?s About Laser Hair Removal

[hockeybrat]

I've been thinking of getting this done, mainly in the bikini area and maybe underarms and brows (if that is possible). Has anybody ever had this done or is going through this? I have some questions -

Does it hurt?

Will it scar?

Is it possible to get a Brazillian style done via laser?

TIA!

[MLA]

I had my underarms done. It stings a little, but it's not bad. It didn't scar, but I have very fair skin w/dark hair (which is the ideal for laser hair removal). I loved not having to shave under my arms, but I will say this: it didn't last. About a year or 1.5 yrs later, I had all my underarm hair back. :rolleyes:

Anyway, I don't know if you can have Brazilian done, but you can always ask.

[hockeybrat]

So it isn't permanent? That sucks, especially when you pay so much to get it done.

[sparkle&shine]

I have completed 2 treatments so far for my bikini 'plus' laser treatments. I won't lie it does hurt. It feels like a snap on the skin. You have to go in quite a bit to make sure that you get every growing cycle- at my place they say it usually takes about 4-6 treatments. You can get anywhere on your body lasered EXCEPT the eyebrows (with the exception of right between the eyes). They don't do eyebrows since it is so close to the eyes and the laser is not exact enough to be able to shape properly. I have not scarred but my skin and hair is ideal for laser hair removal. I am light skinned with dark hair. So far I have not had to shave at all even though I still have a quite a few cycles to go. I go every 6 weeks.

It is true that they can not call it 'permanent' because some people do have regrowth it really just depends on your hair cycles and hormones. The place I go to www.laserforless.com has a great FAQ section that may help you out.

I am VERY pleased so far with this process and so is my friend that is doing it at the same time as me.

[hockeybrat]

sparkle&shine thanks for the link. I'll check it out :)

[HeatherFL]

I am in the process of having my underarms and everything in the bikini area removed. You have to go in to see if you are a candidate. It doesn't hurt very much-I used to wax, so this is easy in comparison (ETA 08/27/06: My mind has completley changed on this. Months later it has gotten much worse and I'd rather wax than do laser, but it's still worth it to me.) It feels sort of like little rubber bands snapping your skin. But it's quick. They only guarantee a certain percentage of hair removal because it only works on black hairs.

The entire process takes almost two years. You go the first time and then wait 12 weeks. Then you go again and have your second treatment, wait 12 weeks and then the last treatment. Then you go in for follow-ups over the next year. A lot of laser places offer discounts to do it once or twice and the hair grows back. The hair grows in three growth cycles, so that is why they do it three times and then do maintenance following your initial three treatments. So what happens is that the hair will fall out and you cannot wax or shave it. Then it starts to grow back and you're like, "HUH"? Well, that's because the next growth cycle has started. So it grows in little patches because some of the hair is really already dead. At that point you can shave between treatments, but no waxing!

I go to Ideal Image (www.idealimage.com) and I've been very happy. It looks like the closest to you is in Idaho (I used to live in King County so I know that's a bit far.) I'd really do research into it because a lot of places claim to be experts, but they don't know much about it.

Hope this helps.

H.

[hockeybrat]

Thank you! I haven't started researching actual places yet but that will be my next step. I've waxed in the past so I think the pain won't be that big of a deal :)

[MLA]

The entire process takes almost two years. You go the first time and then wait 12 weeks. Then you go again and have your second treatment, wait 12 weeks and then the last treatment. Then you go in for follow-ups over the next year. A lot of laser places offer discounts to do it once or twice and the hair grows back. The hair grows in three growth cycles, so that is why they do it three times and then do maintenance following your initial three treatments.

Hmm . . . maybe that was my problem. My treatments certainly didn't take 2 yrs, so maybe I missed some growing cycles . . .

[HeatherFL]

MLA, that could be it. Did your place have a lifetime follow-up guarantee? Mine has that too. I get follow-ups for life at a very minimal charge if any of the hair comes back. After a certain amount of spot treatments they charge 1 nickel per pulse.

Also, I wanted to write that you can also smell the burning of the hair follicle, so when that happens don't freak out. It's supposed to happen.

And it doesn't scar. :)

H.

[MLA]

MLA, that could be it. Did your place have a lifetime follow-up guarantee?

