laser hair removal?
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darine
Cathlete
Hi
I haven't but thought about out many times. I finally decided I will not do it since I know a girl that did it 2 years ago and she sees her coming back and another good friend of mine did it and not only she had few temporary burns (wash... can't be good) but also does not see success. Not even for a year!!! Some people it works for them for a while, but every time I hear a story, I hear that hair grows back.
There is also a friend of mine who does electrolysis (which I tried 10 years ago and still no hair growth), she works at a spa and a customer sued the spa since laser damaged his back (male).
I did not personnaly tried it but based on what I hear.... I think lazer would be wonderful in 20 years when enough people had tried it and is been adjusted, research. I think it's still too early. My opinion.
I haven't but thought about out many times. I finally decided I will not do it since I know a girl that did it 2 years ago and she sees her coming back and another good friend of mine did it and not only she had few temporary burns (wash... can't be good) but also does not see success. Not even for a year!!! Some people it works for them for a while, but every time I hear a story, I hear that hair grows back.
There is also a friend of mine who does electrolysis (which I tried 10 years ago and still no hair growth), she works at a spa and a customer sued the spa since laser damaged his back (male).
I did not personnaly tried it but based on what I hear.... I think lazer would be wonderful in 20 years when enough people had tried it and is been adjusted, research. I think it's still too early. My opinion.
nancy324
Cathlete
I'm dying to have it, but it's just too darn expensive for my superego to allow it yet. 
:+ I'm told that I'm a perfect candidate because my skin is light and my hair is dark and coarse. I want to have my full legs done, but last time I priced it, it was in excess of $5,000. Maybe someday, when I'm rich.
If you do it, please give all details!
:+ I'm told that I'm a perfect candidate because my skin is light and my hair is dark and coarse. I want to have my full legs done, but last time I priced it, it was in excess of $5,000. Maybe someday, when I'm rich. If you do it, please give all details!
Hello,
I've had it done last year. It was a course of 6 treatments and for the underarms only. I paid £349 (UK pounds) for the course, which was £65 per treatment. The laser itself was not painful, just uncomfortable. They do tell you that the treatment is not permanent and it depends on the hair cycle as well.
The treatment was in 6 week stages, you have one then come back 6 weeks later for anther and so on until you complete the course. This is because the hair grows in 6 week cycle. Since then the hair is much less under my armpit, but I've still got some growth, I don't know if this is regrowth or hair that was never caught during the treatment i.e. the laser did not catch it at it's growth cycle.
I am please with it, but I do think it is expensive and for the price I would expect the laser to be permanent. I did think about going back for another couple of treatments (they said that ideally you should have 6-8) and maybe get my bikini done as well. But this year I had my eyes lasered, so I don't want to spend more money on beauty.
The last few hairs are very fine and hardly noticeable. I am looking into the possibility of having electrolysis as this is cheaper. I have not decided yet.
If you can afford it, then I would reccommend it. It is so much better not to have to shave or wax ever again.
Yen
I've had it done last year. It was a course of 6 treatments and for the underarms only. I paid £349 (UK pounds) for the course, which was £65 per treatment. The laser itself was not painful, just uncomfortable. They do tell you that the treatment is not permanent and it depends on the hair cycle as well.
The treatment was in 6 week stages, you have one then come back 6 weeks later for anther and so on until you complete the course. This is because the hair grows in 6 week cycle. Since then the hair is much less under my armpit, but I've still got some growth, I don't know if this is regrowth or hair that was never caught during the treatment i.e. the laser did not catch it at it's growth cycle.
I am please with it, but I do think it is expensive and for the price I would expect the laser to be permanent. I did think about going back for another couple of treatments (they said that ideally you should have 6-8) and maybe get my bikini done as well. But this year I had my eyes lasered, so I don't want to spend more money on beauty.
The last few hairs are very fine and hardly noticeable. I am looking into the possibility of having electrolysis as this is cheaper. I have not decided yet.
If you can afford it, then I would reccommend it. It is so much better not to have to shave or wax ever again.
Yen
fit_fairy
Cathlete
It's NOT necessarily permanent as they advertise. So beware. You may spend alot of money only have to end up shaving again. That would suck!!
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I have it done and get temporary results, but the hair does grow back. I've had hair removal treatments for years, though, and this is the most effective, convenient, and comfortable treatment I've ever had.
A word on burns: People who get burned by the treatment usually aren't following the pre-treatment regimen. You are not supposed to tan for something like 48 hours prior to treatment, and there are certain facial cleansers (such as Proaciv) that you should not use if you are going to have hair removal on your face. If you get sunburned, tanned, or use any of the restricted chemicals within a few days of treatment, you risk getting burned by the laser. Also, the laser only works on hair that is dark enough to catch the laser. Light blonde hairs don't typically get eradicated the way darker ones do.
