To ask about laser hair removal

[Mrsgogginsthe3rd]

Sorry very much posting here for traffic but need some IRL experiences before I take the plunge.

I’ve been researching it for a while and have narrowed it down to two clinics to have a consultation with and know all about the different types of laser and also that I’m an ideal candidate given my pale skin (in winter) and dark corse body hair (hence my desperation!). What I’m missing is speaking to anyone who’s actually had it done.

I’m thinking of getting bikini and my legs ankle to 2/3 up done.

What are people’s experiences? I’d especially like to know if anyone with sensitive skin has had it done. My skin can be a bit reactive - e.g takes me about a 5/6 days to recover from a bikini wax.

Had bikini and legs done about 10 years ago. Haven't looked back since!

I had no reaction. Maybe a bit of redness for a day but I kept area clean with unperfumed soap and some aloe Vera gel to sooth the area

Had 6 sessions per area and have had zero growth back in bikini area and maybe 1% in leg area if that.

Go for it!

Excellent, just what I wanted to hear @Qwertyguerty 👍🏻. How long did it take you to have 6 sessions?

Hi there! I can hand on heart say that lasering was life changing for me! The hottest day of the year when you wanted to swim was always the day before my waxing appt and I resembled a yeti! I had my extended bikini line done about 10 years ago and have needed a top up once in that time for 4/5 hairs that re-sprouted. I had very tough hair there and found waxing agonising and also suffered quite a lot from ingrown hairs.

Go somewhere proper with medical people (not unqualified beauticians) as these are really strong, medical grade lasers - you want the full on nurse/protective eye wear experience. Good luck!

Hi Exactly what @CoraPirbright said! Go somewhere proper with medical people (not unqualified beauticians) as these are really strong, medical grade lasers - you want the full on nurse/protective eye wear experience.
I had my face and full legs done a couple of years ago and it's absolutely brilliant! I'm also pale (type 2 skin) with dark, coarse hair which is apparently ideal. As a word of advice, ensure that you are well hydrated, take painkillers about 30 mins before your first couple of sessions, and don't book an appointment within the few days before your period is due - if that's something you have to deal with I learned these things the hard way. My first couple of appointments were excruciatingly painful - I was told it would be like being snapped with a rubber band. This was a lie. I have a pretty good pain threshold but this far, far exceeded it. I was shaking so uncontrollably from the pain that they had to stop after every 6 'shots' or so. My face was okay but legs were awful to begin with. It was so much easier around the third appointment - similar to leg waxing pain by then.

Do it!!!

It’s the best money I’ve ever spent. I’m mixed race with fairish body hair so not an “ideal” candidate but it worked immediately for me.

I have really sensitive skin and had no reaction at all, seconding the use of aloe Vera gel to soothe straight after.

The best laser imo is the soprano ice, I don’t feel it at all and it’s given best results out of everyone I know.

Enjoy

I’ve had it done although not had results as good as PP. While I was having the laser sessions the results were good, but since completing the course there has been some regrowth. Much less than before but still.

It was a proper laser in a clinic. I’m now considering something like a lumea to top up at home.

I had legs and bikini line done about 15 years ago. It was the best thing ever. I did not have 6 sessions but it was fine. I have super sensitive skin. It would take a week before I had recovered from waxing rashes and I got terrible ingrown hairs from both waxing and shaving. It hurts a lot less than waxing and the redness goes away in a few hours. I didn't get any skin reaction and no ingrown hairs from lasers.

Be warned that you may have to have a “top up session” every year or so to keep your skin smooth. I got my chin done at a sk:n clinic about 4 years ago. I haven’t had any top ups and about 50% of the hair has returned.

I'd say go for it, BUT it might not work as well as some of the pp have stated.

I had a full 12 session cycle on my face but I still have to top up every four months. I also have to wax the white/fair hairs as these don't come out with the laser.

Legs might be different - I haven't tried them, but my 25 years of waxing with no diminution of hairiness would suggest it's going to be similar for me so I haven't bothered.

I have sensitive skin and I have to be honest, it hurts. But I was NHS funded because it was so awful so it might just be the hormonal blessings that made it so. Use pure aloe vera on it - it works brilliantly and decreases the sunburnt effect.

Bikini line done 10 or so years ago. Have to pluck few stray hairs now but still largely hairfree.

Legs not so successful (finished earlier this year) but just need the odd shave every few weeks and much much smoother than regrowth from waxing/ shaving.

Currently having armpits done and very pleased. Shave maybe once a week or less (whereas every few days before) and this is after 2 sessions.

6 blocks each session at Skin or similar salon.

