Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Laser hair removal

27 replies

LondonMiss · 29/05/2021 17:34

I know we have some old threads on this!
My under arm hair is hell! I could shave it daily and it grows in different patterns so always ends up sore!
I’m looking into laser hair removal and wanted to know of some experiences? As I have to go in monthly for my underarms I’m considering Bikini but don’t know if this would be to painful!

OP posts:

Mellonsprite · 29/05/2021 17:42

From experience moustache was the most painful. I had all over face and neck and underarms and arms 10 years ago. I barely felt underarms. Not sure about bikini though.
recently bought a lumea to do top ups myself but it’s lasted really well.

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 29/05/2021 19:57

I had bikini line done many years ago - best thing I ever did! I have the dreaded combination of fast growing very course hair and sensitive skin and never got on with shaving, waxing or creams. The treatment was no worse than waxing and I would fully recommend laser hair removal to anyone!

Elouera · 29/05/2021 20:37

I had 1 professional laser session when a friend was training there. I also bought a braun silk effect IPL. Both these work best with pale skin and dark, but some machines can be used on more tanned skin.

I had underarm and bikini done by the laser. I used emla, a local anesthetic numbing cream on beforehand. You can buy this online. It felt like a rubber band being flicked on my skin, but she could dial the strength up and down as needed. After only 1 session, I found over half my underarm and bikini hair never returned.

My braun machine is the older version. It was expensive, but I liked being able use it whenever I wanted, in the privacy of my own home. I've used it on and off for over 2 years. Underarm hair is down to 1/4 of what I started with and bikini is less. Legs are almost hair free. I think home IPL's now are better. Mine has taken MUCH longer to have any effect that I anticipated, and considerably longer than a salon laser. My version had 2 settings, but some machines just have 1.

FinallyMrsE · 29/05/2021 20:42

I’ve had a braun ipl5 for about 3 months and I bought it on offer in boots and I can honestly say, the best £300 I’ve ever spent, I did it weekly for the first month on legs/bikini/underarm and have done it twice since. I shaved last about a month ago and I could put a costume on and go swimming with zero prep, there is the odd hair but nothing anyone would see. I’m so pleased I bought it.

LittleMachine · 31/05/2021 13:16

I went for my first session this morning - underarm and hollywood. It didn't hurt one bit, but obviously effectiveness remains to be seen. I have PCOS so lots of hair to tackle. Unfortunately, blonde leg hair, so can't get my legs done.

Raindrop12 · 31/05/2021 13:54

The Phillips Lumea Prestige is fantastic. All my underarm hair is gone. It really does work.

Umberellatheweatha · 31/05/2021 18:36

You probably just need to get into the habbit of not shaving it as much and then it wont grow as fast. If you shave every day then you'll have trouble with stubble.

If you can go ten days minimum then shave, then ten more then after that you should easily be able to go three or four days between shaves and they'll be perfectly acceptable. More if you can have days where you dont show off your underarms. Maybe not the best time of year for a reset though.

LadyPeppermint · 31/05/2021 20:55

Today i had session 5 of laser on my underarm and bikini line. Started seeing a difference on my underarms from the first session and on my bikini area from about session three. It doesn't hurt, it's over very quickly and it's working 🙂. My underarms are now pretty much bald.

There are some great deals around at the moment. I got 6 sessions for underarm and any bikini line for about £174 which is peanuts. This is a reputable chain salon also - happy days.

TaylorStan · 31/05/2021 21:33

Sorry to hijack this thread a bit but I've always wanted laser hair removal but just can't really afford it. I could stretch to the Phillips Lumea thing though. Is it really worth it? I'm
Pale skinned, dark thick hair, very sensitive skin that hated to be shaved and constantly tortures me with rashes.

TaylorStan · 31/05/2021 21:34

@LadyPeppermint that's really cheap! Last time I looked a few years back it was at least £1k for a course I'm sure. I remember being horrified at the cost!

