Laser hair removal - how many sessions should it take?

[toucancancan]

I've been getting laser hair removal on my bikini line for about 16 months. So far had seven appointments. I'm not so impressed with the results I do think the hair growth looks like it's slowed down, and the odd patch has no hair. What would you expect 7 sessions in?

I've had 3 sessions on my bikini and 3 on my underarms. Underarms are basically hair free, bikini not so much! I think because it's such thick coarse hair it can take longer. Having said that, I'd expect a v significant reduction after 7 treatments!

Yeah, kinda lost momentum as so many sessions have been cancelled with the lockdown but am definitely a bit disappointed

I bought an IPL machine instead its great about 300 quid

I had 8 sessions of a Hollywood a few years ago and I’m not impressed at all. It was maybe 70% gone for a while but a year later I was back to waxing regularly.
I complained about it once to the waxing lady and she said my hair was so thin and patchy she actually thought they’d done a good job but the point was I didn’t want to have to wax anymore!

I’m 6 sessions into underarms and there are patches of no growth where the laser gets, but the other areas are still hairy. I think she needs to change where she aims the laser so I’ve taken photos to show her next time.

My friend had 7sessions on underarms a S barely any growth now, and 7 sessions on bikini with good results but still some patches.

Okay, think I will take some photos so I can track hair loss.

There’s a few things to be considered here. 7 sessions across 16 months is not effective. With laser treatment you need to carefully plan your sessions around your hair growth, something salons don’t tell you which bugs me. That is a big part of why you may not have seen as much of a reduction as you’d like to have seen.

Also, some places the hair needs a significant amount of sessions. Also depends on your hair colour, thickness growth etc, so a lot of factors.

I would recommend you put that money towards buying a Phillips Lumea - does the trick and much better than depending on salons

Yes, I need to go every six weeks, so have been going (when able) six weeks apart each time. Have four sessions left to get. Will research the Lumea as it sounds like a better investment

If I use the Lumea/IPL on my bikini line do I have to shave before using it?

I usually wax but obviously lockdown has got me looking at other options. Shaving really irritates my bikini line but the FAQs say you have to shave before using IPL.

Think you do have to shave yes. Actually hair removal is a good lock down project

Definitely laser OP or IPL ?

I had laser on my bikini line and underarms about 15 years ago. I had, I think, 6 sessions which pretty much eradicated the hair. About 8 or 9 years later I had some stragglers regrow and went for some IPL treatments. I found that very ineffective and waste of money. Didn't really make much difference. The first laser sessions I had were painful and sore - as opposed to the IPL which felt like nothing .

Now I just leave the fine regrown hairs until I need to tidy up for a beach holiday - there isn't enough to annoy me.

When I had laser the therapist showed me a timeline of hair growth with increasing periods of time between appointments, in order to hit each new growth cycle. If you go at the same interval each time I don't know if you'll have got them all.

Definitely laser with a UK wide clinic.

Is your hair really dark?

I had about 6 sessions (I think maybe 8 it was a few years ago) and every hair is gone on my bikini area 'sides'.

Had my legs done too and there is hardly any hair on them either. After 7 sessions there should be a massive reduction!

I've done a lot of research on laser treatment.

1. First of all laser isn't permanent hair removal. It slows the growth, thins it, some hair doesn't grow back but other hair does.
2. Laser needs regular ongoing treatment 1; 2 5 years on
3. Get a Philips Lumea - it's far cheaper in the long run
4. You need to target hair in the "growth" stage so shaving then laser 2 days later is the optimum time