Pricey, painful but worth it. Have pale skin and dark hair.

Following with great interest, I'm booked in for an initial consultation on Wednesday!

Mrsgoggins

It was so long ago I don't really remember, maybe 4-6 weeks between? Wasn't fast but I was fine with that!

I agree with painkillers beforehand too. I did find it painful but it's so quick

I also did my upper lip, also 6 sessions, zero regrow this but then I was prime candidate with my pale skin and thick black hair

Anyone on here had it done and have natural blonde hair and pale skin please?

Had the edges of my bikini line done in a salon about ten years ago. It took a series of 6 sessions (£180 back then) and was only the bits that would show around a swimsuit, not a full Hollywood. It didn't hurt, although it got a bit hot! Has never come back.

Life changing.

And honestly no where as painful as a pp said. Just a bit stingy.

I’m confused by all the posters that have said laser is painful!

Soprano ice is literally painless and supposedly one of the best results too.

I was told by multiple different laser people that it doesn't work terribly well on your face (I was enquiring about having my mustache done). But it worked well on everything else. One thing to note is that the laser will temporarily fade freckles (I'm guessing it's the same for dark skin), so I had a bit of a checkerboard pattern on my legs which were tan and freckly when I had the sessions done. It faded within a few weeks.

I have had my upper lip and chin done but it just free back, maybe not as thick. I am seriously considering the lumea, expensive but over time it would be cheaper than a salon. Has anyone had any luck with that??

I had it done about 6 years ago in a proper medical place on underarms and bikini line, underarms worked great but bikini line I'd need more sessions. I used Emla numbing cream beforehand on bikini area as otherwise it hurt a lot (and I'd been having it waxed for years). Underarms didn't hurt and I was very pleased with results.
Also considering a Lumea for bikini line and legs now.

Bikini line - 6 sessions, not painful, no regrowth in nearly 10 years.

Saving up to do my legs next.

I’m a laser technician and have been for 12 years.

Laser hair removal is fantastic.

Make sure you are having LASER donebthough and not IPL as IPL is less effective in terms of permanence.

Usually you would need to have at least 6 sessions however you will most likely notice a difference in your hair growth after 2/ 3 sessions.

Laser does work well on all skin types but is most effective on fair skin with dark hair.

Laser will NOT work on white hair as the laser works by ‘attacking’ the melanin within the hair follicle. So if the hair has turned white, there is no melanin to attack so therefor no result.

Don’t wax in between treatments.

It’s a myth that you have to do laser in winter. You can have it done anytime of the year however we advise that if you have sessions done during the summer, you must use SPF on the area treated if it’s exposed to the sun as there can be a chance of hyperpigmentation (when the skin turns darker).

Laser is usually very effective in terms of permanence however SOMETIMES, some clients notice a few hairs growing back after a few years. In that case you will need to have a top up session to clear the area again. Usually you would only require 1 or 2 top ups but some clients need 3/4 is they have denser hair.

LASER and IPL is a form of PERMANENT HAIR REDUCTION. Not removal. There are tiny micro-hairs all over the body and it’s a form of protection for the skin. These micro hairs will always be there as they have no pigment and serve a purpose to protect.
However the darker hair that you can see is what will be reduced.

While it may seem expensive to spend so much on laser, it’s a long term investment as if you think about how much money you spend on waxing - it works out to be more than how much you would spend on doing the 6/8 sessions of laser.

Also remember you CAN PAY BIT BY BIT.
The most common thing I always hear my clients say is that they want to save up and afford to have laser done. However you don’t have to pay the whole £2000+ up front - you can pay as you go and it may be more affordable for you and I think it’s better this way as you can see wheather the treatment is working or not.

Laser always works however not every technician is skilled with performing the treatment. So if you find after a few sessions that you don’t see a difference; I would question weather the technician is doing the treatment properly.

Beware of Groupon / wowcher deals as they can sometimes be a scam.
I’ve known some clinics / salons who offer these deals however when performing the treatment; they use the lowest possible setting so essentially your paying for more sessions to get the result you want.

Brilliant thanks so much to those who have responded 👍🏻👍🏻. Seems mostly positive and that o should definitely try it. I hate my legs and I just got so fed up this summer having to wear trousers - if I shave you can still see the dark hair in the follicle and it looks grim plus I get little pimples and rashes as it grows back, then if I wax after about 2 weeks I get horrible ingrown hairs!!! And the bikini management is insane!!!!!

I’m going to two medical places so that’s all good, ones a laser clinic at a Nuffield hospital and the others a private laser and aesthetics clinic near me, it’s been on the go for years and seems to have a good reputation so I think that’s a good sign.