Vicodin before some treatments, though, and that helped. ;-)

[Ivan's Mom]

Thanks. Boy, I thought it was the answer to my problems. Not so sure now.

[Monarchgrrl]

I did about 4 sessions also. Mainly for my eyebrows. The hair never grew back. I love it! BUT...that might be because it works best on dark hair and light skin. That would be me, to a tee. I used to have to tweeze my brows every day. I haven't had to in about 6 years! It won't do anything for light hair or "fuzz."

My last session was right before my period and I literally cried because it hurt so bad on my upper lip. (I have 12 tattoos and never cried!) I needed a couple more treatments for my lip but couldn't go back because of the pain. But the other times that I did it not before AF it was fine. So, now I use Nair or wax my upper lip. I mean, it doesn't feel good, but it's manageable pain, I think.

It was expensive when I did it back in the day. It's cheaper now, I think. Mine was $250/session. I had a doctor do it. I would be too scared to let any "day spas" do it around here though. I've heard too many burn stories.

[lyterae]

I've had 2 sessions, prices vary everywhere so it would be better for you to contact someone and ask. Here they are 75.00 a session, you get a discount if you buy several at once.

I have dark hair and light skin, right now I'm working on getting the hair on my upper lip and chin taken care of. The chin area doesn't hurt to much, getting my lip done brought me to tears. All in all, I mean it hurts yes, but is it worth it to not have unwanted facial hair? Definitely.

[mistymama]

I want it done sooo badly. I swear if I had the money, and knew it would actually work, I'd do my arm pits, legs and bikini area. I hate shaving, but I also like to be freshly shaven/trimmed. I hate to think what I've spent on razor blades in my lifetime and feel if it worked, it would more than pay for it'self in a few years.

[frontierpsych]

I thought about doing it, but I think my body hair is too light. It's not a looks thing for me, I just hate shaving and also hate the feeling of having hairy pits and stuff. I tried waxing once. OW! No thanks! (Probably doesn't help that my friend's 12 year old was doing the waxing for me, but still)

[Ivan's Mom]

So my problem area is dark hair on light skin. I guess I am a good candidate. I was going to go for a free consultation on Thursday.

[Ironica]

Just check out the place. I went to a sort of shady spa-type place (didn't really realize it at the time, but later it became obvious they had questionable business practices). I definitely have dark hair and light skin; shaving doesn't even work for my legs, because my skin is TRANSLUCENT and you can see the stubble *under* it. ;-)

But any place that offers a guarantee obviously expects the process to work!

[Siennaflower]

I had it done years ago....like back in 2002ish. It worked for a few years and eventually the hair came back. From what I understand it's not permanent, but it was nice while it lasted. The machine did a cool burst of air just before the laser so it wasn't too uncomfortable. Only bad part was you couldn't shave so they could catch the hairs at all stages of the growth cycle. I had 4-5 sessions, can't recall which, all about 4 weeks apart. Cost...it was really expensive back then, I think it's come down in price now. Oh and I had my bikini area done.

[MomToKandE]

I've had 3 treatments on my underarms, 2 on my bikini line, and one on my lower leg.

So far I'm pleased with the results. I think my armpits might need one more treatment to get it all but I can go days without shaving now where before I really needed every day or more.

The bikini line probably needs a couple more treatments but I was getting such bad ingrown hairs from waxing and shaving that it's worth the $.

Not sure about the lower leg yet. I was told it would be 10-12 weeks before the hair grew back. It's certainly not as bad as it was, I can shave every 2-3 days now instead of every day but it is coming back sooner than I expected.

The reason you need so many treatments is that the hair grows in different cycles and the laser only kills the current active hair.

The pain wasn't bad. I didn't have topical numbing cream. The machine does a blast of cold to numb and then shoots the laser. It doesn't feel good but it's no worse than being snapped with a rubber band.

Some places charge per treatment. Others charge a flat fee upfront.

[Ivan's Mom]

Thanks for all the replies. I will not do it if too expensive and if it is not guaranteed to be permanent.

[txdancer]

I had my bikini area done last year. What they did for me was basically a Brazilian, and I have been really pleased so far. It was expensive, but not insanely so. I think it took 7 or 8 sessions for me, and it has not come back at all yet. I have dark hair down there, and very pale skin, so I think I had the perfect type.

[Girl In The Fire]

Originally Posted by lyterae

I have dark hair and light skin, right now I'm working on getting the hair on my upper lip and chin taken care of. The chin area doesn't hurt to much, getting my lip done brought me to tears. All in all, I mean it hurts yes, but is it worth it to not have unwanted facial hair? Definitely.

Does it leave burns or any physical evidence you have had something done?

[Tanibani]

In the early 90s (in my early 20s) I had a small area done in my armpit (to test it out) and I felt something funny in my nipple! Like a zap, like it hit a nerve or something. I swear... it something was "off" and I never looked into it again.

Search online for any horror stories to see if there are any. I do remember seeing articles online (burn marks, scarring, weird stuff) years ago.

[Night_Nurse]

This is all good info to know. I've never done it but have been interested in having my underarms done (I get bad ingrown hairs that hurt and itch).

[MomToKandE]

Originally Posted by APBTLuv

Does it leave burns or any physical evidence you have had something done?

It can cause some scarring but only in a small percentage of people. Most places will test a small area a week or 2 before doing the full treatment to make sure your skin responds well.

For most people there will be no marks or anything left behind. My skin is a bit red maybe for the rest of the day after the treatment but beyond that there are no marks.

[gemini25]

i have had 3 underarm tx's and one brazilian so far. the arms are $99 a session and the braz. $250 a session or you can buy discounted packages.
i have a cream to put on afterward that cools and relieves, but before hand we just ice the area with those gel ice packs and that seems to work enough.

it stings in certain spots but others you dont feel a thing. and the more you go in for the less noticeable it becomes. i have seen a difference. my place recommends 6-8 tx's per area. anything after 8 is half price.
after i finish the 2 areas ive already started id like to move on to legs.
oh and i go to a day spa..here is the website if you'd like to get an idea...

getbodylase.com

i also have gotten facial microdermabrasion and a chemical peel, i love this place!