IPL hair removal question

[Bakingnovice]

Has anyone had this done? I had a patch test and go for my first session next week. Just wanted to know if I need to shave before I go or turn up with my, erm, growth visible??

Also, how many sessions are needed per underarm? I've booked 5 and am hoping I won't need more and can move to other areas. In fact, might ask if I can start the other more delicate area next week aswell!

I'm on my second set of sessions. Last year I bought 6 sessions, used 3 on bikini and 3 on underarm. I was wrongly advised, as altho both areas were great to begin with, they soon had re growth. I would suggest 5 sessions per area at least. Also make sure your appts are 6 weeks apart, anything sooner won't be as effective as your hair works on a 3mnth cycle.

Underarms way more painful than bikini as you have bigger glands and nerves in your underarms. Its like someone flicking an elastic band on your skin, nothing you can't handle tho.

You need some re growth, but not alot and don't shave the day before. Therapist will need a few mm to work on that's all.

Best thing I ever did tho. I am now on my last sessions on my bikini line and its all gone and smooth as anything ;)

Thanks. I know I sound ridic but just cannot wait for a smooth fanjo. This could change my life!

A little growth is ok. Just be aware it can sting a bit - somebody told me like a pinging elastic band but IMO much more painful. However had it done over a year ago and so worth it.

can you use numbing cream before treatment? would love underarms done.

Not sure I wasn't offered but in any case only needed 6 treatments (thick hair on pale skin gets best results apparently!)

What does one session consist of? Is it someone moving the light across the whole armpit or both?

The patch test was stingy but not too painful. But I imagine having that sting for ten minutes would be more painful.

BN, "One session" is one appointment where you get all the specified bits done in one go. (I have underarms and brazillian done in one appointment and it's a fantastic treatment). I've strung out 5 appointments over 12 months. That got rid of 85% of the hair. Last appointment was November and it really does need re-doing now, but last year, when I was having the appointments more frequently, I could go 6 to 8 weeks between minor shave touchups.

they should have told you to shave the areas carefully 24hr to 12 hrs before your appointment. Apply a soothing creme after you've shaved so the skin is as calm as possible. Don't shave an hour beforehand, it will hurt more at the time. (Ask me how I know, eeep). I take two paracetamol an hour before, but I'm a complete wimp.

Bear in mind IPL works by heating up the hair follicle and pretty much sizzling the bejasus out of it. So you want the existing hair (which is heated by the laser light) to be shaved as close to the skin as possible. You don't want hair lying on the surface of the skin, as the laser light will heat it up and it'll hurt like hell. Normally if you shave the day beforehand, they will quickly go over the area with a little razor for you to pickup any stubble, it's part of the routine.

It does hurt a bit but gosh it's worth it. I find that my underarms sweat less at the gym for some time afterwards as well which is a bonus. The place I go to puts a lot of cooling gel on the area afterwards, so I wear cheap cotton M&S knickers and yoga pants and go straight home afterwards and get changed, because you always end up with a bit of cooling gel on your clothes.

For the next few days, avoid very hot showers. they should tell you about that at every apppointment and give you a care sheet at your first appointment.

FWIW, I don't like to commit to more than one appointment ahead of time and I certainly wouldn't pay for appointments in advance (what if the place goes bust or you aren't happy with them?) but I'm a bit neurotic about things like that.

Enjoy the smooth effect, I cannot understand why I didn't get it done ten years ago, it's so much nicer than batlling with a razor all the time.