Has anyone had IPL or laser hair removal at a salon?

[Abcd3]

If so, did it work? Were there any negative effects, e.g. scarring? I'm intrigued by the thread on Philips Lumea and wondering whether to get one or whether it would be quicker/more effective to go to a salon. Also, does anyone know which is better, laser or IPL? (For legs, underarms, bikini line.) Thank you! :)

Yes I had laser hair removal at a salon about 12 years ago, It was bloody marvelous. I had bikini and underarms done, since then I had a child which gives a bit more regrowth but I only have about 6 hairs under each arm and a small amount of bikini hair.

I am very pale skinned and very dark hair which was the salon said was a good combination. Up until I was pregnant I had no regrowth at all. It was about £300 I think but worth every penny.

It did hurt, not a burning pain but a sharp stinging pain and took about 5 sessions in all. After the 1st session I used Emla cream from boots to pop on my skin half an hour before which helped tghe pain a lot. One of the best things I ever did!

Wow, that sounds great! Thanks for your reply!

If you don’t mind me asking, did it make your skin red for several days after each session?

I've had salon and dermatologist. Dermatologist was 10x the price but only needed 4 sessions. Legs have a couple of hairs on.

Bikini line I had 15 sessions in a salon without a massive improvement. 4 sessions with dermatologist and it's a vast improvement. I'd probably need another 2 to get it gone.

Face. Less successful, but much improved. I've ended up having electrolysis to finish it and for the white hairs. Effective but unbelievably painful.

The key point is NO SUN. So I'd recommend it as a winter activity to be honest.

Thank you! I wonder what the difference was - do you know whether the dermatologist used a different type of machine?
Re no sun, is that just for a few days after each treatment, or do you have to stay out of the sun for the whole time in between treatments? Thanks!

I had a bit of redness for a few hours. I had mine done over the winter so the sun thing wasnt discussed. I used to get awful ingrowing hairs after having a bikini wax so that was my other reason for doing it, having a bikini wax left me a lot more red and sore than the laser did.

You are more likely to experience scarring if you aren’t white as brown and black skins are more likely to scar. Having said this, however, laser hair removal is also more effective the darker your hair is. So if you are white and have white/blonde/pale brown hair you might be better off on electrolosis.

I wasted time and money doing bikini and underarms as subsequently found out my hair /skin combo is too fair. Only result was burns and skin thickening. It was at a reputable clinic in London.

@habibihabibi That sounds awful! Did your skin recover? Do you think that the burns and skin thickening were because it was done badly, or because of your hair/skin colour combo? I have very fair skin and very dark hair, so hopefully would be a good candidate for it, but don’t know whether there would be the same risk of burns and skin thickening.

I have laser done (groupon is your friend).

I think it depends on the laser. one clinic told me that IPL is a light based treatment which is why it works best on light skin/dark hair. Other treatments are heat based, which works on a wider range of skin/hair combinations.

I think I had laser done in the salon rather than IPL. It cost £2k to do my legs but honestly, was the best thing ever, totally changed how I dress and live my life in the summer. Before, I'd have to shave twice a day to be stubble free, and had the pale skin/dark hair combo.

It bloody hurt though. I came out in welts each time!

I also now have a Lumea which I use to top up on the straggly leg hairs (I was supposed to go for follow up round a year later but never did) and do my bikini/underarm. It's no way near as effective on me but keeps things manageable! It's also painless.

Second what others have said. You have to keep your legs out of the sun for about 6 months I think.

Sun for the whole time as it won't work if you have a tan.

I had laser done at a salon, everywhere from ankles to underarms. Best investment ever. It worked perfectly and I'm sure 12 years later it has paid for itself.

Occasionally I get one or two hairs underarm or in the pubic area, but they are very thin and I just pluck them.

I used to get a bit of redness for a few hours after.

Some areas are clearly very sensitive and it stung a lot. Still worth it

Thanks so much for the info! Fimoing, did the welts leave any scars, and did they clear up quickly? I’m wondering if I would need to keep my legs covered for several days after each session.

The welts went down after a few hours and didn't leave any scars. The therapist who did it had never seen that amount of reaction before.

That’s good to hear. Thank you!