Is laser hair removal any good?

[TreacleSoda]

Have been waxing my underarms for years - I can't shave as it brings me out in a rash, I can't use hair removal creams as they bring me out in huge welts. Have been waxing for about ten years, trouble free, but recently the wax has started to bring me out in a rash too.

So, with all this in mind, is laser hair removal worth considering? Is it permanent? Does it work? And also, I think I've read that it works best on very dark hair, but I am fair skinned, pale, and my hair is not all that dark or course (although not blonde).

Or is there anything else I can use to rid myself of underarm hair?

An alternative is the at home laser like the Lumea. The salon ones are higher powered, and the big zap of laser inhibits growth better. For some people that is enough to make them hairfree for a long time. For others, it starts growing back within a year or two. I have the Lumea and I love it. I only have to do a maintainence every 4 week or so, and my skin is so much better than when I wax or shave. Shaving gives me really dry skin, and when I used to wax, my skin went really red.

You can find out if the Lumea can work on your skin by looking at the website. You can also go and visit a clinic and ask if your hair/skin colour can work. I'm sure an initial consultation would be free! But yes, in theory, you need a good contrast of skin and hair colours to make it work.

Hey, I have dark hair and have had laser hair removal (legs, underarms, bikini) ....I had 6 sessions and it worked so well - I don't think you can only have it done with dark hair, if you read the FAQs on here: www.londonpremierlaser.co.uk/laser-hair-removal.php it says it doesn't work on white red or grey hair, but if you have some colour in the hair it will be effective. So from what you've said it should work fine!

I go for odd 'top up' sessions every so often because there is some regrowth but it has dramatically reduced hair growth. And there's the odd patch where there is no re-growth at all. Apparently the laser can only completely destroy hairs in the 'active growth stage' of the cycle which is why it isn't really permanent. Would recommend :)

I had laser hair removal done on my face about 15 years ago and it was the best thing I ever did. I have a little bit of re-growth now I'm going through the menopause but it kept my hair totally hair free for about 10 years. I have fair skin and dark hair.

My Mum had her legs and underarms done. I think she had about 10 sessions on each. She had dark hair. I was v poo pooey about what a waste of money it was.

BUT it is amazing! She is now hair free and doesn't top up. She used to shave everyday.

I am furiously trying to find a way to fund it and trying to ignore my gorilla legs that I don't have time to bother with

It's fantastic! Do it. I got mine off groupon so it was cheap too

I have the LUMEA. Doesn't work for me. I have fair skin and brown hair.

I am in the middle of getting (some of) my unwanted hair laser removed by Soprano, and so far it is BRILLIANT. Have had 2 of the 6 sessions I have booked/paid for, and already a lot of the hair doesn't appear to be growing back, and what is growing back is finer.

I have pale-ish skin and pretty dark hair, so should be an ideal candidate. Understand from my therapist that the Lumea and similar have much less powerful lasers, and are therefore less effective.

thanks everyone. I'll have to get saving and/or look out for Groupon offers then, it sounds like its worth a try.

NewDK - did you send your Lumea back? I thought it was 60 day money back if not happy policy......which is why I was tempted.

Consultations are either just verbal questionaires or physical patch tests, would defo ask for a patch test as my laser treatment did not work at all.

I've been told it doesn't work if u have pcos is this true?