laser hair removal

[mrsmel]

Has anybody here tried laser hair removal? What process did you use? Do you think it was successful? What parts of your body did you use it for? I'm considering it and would love some info from people who have used it. Thanks in advance.

anne

 

[paxy]

Yes, yes, yes!!! I had it done on my chin and upper lip. It was not cheap but the best treat I gave myself. I have spent most of my adult life plucking my chin and ripping the hair off my lip. I think my husband finally got tired of seeing me sitting on the bathroom counter with my feet in the sink plucking my chin for half an hour each night. I told me to "go for it"!! (laser) My hair is stubborn and coarse and I will have my last treatement this week; treatment number 8. Good luck!

Cheryl

 

[debbydarestobefit]

I had this done about 5 years ago ... it was expensive but I think well worth it for me. I had a fairly heavy dark "mustache" and some dark hairs on my chin and neck. The area on my neck was developing scar tissue from all the plucking. Prior to laser I had tried various other measures ... bleaching, shaving, waxing, tweezing, letting it grow, etc. I never liked any of the results. I had a total of 5 treatments over about 5-6 months. It did hurt for a day or so after the procedure and I'd have reddness and swelling some ... I always had the appt on a Friday afternoon so I wouldn't have to go to work for a few days. I've since had a few hairs grow back, but they are less coarse and easier to deal with than the hundreds I had previously. My hair is graying and it is best to do the treatment before the hair grays as the procedure isn't effective on light or gray hair ... the dark the better. Hope this helps. Deb

 

[dreamyjeanie]

I had it done a couple of years ago and love it. (lower legs, bikini, arm pits) After the initial treatment series you may still need to do maintainence sessions. Check out several companies and compare prices and services. I just recently checked out several for my daughter who wants to have it done. Some companies do 5 sessions other 6. Some cahrge by the individual session. Some come with a 2 year guarantee others don't. Some have additional costs, such as the after care lotion. Most places will let you come in for a free consultation and even do a small swample area so you see how it feels. It's not real painful, but it does sting. Make sure when comparing companies your are comparing apple to apples since each company will have different policies and prices. One company gave us a quote and then when we baulked, they kept dropping the price. I felt like I was at a car dealership.

Hope that helps some.

 

[ally1966]

Anne,

Just a quick reply to say another enthusiastic YES -- I did laser on my chin and the center of my neck, and it was some of the best money I have ever spent! I'd do it again in a heartbeat -- it has given me great freedom (I was obsessed with tweezing).

Good luck if you choose to go ahead!
Allison

 

[WD]

My dd is a PA in dermatology. She did my underarms and it so great not having to worry about that area. From what I understand though is that the hair has to be dark or it won't work. She tried on her legs but said it didn't really work.

http://wd.1ww.us
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[LauraMax]

If you're talking about for your face, there's actually a new prescription medication--I believe it's a pill--called Vanica that supposedly stops the hair on your face from growing.

I have no idea how it may affect hair on other parts of your body. I have no idea how it targets your face & not the rest of your body. I have no idea what the long term effects might be. I have no idea what the requirements are before a dr. can prescribe it. Crap, I don't even remember where I heard about it or why I remember the name. But perhaps it's worth a google?

 

[MissL]

I use Vaniqa. It is by prescription only. It is expensive and not covered by insurance, but it does go a long way. It may be cost prohibitive to use on larger areas, plus I believe it has only been tested for use on facial hair, although I am not certain on that point. It does not eliminate hair--it just slows the growth--so you still need to use some removal product. Also, you have to use it every day, and it takes several weeks to see a big difference (b/c hair growth is cyclical). And then you have to continue to use it every day to maintain. Results are individual. I went from having to use hair removal products every two weeks to using them every two months, FWIW.

MissL

 

[ally1966]

I tried Vaniqa before I did the laser hair removal on my chin/neck, and I ended up with cystic acne in that area -- something about it was pore-clogging, at least for me.
Allison