LadyPeppermint · 31/05/2021 21:39

[quote TaylorStan]@LadyPeppermint that's really cheap! Last time I looked a few years back it was at least £1k for a course I'm sure. I remember being horrified at the cost![/quote]
I know! I am delighted with it. It's proper medical grade laser using brand new machines and they still have the same deal on at the moment. I also have a referral link which gets both of us free laser credits if used, but I don't think I'm allowed to post here. Will stick it on the promo codes board in case anyone wants to use it👍🏻

whippitwoowoo · 31/05/2021 21:40

I’m bidding on an IPL hair remover on EBay at the mo.

LadyPeppermint · 31/05/2021 21:42

@TaylorStan

Sorry to hijack this thread a bit but I've always wanted laser hair removal but just can't really afford it. I could stretch to the Phillips Lumea thing though. Is it really worth it? I'm Pale skinned, dark thick hair, very sensitive skin that hated to be shaved and constantly tortures me with rashes.

Btw - this is me! Shaving my bikini line before each session is the only bad bit of the whole experience as I've never in my life been able to shave as the ingrown hairs, rash etc afterwards is so bad. However, it's been sooo worth it for me because the shaving rash has lessened each time for me, to the extent that i can now shave the full area between sessions with no painful, itchy regrowth. Life changing!

DelurkingAJ · 31/05/2021 21:42

I’m afraid I’ve been disappointed (despite for skin and dark hair) both by a et of salon sessions and also by my Phillips Lumea.

Electrolysis worked for me (but was very painful...worth it though to my mind).

DelurkingAJ · 31/05/2021 21:42

Fair skin even

Goldenoodle · 31/05/2021 21:45

Laser was a killer for me!
Very very effective, but incredibly painful (I have a very low pain threshold unfortunately)

I have fair hair and fair skin and have good results.

I believe IPL (light) isn't as effective as true laser. But I do have friends who have the Philips lumiar Ipl thing and they say that's good

Hoppipolla479 · 31/05/2021 21:47

Laser hair removal was a game changer for me as I was either hairy or covered in a rash from waxing/shaving/Immac. Expensive, but utterly worth it (although I think it’s a bit more affordable now than when I had done 8 years ago). I am dark haired and pale skinned so an ideal candidate. It’s more painful towards the end of your treatment when you’ve less hair to zap. I’ve had absolutely everything done, and some areas are worse than others for sure! Armpits not too bad pain wise. I have a top up every 2 years or so. I’d advise not to go when you’re due on, the pain threshold is lower!

Hoppipolla479 · 31/05/2021 21:48

IPL is not permanent removal. Not worth it in my humble opinion.

megletthesecond · 31/05/2021 21:51

I have a love hate relationship with my Lumea. I've had it for almost 6 months and I think it's working now, the hair growth has slowed a lot. Before that I'd waxed for 30 years. However the post laser itching on my legs has made me miserable and kept me awake at night. If it was cheap equipment I'd have chucked it in the bin weeks ago.
The annoying thing is I can't exfoliate as much due to the itching so I'm still getting ingrown hairs.

callmemaybee · 31/05/2021 21:52

I had full body and full face quoted for £3500…is that ridiculously cheap or normal price?

Goldenoodle · 31/05/2021 21:55

@callmemaybee
Sounds expensive.
I had: underarms, lower legs, full bikini for £500. This was on offer '50% off'

TaylorStan · 31/05/2021 22:00

Thank you for the input! I need to do my homework before committing!

Lellochip · 31/05/2021 22:14

I've got my 3rd session at the weekend, though only 2nd with a proper laser (the first was apparently IPL though it was sold to me as laser)

The laser stings a bit around the bikini line, no doubt, but nothing you couldn't handle, and over very quickly. I found the indignity distracted me from the pain anyway

championthewonderhorse70 · 31/05/2021 22:19

I had IPL done years ago. It's fantastic.

I have no underarm hair and a neat bikini line.

It doesn't hurt it a quick flash which is over so fast you don't process it as painful. Best money I ever spent

Alternista · 31/05/2021 22:27

It’s fab! I have an at home machine and 95% of the hair is gone now. I spend a few weeks each winter zapping anything that’s managed to regrow and then I’m good for the summer!

Flip

1 2