Laser hair removal

[LeslieG]

Just beginning to research this for my upper lip for starters. Can anyone share their experience? Are there better alternatives? I have dark hair and light skin, which I've read is the best candidate for the laser, but there seem to be lots of different systems out there, and I don't know where to begin.

 

[wiigirl]

I did laster hair removal for my arms, legs, and bikini areas. Extremely happy with the results.

 

[CourtneyL]

I got my legs and bikini area done at Ideal Image. I had very thick dark hair and shaving left painful red marks. Now I have either no hair or very thin peach fuzz type hair on the treated areas.

It can be very painful. It hurt most where the hair was very thick.

Ideal Image usually has some good discounts depending on the time of year.

 

[chimilady]

I used to work for a dermatologist at a teaching hospital that did this. They stopped offering this after 2 years because for most people the results aren't permanent. Laser hair removal works for about 6 months to a year, and they found after that the hair starts growing back in, which means pissed off patients. Everyone I know that had it done had it grow back during that timeframe. So if you can afford to drop that kind of money for a short term, then go for it.

 

[rella's fan]

Yes, I did my bikini line a few years ago (approx. 6 treatments over about an 8 month timeframe) - loved it for awhile - now you would never know - totally has grown back to the original.

 

[cookingqueen123]

The key to permanent removal, is going long term. I did two years of treatment at Ideal Image and while the hair isn't completely gone, it's sooooo much lighter. I hardly ever shave now.
I did my brows, underarms full bikini and legs. Worth every penny.
6 treatments is not enough.

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

I went for 2 years going every 6-8 weeks and I loved the results when I was going. Now that it has been 2 1/2 years since my last treatment the hair is definitely growing back again. Very disappointing and a waste of money. I did face, armpits, legs, and bikini.

 

[LeslieG]

Do you think there's a better alternative to laser?

 

[captainjen]

I did electrolosis on my upper lip 30 years ago. Hurt like a son of a gun! But I am still happy with the results. I went about once a month for a year

 

[LeslieG]

Anybody ever try the NoNo?

 

[SueInBoston]

I'm surprised to hear that so many people had hair grow back. I did my underarms 10 years ago with only 3 treatments with absolutely no grow back.

 

[pearlieq]

I have fair skin and dark hair. I had over a year of treatments on my face and upper body and I've had 4 treatments on my forearms. On the whole, it's kind of been a bust. I've noticed no difference in quality or success between the expensive dermatologist's office and the Groupon medispas.

My chin cleared up quite nicely, though I think I got most of the benefit I got out of the first 3 treatments. After that it didn't seem to change much. The cheeks and upper body were totally a lost cause. I noticed no change after a full year of treatments.

I only had a few treatment to my upper lip. It HURT! It was so painful I couldn't continue. Compared to the pain, I decided my 'stache wasn't so bad.

My chin was also quite painful--it felt like I'd been punched in the jaw after my treatments, but it faded with an hour. That pain was bearable and I am happy with those results.

Would I do it again? No, except for the chin. That so far has been successful and has improved my quality of life. Even if I had to get some touch-up treatments a year or two down the road, I'd still be happy.

The catch, of course, is there's no way to know in advance what's going to work for you. If you're going to do it, I'd recommend waiting for a Groupon/Living Social deal at a medispa with decent reviews. That way you're not out too much cash if it's not successful.

 

[imsayin]

I only had a few treatment to my upper lip. It HURT! It was so painful I couldn't continue. Compared to the pain, I decided my 'stache wasn't so bad.

My chin was also quite painful--it felt like I'd been punched in the jaw after my treatments, but it faded with an hour. That pain was bearable and I am happy with those results.

They can change the level on the laser so that it is not as painful and still works. If it hurts too much, I have them turn it down a notch.

 

[JandJ]

I went to my ob/gyn office for it. I did a compete Brazilian, underarms, and the "peach fuzz" on my tummy. It was supposed to be 6 treatments but it ended up being 13 over 2 years. I got the last 7 treatments for free because even on the highest setting I still had hair and I complained. They were very nice about it. I finished last year when the technician sat me down and said "you're very fair skinned with very thin hair and this is as far as we can go." The best removal I got was my underarms. For some reason the hair is darker there. I didn't even attempt my legs because the hair on my legs is so light and sparse. Even if it grows in you can't see it and I only shave my legs about once a month.

I'm very happy with the results. Is all the hair completely gone? No. Did it go from a forest to a small shrub? Yes! I used to have to shave my underarms every day and now I do it once a week and there are so few hairs I don't even need shaving gel, just two sweeps with the razor and done. For me that is a HUGE improvement and well worth it.

I found it hurt less than waxing. For me, waxing hurt for hours after and was still red the next day. Plus, I hated having to let the hair grow out to be waxed (especially my underarms - gross!). They had me at the highest setting and the pain lasted for the second she had the laser on the spot. Twice it was red/sore for a couple of hours after, but not as bad as waxing.

I agree with a PP, if you can get a Living Social or Groupon deal, and it's affordable enough that you won't be kicking yourself if it does't work, go for it, and see if it works for you. You might have great results.

 

[firsttimer2007]

No No did not work at all.

Laser hair removal also a bust although it did work better than the no-no. I am fair skinned with dark hair. It was peach fuzz while treatments were occurring, was treated for 1 1/2 years every 6-8 weeks. Now it is all grown back. Total waste of money.

 

[PatMcDuck]

For me, I get upper lip done when I get my brows done..... at the mall, I get both areas threaded. Works quite well, and less redness and pain than waxing.

For other areas, I have no advice, I just use shaving, but I don't have much hair.

 

[threeboysmom]

Same here. Spent thousands of dollars 3 years ago to get my legs done, and now it is growing back - coming in darker & thicker as time goes on. I've been tweezing the spare hairs (really do not want to go back to shaving) but they're coming in so rapidly now that I can't keep up with it anymore.

Total waste of money and I'm so disappointed. I was under the impression at the time that laser hair removal was permanent.

 

[DisMomme]

Has anyone tried the Me Smooth elos? Any reviews?

 

[mom2alix]

I had six treatments last year and had to have touch-ups this summer, but really minimal hair. Still pretty good results. The nurse did tell me that major hormone changes can result in new growth, so if you have a baby or go through menopause you may have to start all over. She said most people have to come back for one or two treatments a year to maintain. Luckily they seem to run Groupons at least once a year.

 

[skylizard]

Laser hair removal also a bust although it did work better than the no-no. I am fair skinned with dark hair. It was peach fuzz while treatments were occurring, was treated for 1 1/2 years every 6-8 weeks. Now it is all grown back. Total waste of money.

Ditto. For the first few weeks it did look like it had worked. But as time went by it started to all grow back.