Not that I know of, but I've moved across the country since having the procedure done, so even if they did, I wouldn't be able to use it, anyway. Maybe I'll give it another go. Not having to shave under my arms was heaven! :)

[Esq.]

How many treatments did you have MLA? I am still doing mine (MORE than 2 years for me. My hair is stubborn), and will continue until it is all gone forever. And like Heather, the place I go to has a lifetime guarantee.

I go every three months, and generally only have to shave about 2 week before my appointment (because the new hair cycle starts right around that time).

[Quartercentury]

I just had an appointment about this last week. I was told that for most people, you'll need at least six treatments, and they have to be 6-8 weeks apart.

I didn't realize so many treatments were needed or that they had to be so far apart. Or that it's not healthy/recommended for pregnant women. So I would have started the process, had to take a break for TTC/pregnancy, during which hormones might have made my hair growth patterns go all wonky anyway, and then started the process all over again next year. So I didn't go for it.

[southerner]

I had my "stache" done. I went for 3 or 4 treatments (can't remember exactly how many). Here I am two years later and I thought/hoped there would be a bigger difference :( My hair is maybe a little thinner, but not lighter and still grows as fast. It wasn't worth the money I shelled out back then.

[WestieMomma]

I've been getting my armpits done and they told me 6-8 treatments total and maybe a touch up once or twice a year thereafter. I love the results and plan to get my bikini line done next.

[Esq.]

WestieMomma, my bikini was far more responsive to laser hair removal than my underarms have been. You will love the results on your bikini line! I don't ever have to even think about mine, and the skin is so smooth and nice. No more bikini line bumps! :D

[HeatherFL]

I just went in for my second treatment yesterday. A little TMI, but the part that bothers me the most is when they do it over the pubic bone. Ten more weeks and on December 18th I'll have my third treatment. I sooo cannot wait for the three growth cycles to be done. :D

~H.

[kimbyj]

I am not willing to risk the laser - I am fairly dark skinned (if one could say such a thing). So I am not an ideal candidate.

My DH's cousins are having it done. One LOVED it and the hair has not returned. She had a terrible rash on her legs for weeks though. Another one has paid $4000 for her whole body and said it is not working as well as she wanted it to. Another one paid $3500 for her body and she looks good and loves it. The prices they paid were thru a family friend and were for unlimited treatment for a one year period. They said it was a good price.

Good luck to all and I hope they come out with something for the darker ladies!

[HeatherFL]

She had a terrible rash on her legs for weeks though.

I am so sorry! This could have to do with sun exposure.

No sun for 4 weeks prior to treatment and no sun for at least 1 week prior. That even means shorts or wearing wraps.

~H.

[sparkle&shine]

I have my 3rd treatment today! You really do need to make sure that you are a good candidate before jumping in and doing it. I know that it wouldn't do me much good to do my legs since there is a mixture of blond and brown hair and it won't catch the light hair anyway. It is working wonders on my bikini line though!

[scrappy]

Can those of you who have done/are doing your bikini line give me an idea of how much it costs? I understand that it varies depending on what region of the US you're in, but at least it will help me get an idea of how much it might cost. :)

Thanks in advance!!

[HeatherFL]

My underarms and total hair removal from bikini area was $2,000. I know it's less for just the bikini line, but I am not exactly sure the cost. I think I may have a sheet somewhere and I'll look it up for you when I get home from my business trip if I can find it. :)

~H.

[DallasLady]

I am dark skinned with dark hair. I just have a few stray hairs on my chin and jaw that I want to get rid of, I'm tired of plucking them. Do you think I could still be a candidate?

[WestieMomma]

DallasLady They do laser hair removal where I work (doctor's office) and there is an African American lady that works here and asked and they said no it would not work on really dark skin. I think you run the risk of the laser discoloring the skin. The best candidates are light skin with really dark hair.

[looch]

I really want to get my underarms and bikini area done. How many sessions, Heather?

[tinkerbell2005]

Does anyone know of a good place in NJ or NY to get laser done?

[southerner]

Does anyone know of a good place in NJ or NY to get laser done?

I'm sure someone that lives in that area (http://www.constantchatter.com/forumdisplay.php?f=46) will be able to help you if you post this over there.