Laser hair removal - experiences please!

[beautyrookie]

I'm booked in for a patch test for laser hair removal and wanted to hear some experiences of it. How long did it take to see results? Did it hurt? Was it worth it?

I wanted to get full body but the thought of shaving my entire body in order to get laser puts me off as I would never ordinarily shave my back or stomach etc. Don't think I could even reach my back!

So I'll be getting my legs, underarms and bikini (thinking brazillian or hollywood bikini).

Would love to hear everyone's thoughts and experiences.
It's one of those where I wonder why more people don't just get it done as it's pretty much a one time cost with minimal top ups in the future, right? So maybe I'm missing something?

The one-time cost can vary a lot depending on location (beauty salon vs proper clinic) and type of laser (IPL vs actual lasers) so it can be pretty extortionate. I guess you don't know if the results will be worth it til you've commited either, so it's an expensive gamble.

I'm just finishing up a course though and I'm pretty happy. Legs are 95% clear after 6 sessions, I don't shave them anymore, and more importantly for me, it means no more ingrawn hairs/scars (my main reason for getting it done, didn't particularly mind shaving)

Armpits had a couple more sessions, but they're also clear now. I have 2 or 3 more left for bikini line, that is proving more stubborn on certain spots. Hoping that I'll get to the no-shave point with that too, but I'm not the darkest haired person so who knows.

Overall pleased I did it, can get my legs out now! But it was pricey, and yes it hurts, but nothing you can't cope with for the few minutes it takes.

@Lellochip Does it hurt a lot or just a little? I'm used to both waxing and epilating and would like to think it won't be worse than that?

For me, I get a lot of ingrown hairs and dark follicles no matter what I do so I'm hoping laser will get rid of all that and I'll have smooth flawless legs!

I had full fanny about 6 years ago. Use emla an hour before. Its embarrassing but I now have 4 hairs, even the bumhole pubes are gone. I know mn call paedo to husbands of women who do this but he didn't have a choice. I have not had any infections or issues and periods are so much better. Just wipe clean rather than the whole blood in pube thing. You wee on yourself for ages until you get used to it but I just think about all that wee being on the hairs. Have not read the full thread so if this is not a part of what you are asking, sorry

Less painful than waxing or epilating

I had mine done about 20 years ago. I started with full leg, then added underarms and bikini line.

I paid for 6 sessions on all these areas, but the salon closed after I’d had 4 (or 5) on my legs and 2 or 3 elsewhere. I was given a generous refund for the unused sessions.

My legs are hairless even now. It’s great that I never have to think about removing hair from there. As to underarms and bikini line, I wish I’d not bothered. It looks worse to have sparse hair than full, in my opinion, and is no quicker to remove by waxing etc.

Laser was slightly painful as it was happening, but far less than electrolysis.

My take would be do it, but only if you’re going to commit to most if not all the sessions.

The machines will have improved since I had it done.

@Theydidntwin I will definitely commit to doing it if I'm forking out the money for it haha. I'm just dreaming of a life where I can go on an impromptu trip and not worry about having to remove my hair beforehand. Or worry about taking razors/epilator away with me all the time. I always find my underarms never look completely clear either.

Did it not work as well on your bikini line and underarms then? I've heard underarms is one of those places that it works really well on to clear everything.

It has never grown back for me

I'm with Thedoghouses and her comments. I've found that the thickest hairs have gone permanently. With your back, ask the clinic to shave it for you or get someone to do it for you at home. The hair won't grow back so much after the first session. Some parts are a little uncomfortable, but not excruciating. Just choose a reputable clinic that offers laser (not IPL) and go for it! EMLA cream isn't recommended with laser btw, you risk damaging your skin if you can't feel the intensity of the laser due to the cream.

It didn’t work for me and I supposedly have the ideal skin/hair colour combination!

Had 6 sessions on legs, bikini, armpits. Legs never worked that well tbh as my hairs are on the fair side of brown. Armpits were hairless after about 5 but 6 months later about 50-60% grew back. I told the clinic and they gave me some more sessions free. Again the same thing happened - 6 months clear then all back.

you wouldn’t know I’ve had it on my bikini either - it looks the same as ever.

my experience doesn’t sound that common but ouch what a waste of ££££££

Yes, it is great never to have to wonder whether my legs need a quick wax/shave. Think of all the time I’ve saved, too.

The bikini line and underarm didn’t work properly because I only had ?3 sessions before the salon closed, and at the time I didn’t know where else to go.

I have quite dark hair and pale skin, which helps.

I'm Arabic and had very course and abundant pubes

I've had bikini line and armpits done. Very minimal pain just like an elastic snapping bit new machines are probably better. Had it over 20 years ago and it's never come back

I have seen results, I'm not hair-free. First of all you need to check what kind of laser they use. It's the alexandritis and soprano ice, the ipl is horrible, better just shave them.

I saw amazing results in armpits, actually after 2-3 times I saw huge difference, then bikini, legs were the hardest for me I thinink I needed like 15 appointments but I had to follow the schedule they gave me.

I've found two places near me. One offers soprano ice and the other offers epo diode laser. The place that does the epo diode laser is closer to me so will most likely go with them providing all is well.

Yeah I've heard that ipl is much weaker and not much point so I've only been looking at proper laser hair removal and not ipl laser.

I had proper laser on my legs a few years back. Very dark thick hair, white skin. Had 6 sessions and it worked amazingly. Now I just have some very fine blonde hairs left and 6 or 7 freak long dark hairs, so I just give a quick shave now and again.

So worth it - it was so hard to keep on top of shaving or waxing, and never looked great with all the bumps and ingrowns and thick stubble quickly growing through, before laser.

@Bdragon ah that sounds like a dream. I really hope laser helps me get rid of the bumps and ingrown hairs. Been dreaming of smooth legs all my life haha. Maybe I can finally feel confident getting my legs out this summer.

I'm so pleased with mine. I used to have to shave every day in the summer as I hated the stubble. I have had 6 sessions over a year and a half and never shave now as even a slight regrowth is really fine. And yes, no ingrown hairs! Amazing.

@Fitterbyfifty this really makes me wish I'd gone and done this sooner as it's nearly summer now! How many sessions until you really notice a difference?

Even after one session I saw a huge difference! Go for it!

I have had laser on my upper lip, had a course of 8 approx 8 years ago and still looks fine, perhaps just starting to need a top up. I have an at home IPL machine for my legs which has greatly reduced the appearance even though I haven’t been doing it for 9 months while pregnant. Would definitely save up for proper laser on my legs/underarms.

Do the hairs fall straight out after the first session? When will I notice it?

I take it I can't exfoliate the day before but should shave the day before?

Had about 6 sessions on my underarms and upper lip 20 years ago before going travelling.
Both are fully hairy again now.

And am pale with dark hair.

Yes you shave beforehand, I wouldn't exfoliate as you don't really want your skin any more sensitive than it needs to be. You don't notice the hairs dropping out really, as you've shaved. Some of them burn off during the laser as well.

Be aware that if you have it done in summer you can't tan your legs inbetween sessions - you have to leave them as pale as possible.

The hairs don't drop out. You shave and then the laser kills the root. I've had my armpits and legs and bikini line done. Armpits are great I need a top up as there are a few stragglers. Legs are ok but I definitely need more sessions. But the re growth is sparser.