A word on burns: People who get burned by the treatment usually aren't following the pre-treatment regimen. You are not supposed to tan for something like 48 hours prior to treatment, and there are certain facial cleansers (such as Proaciv) that you should not use if you are going to have hair removal on your face. If you get sunburned, tanned, or use any of the restricted chemicals within a few days of treatment, you risk getting burned by the laser. Also, the laser only works on hair that is dark enough to catch the laser. Light blonde hairs don't typically get eradicated the way darker ones do.
fit_fairy
Cathlete
Burn also occur from user error- make sure that you see a reputable and well trained professional
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I have had under arms and bikini area done. I think I'm on treatment 7 out of [most liklely] 10. I love it! Find a qualified place that stands behind their work. Mine will laser any regrowth for life. I have to say if you only do your underarms you will be very happy. My underarms are smooth and white as if I NEVER had hair there. Even with a fresh shave you can see hair under the skin. My opinion; expensive but worth it!
I also had a successful laser experience, on my jawline and neck area. My initial treatment involved 6 sessions, each about 2 months apart, and I got almost 100% hair reduction in that time. Recently -- about a year after my last treatment -- I went back for a single session to try to zap the few hairs that were either coming back or weren't hit in the original series, and that worked very well. I know the experts now refer to "permanent hair reduction," rather than "removal," so they're acknowledging that it's not 100% effective or permanent. But in my case, the results have been great, and I'd spend the money again in a heartbeat!
I agree about finding a qualified technician. I used the aesthetician employed by my dermatologist's practice, and my derm evaluated me ahead of time. (I do have the combo of relatively light skin and the hair was dark, which is what laser works best on.)
Good luck if you go ahead!
Allison
I agree about finding a qualified technician. I used the aesthetician employed by my dermatologist's practice, and my derm evaluated me ahead of time. (I do have the combo of relatively light skin and the hair was dark, which is what laser works best on.)
Good luck if you go ahead!
Allison
dreamyjeanie
Cathlete
Another happy customer here. I had it done 4 years ago. I did armpits, lower legs, bikini and neck. I have dark hair and light skin which works best with most lasers. There are some lasers that can do lighter hair. As for regrowth, if the treatment is done properly, the hair folicle dies and does not regrow. Your body though, is in a constant cycle of hair growth, so new hairs can grow in areas that have been treated. Since the end of my initial series (I think I had 5 sessions) I go back once a year and get any stray/new hairs zapped. It is expense. Check prices at several places. My daughter checked into it awhile back and each time we baulked at a price at this one place, they came down as if she was buying a used car. Some places will have specials like buy 1 treament area, get the second for 1/2 off. Some have guarantees that vary from 2 years or longer. For me it was well worth the money and my DH will agree. I had very course hair and he is extremely happy that he doesn't have to sleep with a porcupine any more (even though I shaved everyday, I would have five o'clock shadow LOL). I still have some light fine hair that I sometimes shave just to have a really smooth look, but it is so fine that is it not noticeable.
It can be uncomfortable. I did not have any problems with burns, but one session I did have a reaction to the chemical that cools the skin with each pulse. Had to take some Benadryl and use cortizone cream to relieve the itch. Also be careful if using a pain reducing cream before the session. Some places recommend you use the cream and wrap the area in plastic wrap. There has been at least 1 reported death of a girl whose body absorbed too much of the lidocaine type product and died due to the reaction.
Hope that helps.
It can be uncomfortable. I did not have any problems with burns, but one session I did have a reaction to the chemical that cools the skin with each pulse. Had to take some Benadryl and use cortizone cream to relieve the itch. Also be careful if using a pain reducing cream before the session. Some places recommend you use the cream and wrap the area in plastic wrap. There has been at least 1 reported death of a girl whose body absorbed too much of the lidocaine type product and died due to the reaction.
Hope that helps.
nancy324
Cathlete
dreamyjeanie,
Finally! A woman like me. I know sooo few women who have to shave every day. Now I am determined to do it someday. It's just that I don't feel comfortable having anyone except an experienced dermatologist do it, so the prices are really untouchable for me right now. But I will get there.
Finally! A woman like me. I know sooo few women who have to shave every day. Now I am determined to do it someday. It's just that I don't feel comfortable having anyone except an experienced dermatologist do it, so the prices are really untouchable for me right now. But I will get there.
Nancy,
Have you tried waxing or using hair removing creams? I used to shave and waxed my armpits. I started out shaving, but the hair grew back really coarse and I swear it caused more re-growth. I then switched over to waxing and over time the hair became finer and less. With waxing the hair takes longer to grow back and I did it once every 6 weeks. You have to leave the hair until it reached a certain length, but it is much finer I didn't mind it. Waxing involves some pain, but it is something you will get used to.
Yen
Have you tried waxing or using hair removing creams? I used to shave and waxed my armpits. I started out shaving, but the hair grew back really coarse and I swear it caused more re-growth. I then switched over to waxing and over time the hair became finer and less. With waxing the hair takes longer to grow back and I did it once every 6 weeks. You have to leave the hair until it reached a certain length, but it is much finer I didn't mind it. Waxing involves some pain, but it is something you will get used to.
Yen
nancy324
Cathlete
Yen, you obviously don't have thick, dark, coarse hair or you wouldn't be mentioning waxing. x( YOU HAVE TO GROW YOUR HAIR LONG in order to get it waxed. To me, walking around hairy is nothing short of torture. x( I wish I was like so many women with the light, blonde wisps of hair, in which case waxing would be fine. But for me sitting around for weeks watching my hair grow is absolutely disgusting. x( x(
I think I have some kind of hair phobia.
