Is laser hair removal a fad or does it actually work?

Just re shaving - I was reluctant too. I'm having laser on my face and have always waxed up to now. I have reluctantly started shaving instead, and all the fine little hairs have stayed fine / unnoticeable/ not prickly, only the long dark stragglers on my chin and neck can be seen on regrowth and it's not that noticeable - I use those face planing thingies to keep it at bay in between sessions. They are great as you can just do whatever small area you need to, and no need to wet your skin. And quicker / easier than plucking or waxing!

Agreed, but just so disappointing. And surprising because I have a lumea and did see some results with that (but I was inconsistent with it). Might try again.

Oh what a shame! At least they were honest about it rather than take your money knowing it might not work.

Well I had my consultation and despite having pale skin and dark hair, it's unlikely to work on me as the roots of my hairs are white. FFS, I really thought I'd found a perfect solution to the irritation of shaving and waxing!

I've been contemplating it for my upper lip, but it involved a lot of sessions. So not sure.

I had it over 20 years ago, I’m fair with dark hair, I completed 8 out of the 10 sessions. I had little to no regrowth for years and when I did it was very thin. I’m peri now and have more regrowth but I was warned that could happen.

My pain threshold was higher back then but it still bloody hurt.

i always wondered if I’d completed the sessions if the regrowth would have been even less.

I had laser on my bikini and underarms approx 6 years ago and was massively successful. They did stress at the time that it’s never going to 100% remove hair and a yearly top up is usually recommended. I got it done in Thérapie and they state they use medical grade lasers. I have olive skin ahd dark hair and took 6 underarm and 10 bikini treatments to be hair free but best thing I ever did. My underarms has never grown back but bikini definitely needed a top up every 6-12 months. They did explain that due to hormones it can be stubborn. When I say grows back it was far finer and lighter than the Brillo bush I had prior to starting. So the minute a few hairs started to pop up I’d book a top up.

So I decided this year rather than continue to spend the money going to the clinic I’d buy a cheapie IPL machine and see how I get on. It was less than €100 on Amazon and it’s phenomenal. I’ve done my arms, legs, face and bikini and am now completely hair free. I now do the whole body once every few weeks. Probably takes 15 mins but less time that I’d spend driving to the clinic

I had it done 18 or so years ago. Post kids and especially now I am on HRT bits have grown back but still so much less hair than before. I am now having laser top ups. And I have dark hair and olive skin so am not ideal candidate. I only had five sessions before and it’s lasted really well. Genuinely one of the best things I have done for myself as saves time and effort and self consciousness. Have offered to my DC but legal limit is 18 years or older and not quite there yet.

Yes it’s very important to stress this. IPL done at home is no where near as powerful as professional lasers. They are two entirely different systems.

And then on top of that, there are different types of laser machines. I have light olive skin and very dark body hair. As I mentioned further up thread, I did soprano on my arms and there was no difference. I then did ND YAG full body and I’m still hair free 10 years later (I had some regrowth in the Hollywood area whilst pregnant and still have hairs on my face but it’s a huge improvement compared to when I had actual side burns).

Some stores will advertise IPL as laser, and some stores will do laser but use one of the not so good machines, or not use the right frequency for tone and hair (hence why many posters above who have spent a fortune on laser have had poor results). It’s really important to do your research on whether the professional you choose has the right machine for you.

I’m the exact same. Biggest waste of money I’ve spent. I’m decaying the Philips remover. Can anyone recommend which one you sent for as there are a few, 7000, 8000?! X

Proper laser is pro only. IPL isn’t the same thing at all.

It worked for me. Thick black body hair, and 15 years later I only have a few sparse hairs wherever I was zapped.

It doesn’t stop menopause coming along and recarpeting you, but comparing my body/facial hair to various relatives I’d say I’m still much better off.

Six hairs in one armpit, eight in the other. I was thatched before.

Hi op my bikini line good. Lip area felt it grew back. Somebody said therapie machines are old now so am not sure.. it alot of money for re growth. That was my experience

Listen to this, it might help clear things up for you!
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002vcb2

I had my legs, armpits, bikini done and 95% gone. Best investment ever. Every couple of years I have a hair finding session before the summer, job done.

It could work perfectly and also be a fad.

Lumea Prestige IPL hair removal device
BRI953/0

But! I wouldn't bother getting cordless unless it's absolutely essential for where you use it. Corded flashes a lot quicker than when it's on battery so it takes less time. And don't worry about all the different heads. Basically really you only need the big one, and maybe a little one (face) at a push, if you're planning on doing that area. Using the big head gets it done quicker.

Can I ask which one you use please? Some of them appear to cost several hundred pounds 😳

I use an at home one. I haven’t shaved my armpits in weeks now!! Leg hair is mostly gone apart from bits on my knees that just won’t go, and bikini line nearly gone.

No you can’t shave or pluck it in between it’s actually quite annoying but it works long term. I had a full beard and now I have a few strays, it was worth it

I am like you, 5 O’clock shadow by lunch time!

I had Soprano laser on my armpits and bikini line. It needed 10-12 sessions but worked! I am pale olive with dark hair. Local salon in south East and it cost a lot.

I also have the Philips Lumea which massively reduced the legs. And the Moustache!

But now I’m doing a course of six on the legs with a clinic called Therapie and they have loads all over so have a look, you might have one? I think it is £350? I can’t report back yet as have only had one session but it has definitely slowed. It is a different laser but Google says same results as the Soprano and it was cheaper so I’m giving it a go.

Which region are you in? I bet there is a Therapie near you.
https://therapieclinic.com/locations

I had IPL on legs and bikini line about 20 years ago. Never returned