Laser hair removal - is it worth it and which area do you start with?

[cleanandclothed]

Am considering this. Fair skin and dark hair. Do you recommend it, or should I steer well clear? And which area of the body do you start with?

Bump?

I am half way through a course of treatment for upper lip and chin. That's 6 treatments in all - £500 smackers (a 40th Birthday present from my mum). So - not cheap, but really doing the trick.

You have to go back monthly, because each hair is at a different phase of growth. You have to use sunblock on the area you are having done so the skin won't burn. The treatment stings a bit but is not unbearable (they increase the strength each time you go to catch the lighter and finer hairs)

Where are you considering having it done ?

If I had the money - I might consider armpits - I think it would work well there as the hair is so dark (I'm also dark with fair skin -the best combination for it to be successful)

I have PCOS and would consider this if I had recommendations.

I have hideous pubic hair on the insides of my thighs and back of my legs. VILE.

have to go for now, but will come back later to answer any questions.

To summarise - I am very glad I'm having it done on my face. No more feeling self-conscious. In a ideal world I wouldn't have all the other body hair I've got, but frankly I don't have enough money to do anything else

Having mine done at Sk:n (they have branches all over the place), on the recommendation of other MNers

Friend has PCOS and was hirsute. Had hers done abroad and was much cheaper than here.

Would consider having bikini line and lower legs done as that's a complete faff.

Yes, Bikini line might be worth it, because the alternatives are quite difficult/painful

I am about to book to get my tache done.
Am watching iwth interest

Something which may surprise you SixtyFoot, is that you have to shave the area 24 hours before you have the laser treatment, as the hairs have to be visible but short. It feels a bit weird shaving your tache,,,,

Oh god I feel like a bloke as it is
I normally wax but have started getting ingrown hairs ( how delightful)

You can use hair removal cream in-between, but they need to see some hair there. It has worked really well for me so far. All the darkest hairs gone, and you can't really see the remainder.

work out the cost over ten years of hair removal. then look a tt he cost of lasering, it suddenly seems cheap.

Can you really use hair removal cream in between? I looked into it about 10 years ago and was put off by being told the only option was to shave in between treatments. Would definitely consider if there were other options in between.

Are there any possible unpleasant side affects does anyone know? I'd love to say farewell to my bikini line forever..

Apologies for highjack.

Ooh thank you. I was considering armpits first, just on the basis that it seems like small ish but significant area, and also stops me being quite so 'spontaneous' about wearing short sleeve/sleevless tops.

snickersnack - i'm pretty sure they said you can use hair removal cream in-between, but let the hairs grow enough in the days before the treatment. I have opted not to do this (and, actually, the worst hairs went so quickly that I didn't need to and shaving is OK), because I find that cream dries out my upper lip and I didn't want to risk having a sensitivity reaction.

Sazisi - one risk of side effects is redness and lumps that don't go down, but they do a skin test before you begin, and you also have to have another one if you have been exposed to sun and the skin has coloured, so they can get the right intensity of the laser.

She also told me a very very small number of people get increased hair growth - she's only seen it once in about 8 years

I'd phone up Sk:n and ask them any questions about other side effects

As I say, I have had no problems - redness for a couple of hours after the treatment (face)

I would be interested in finding out more, really would. Have considered this for a while now but don't know anyone who has had it - all my friends claim they don't have enough hair to do it and that they never wax their bikini lines etc etc. Bizaare but obviously have very hairless friends!

Doodleydoo - I have all my life been the hairiest person in the room. If I had the money I'd do my whole body but about £2000 and very time-consuming.

Having to shave your legs every single day is such a pain. I can't wax because there's no way I could leave the hairs to grow long enough to wax, between treatments

I'm having it done at the moment for chin hair. £50 per session at a local independent salon (SW London) and it's doing the trick. You may find a good independent salon is cheaper than a chain.

After two sessions there's a noticeable decrease. I trim the remaining ones with scissors as didn't want to shave - was worried that may encourage other non-problem hairs to come back thicker. I'm fair skinned and dark haired. I have some thick hairs on chin which have gone grey so will have to have them removed with electrolysis. The laser woman says I can't do that until at least three months after laser treatment has ended but I pluck them out in the meantime.

I'm now considering having bikini line/upper legs done as I spend a bit having them waxed and lasering would be much more cost effective over time.

It is a bit uncomfortable but not as bad as upper lip electrolysis or lower leg waxing - they are both AGONY for me!!!

Good luck - I wish I'd done it much much earlier but am glad I've got round to it.

i have heard good things about skin, i need chin and tache.