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Original poster

Please advise on laser for hair removal

9 replies

yerwan · 26/07/2013 18:26

Lucky me, I have pale skin and acres of dark hair. Apparently I'm a good candidate for laser. Can anyone advise on the best type of laser for hair removal, as I've read that there are different types with varying degrees of success in actually banishing hair for good. Thanks!

OP posts:
Maverick66 · 27/07/2013 16:19

Hi my advice would be to seek out a therapist with a medical grade laser. My daughter had laser done and was entitled to have it done on NHS as she has PCOS. She had 12 sessions done over 2.5 years in a three monthly cycle. She had a problem with facial and chest hair. She now gets maintenance laser done every three months or so at a cost of £60.00 with a laser clinic.laser has been a great success for her. However I would reiterate that a therapist trained in medical grade laser is IMO the best route to go.

Yonihadtoask · 27/07/2013 16:24

O had bikini line done about 9 or 10 years ago. Sorry don't know what type . I paid £80 per session (
Iirc) for maybe 6 sessions?
Later I had underarms done

Was fine, recently started to creep back a bit, nothing a quick strip wax or epilate can't get shut of easily.

It is long term hair reduction.

If I could be bothered I would have top ups, but not really concerned now.

Yonihadtoask · 27/07/2013 16:24

O had bikini line done about 9 or 10 years ago. Sorry don't know what type . I paid £80 per session (
Iirc) for maybe 6 sessions?
Later I had underarms done

Was fine, recently started to creep back a bit, nothing a quick strip wax or epilate can't get shut of easily.

It is long term hair reduction.

If I could be bothered I would have top ups, but not really concerned now.

RoseFlowerFairy · 27/07/2013 16:24

Maverick, how can you get the laser hair removal done on the NHS for PCOS? Will they also do thigh hair?

superbagpuss · 27/07/2013 17:06

hi op can I jump on this thread?

I have a dark upper lip and would like to laser it away but know noone in RL who has done this

I also am vain enough that I don't want anyone to know

any ideas?

Saurus72 · 27/07/2013 21:46

Like you OP, I have pale skin and dark hair. I have PCOS and have had troublesome dark hairs under my chin for about 5 years now, that got progressively worse. I plucked the hairs out, but the problem was the ingrown hairs and inflamed skin, which made me very self conscious. I started having LHR in April at Skin in Bicester (which is closing at the end of July, but there are lots of other branches), and I so wish I'd done it years ago.

I have had 3 treatments so far, and am having my 4th this week. The first treatment removed about 50% of the hair, and it has been getting less each time. I expect the 4th treatment to be my last, at least for a while, as there are very few hairs remaining.

I would definitely recommend it. Just a few things to think about/be aware of. Firstly, you have to not pluck/wax/epilate the hair from the area you want treated for one month before you have your first treatment. You can shave/immac though.

Secondly, there's no getting around the fact that it is expensive. Mine costs £83 per session, and bear in mind it is about 3 square inches. At Skin, they do a fairly heavy sell on a 'treatment package' when you go for the consultation, of 6 or 8 sessions, which does work out cheaper than paying for each session on its own. However, I'm so glad I didn't do this as the hair has virtually all gone after just 3, and I'm sure after my 4th, I will be ok with it, and won't have any more (apart from maybe 1 or 2 sessions a year as a 'top up'.

Sorry, mammoth answer! But yes, I would totally recommend it. Excess hair that you're not happy with is just depressing and sole destroying, and made me feel unbelievably self conscious.

500internalerror · 27/07/2013 21:52

Doesn't it really hurt?

Saurus72 · 27/07/2013 22:33

It isn't pleasant, but I wouldn't describe it as painful. They smear the area with aloe Vera gel, and direct a fan onto it while they are lasering, which for me takes around 30 seconds. The weirdest thing for me is the smell of burning hair after the treatment, but I took that as a positive of them lasering the heck out of the horrible hair. After, they put more aloe on, pus sunblock as you have to use that for the whole duration of your treatments. The skin feels warm for a few hours after, but this can be alleviated by using more aloe vera gel. I haven't ad any other side effects.

Maverick66 · 27/07/2013 22:57

Hi RoseFlowerFairy, my daughter was referred firstly to a dermatologist she was 17.5 years old and she had the equivalent facial hair of a young teenage boy (before they start shaving). She also had a lot of chest hair and thigh hair. Before her GP referred her to the dermatologist she recommended a cream can't remember the name something beginning with V (maybe Vanquin) only available on prescription to slow down hair growth but it didn't work so the next step was the dermatologist he then referred her to Laser Clinic at Ulster Hospital ( we live in NI) they were not permitted to treat her thighs.since having her treatment done she has learned of different friends of friends who also have PCOS and been treated on NHS. She now has a maintenance programme which she pays for privately. Would really recommend laser it has been life changing for her. Hope this helps sorry posting is so long.

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