Laser hair removal

[Tom Swierzbinski]

OK, so Im getting sick and tired of my body hair. I want most of it off - stomach, back, forearms and feet. Yes, I am a pretty hairy person lol. Anyway, just wondering if anyone on the boards has had LASER hair removal, and what their experience is? Prices? Pain? Worth the time? (not that bothered about the pain to be honest)

[birdgirl73]

Yes, yes, yes! I've had it. Had it on my legs so I don't have to shave them anymore. I don't know how much it runs where you live, but here that was about $425. I think the prices might be lower now. I've also had it on my bikini line and underarms. Each of those procedures was $75. I'm not a very hairy person, so in someone who is, like a guy, it might be lots more. I don't know how they price these services in Great Britain.

In the U.S., laser hair removal is not exactly a bargain because it's a purely cosmetic procedure, so of course the providers profit off it in a big way just like they do with Botox and Restylane and the other sorts of things.

I must say, it was not a pleasant experience. They use this conduction gel to help the laser see the hair follicles and travel smoothly over the skin, and I'd liken the sensation to a rubber band popping hard against the skin, over and over, across every inch of skin you're having the hair removed from. However, when it's over, you're smooth as a baby's bottom and never have to shave or feel self-conscious again! I think if you have it done under the auspices of a physician of some sort, they can prescribe some numbing lotion or cream for you to use on your skin beforehand so the laser blasts don't feel so sharp.

[Tom Swierzbinski]

Cheers for the quick reply Birdgirl, the site that got me interested in the hair removal is sk:n | uk specialist skin, body, and laser clinics (http://www.sknclinics.co.uk)
Ive sent them an email asking to get in contact with me, as I am interested in this. I have some excess flab, but thats not what Im bothered about when its hot and I want to walk topless. Its just the mass of hair; like I said Im hairier than the average person! And just to be on the safe side, Ill set myself a budget of £200 for the areas I want done. Hopefully it will be less than that now, who knows I might even get a discount because of my benefits!

[birdgirl73]

Good luck with it, Swiz!

[Reefer Rogue]

Interesting, let us know how it goes, this could be handy for my ass hair =/

[FakeBoobsRule]

I'm a guy and I've had it done. I first had it done in 2000 and the lasers in 2000 were like terraforming. They gave me an anesthetic cream and it was slightly uncomfortable. One time I didn't use enough cream and it was painful. Birdgirl used the hot rubber band analogy but that still doesn't quite describe how it felt. I have a high tolerance for pain so I took it well and it was all worth it.

Fast forward to 2006. One of my ex-girlfriends started running a hair removal clinic so I got some more done. The lasers have improved greatly and pain has been reduced to almost nothing, absolutely nothing. Like one out of every 100 shots might sting.

Hair doesn't always grow, it has a dormant phase. For the laser to destroy a hair follicle, it must be in the active growing phase so it takes about 6 sessions spaced 10-16 weeks apart to remove all the hair from a body part. AFter each session though you loose some hair and some of the hair will get thinner so you should see results during the whole process. You won't have to wait till the last session to see results. Medium colored skin with dark hair responds very well while blonde hair or red hair people should really do their research. There are many different manufacturers of lasers now and not are all created equal. Only some brands will remove blonde or red hair. You will want to avoid tanning for 2-4 weeks before the procedure and for about a week after the procedure you will want to avoid sunlight.

I was talking about the different brands earlier and this can affect price greatly because you will get what you pay for. Some places will use cheap lasers that might still hurt slightly but better than in 2000. I have seen full body packages in my city go for $1900 and I have seen it as high as $18,000. Yeah that is a big divide but that place for $18,000 really has the best lasers in the industry but I have also seen those same expensive lasers the $18,000 clinic at other clinics for a fraction of the price, around $5000. So it helps to do some research regarding the different clinics in your area. Also, you can negotiate the price because, well here anyway, many of the people that will do your consult work on commission.

A large body part like the back will probably take about an hour each session and you need to shave the body part the day you go in.

Go get some consults done. Most places will do a test patch to make sure you are not one of the small percentage of people who have adverse reactions and that way you can see what you are getting into.

Vanity, :thumbsup:!!!!!

[cannabis campbell]

From what i know they dont hurt but they are quite expensive

if its a big issue for you then its definately worth the money.

[meta1militia]

it was HORRIBLY painful man. i got it on my face, because i had to shave almost twice a day. i got it when i was 15, and it cost about 500$. i got it for christmas... but my hair STILL didnt stop growing after 5 procedures. i do have bald spots tho. i might go and get the rest of the procedures done soon. the thicker the hair, the more painful it is. especially on the face.