I think I have some kind of hair phobia.
Nancy,
I have thick, dark, coarse hair as well and really, as bad as it is to let the hair grow out, waxing makes a HUGE difference in regrowth. I waxed for about 8 months and now when my hair grows back it's much finer and lighter (really!). I did hate having to wait till it was long enough to wax, and that doesn't really work in the summer, so I recently purchased an epilator (Braun Silkepil Xell). I had the first generation epilady, but it took forever, wasn't super effective and hurt like heck. The new one works awesome and I do my legs about once a week just to get the few stray hairs that pop up (and even those are way less noticeable because they're so much finer). I would highly recommend going through a few cycles of waxing first as I think using an epilator on LOTS of coarse hair would be too painful. If you're considering trying it, wait until the fall then get waxed, let it grow out, wax again and then start epilating. Oh, you do have to exfoliate a lot with either waxing or epilating as you tend to get ingrown hairs if you don't.
I'll never go back to shaving (I used to have to shave everyday as well). My sister is like me and she's just starting laser hair removal. She's doing lower leg, bikini, underarm and upper lip. I think she's paying about $3500 canadian (they had a special on!). If hers works, I may consider it in a year or so.
Cheers,
Susan
I have thick, dark, coarse hair as well and really, as bad as it is to let the hair grow out, waxing makes a HUGE difference in regrowth. I waxed for about 8 months and now when my hair grows back it's much finer and lighter (really!). I did hate having to wait till it was long enough to wax, and that doesn't really work in the summer, so I recently purchased an epilator (Braun Silkepil Xell). I had the first generation epilady, but it took forever, wasn't super effective and hurt like heck. The new one works awesome and I do my legs about once a week just to get the few stray hairs that pop up (and even those are way less noticeable because they're so much finer). I would highly recommend going through a few cycles of waxing first as I think using an epilator on LOTS of coarse hair would be too painful. If you're considering trying it, wait until the fall then get waxed, let it grow out, wax again and then start epilating. Oh, you do have to exfoliate a lot with either waxing or epilating as you tend to get ingrown hairs if you don't.
I'll never go back to shaving (I used to have to shave everyday as well). My sister is like me and she's just starting laser hair removal. She's doing lower leg, bikini, underarm and upper lip. I think she's paying about $3500 canadian (they had a special on!). If hers works, I may consider it in a year or so.
Cheers,
Susan
Nancy,
But it is the shaving that makes it worse. I did have thick coarse hair when I was shaving, but waxing reduces that problem, I promise promise promise you. Shaving makes it worse. It will take a few waxing sessions, but over a year you will surprise what a difference it will make. The reason you have this problem is probably because you spent so many years shaving.
The hair that grows back doesn't have that stubbly feel to it, it grows back much finer and no stubbly. It's much natural the way the hair grows back. If you have hair on other parts of the body that you don't shave then it will be more like that.
I think you should go into a salon have them do it for you. The wax there is more effective that the wax that you buy to do at home, they will get rid of all the hairs. Over time it will take longer for the hair to grow back, so you don't need to fuss over it for 4-6 weeks.
You probably will get other problems like in-grown hairs, but as Susan said effoliating will reduce that problem. I also noticed (think) that the underarms were a lot less smelly with waxing, probably because coarse hair traps more moisture. But this is just what I experienced, it is not a fact.
Try it and see.
Yen
But it is the shaving that makes it worse. I did have thick coarse hair when I was shaving, but waxing reduces that problem, I promise promise promise you. Shaving makes it worse. It will take a few waxing sessions, but over a year you will surprise what a difference it will make. The reason you have this problem is probably because you spent so many years shaving.
The hair that grows back doesn't have that stubbly feel to it, it grows back much finer and no stubbly. It's much natural the way the hair grows back. If you have hair on other parts of the body that you don't shave then it will be more like that.
I think you should go into a salon have them do it for you. The wax there is more effective that the wax that you buy to do at home, they will get rid of all the hairs. Over time it will take longer for the hair to grow back, so you don't need to fuss over it for 4-6 weeks.
You probably will get other problems like in-grown hairs, but as Susan said effoliating will reduce that problem. I also noticed (think) that the underarms were a lot less smelly with waxing, probably because coarse hair traps more moisture. But this is just what I experienced, it is not a fact.
Try it and see.
Yen
I can't wait to get my evaluation! I'm calling my derma. dr. Thanks for that input! Never even thought of asking him! But, I think I'd feel so much more comfortable with a dermatologist.
I'll see what the cost is....as of right now, arm pits I really want done! I have to shave every day! I'm tired of it! Would love to do my bikini area too, but, $$$.
For those who have had it done.....if you don't mind me asking, how much should I expect to pay?
Alicia
I'll see what the cost is....as of right now, arm pits I really want done! I have to shave every day! I'm tired of it! Would love to do my bikini area too, but, $$$.
For those who have had it done.....if you don't mind me asking, how much should I expect to pay?
Alicia