Bikini Laser Hair Removal Question

[suzyp]

I know that some of you have had this done - my question is, how much? I started just getting my bikini line done, but am thinking I should just go for the whole thing (minus a landing strip). But part of me is a little uncomfortable having a laser there (but apparently I am fine with wax!) Just curious if you would recommend it.

[walterismydog]

I had the whole thing done. It doesn't hurt that bad, except in one particular sensitive area.

I don't know if I'd recommend laser or not, though. It did not work for me at all, and after six sessions of it, I think my hair is growing back with a vengeance.

[Deleted]

I want to get this done, but I've heard mixed reviews on how well it works.

[dcannie]

i did what my place called a modified brazilian. i am completely bare except for a small triangle at the top. everything else is gone. this was just my personal preference b/c i don't like the look of being completely bare and a landing strip looks weird to me.

[charlotte]

I am currently doing an extended bikini. I have 2 sessions left, and I'm afraid it's not going to completely get rid of the hair. It's definitely growing back slower, but I still have hair. I think a full Brazilian is usually more expensive? It also depends on how dark your hair is.

I would say try an extended bikini first, and then if you get the results you want, get it all done. I thought about doing the brazilian at first, but I was afraid it wouldn't work and I would have spent all that money for nothing.

[citycougar]

Yeah, I think I'm going back to waxing. Mine is definitely coming back after 4 sessions, so I don't really see the point in doing more. And it hurts, progressively worse as they crank it up each session. I actually think it hurts worse than a good waxer.

[Deleted]

For those of you saying it didn't really work for you and its growing back worse:

What is your skin/hair coloring like? i.e. - pale skin/dark hair, tan skin/dark hair, pale/blonde hair, etc.

Before you got the laser treatment, how fast did your hair generally grow?

ETA: I was hoping to do this myself and now I'm wondering if its even worth it, even if I have the hair/skin combo they say works best (pale/dark hair)

[walterismydog]

Jun 4, 2012 14:50:08 GMT -5 @sweetcuppincakes said:

For those of you saying it didn't really work for you and its growing back worse:

What is your skin/hair coloring like? i.e. - pale skin/dark hair, tan skin/dark hair, pale/blonde hair, etc.

Before you got the laser treatment, how fast did your hair generally grow?

Apparently I was an "ideal candidate" (they said so on my first visit) because I have pale skin with dark hair. The first day, the technician said that I "am one of the lucky ones who might get by with just four or five treatments"...yeah right. Prior to laser it grew fast - like, ideally I would shave every single day. I cannot wax (super sensitive to it). I had six laser treatments and it is WORSE now than it was before. They then said that sometimes it takes up to 10 treatments, but I wasn't willing to pony up even more money for it. I know people who this has worked great for, but I am not one of them. My friend had her underarms done around the same time as me and hers didn't stick, either.

I think the fact that it is so popular and accessible now has lowered the quality and effectiveness.

[Deleted]

Hmm... I've heard quite a few people say it didn't work on their armpits specifically.

I'm the same way, super white/dark hair and it grows FAST which is why I was really hoping laser treatment would be awesome.

At what kind of place did you have it done? Like a salon or a specific laser treatment clinic?

Sorry I'm so nosey, I'm just watching my dreams of near-hairlessness go down the drain and I'd like to know before I throw the money down with them.

[charlotte]

I have pale skin/red hair, but my underarm/bikini grows in brown. The place I'm going to assured me it would work, despite my skin/hair combo. Prior to the laser, my hair grew relatively fast, and I would get painful ingrown hairs. The ingrowns have been decreased dramatically, (probably because I'm not shaving as often) so if nothing else I guess it was worth that!

Luckily, I bought the package on groupon so it was only $200 for both areas.

[walterismydog]

Jun 4, 2012 14:59:56 GMT -5 @sweetcuppincakes said:

Hmm... I've heard quite a few people say it didn't work on their armpits specifically.

I'm the same way, super white/dark hair and it grows FAST which is why I was really hoping laser treatment would be awesome.

At what kind of place did you have it done? Like a salon or a specific laser treatment clinic?

Sorry I'm so nosey, I'm just watching my dreams of near-hairlessness go down the drain and I'd like to know before I throw the money down with them.

I was hoping that laser was going to be my savior, also. I am so so so sick of dealing with hair! I am a beast from the waist down and I hate it!

I'd say it's still worth a shot, maybe if you find a groupon or something? I might be a rarity. I went to a laser-specific clinic.

You're not being nosey!

[dcannie]

so far all of my laser work has held up. my last bikini appt. was just a few months ago but everything else i have had done for over a year (legs) or two years (underarms.)

i had a few friends that laser didn't seem to work for, when they are supposedly ideal candidates. but all three went to ideal images. they are always the ones w/ groupons in our area. i went to a medispa for my legs and arms and a cosmetic derm for my bikini. i really think a lot of it has to do w/ the type and quality of the lasers.

[suzyp]

I've done 3 sessions, just on the bikini line and can definitely see a difference. And the laser doesn't hurt me at all. I go to a spa that uses two different kinds of treatment, so in theory, it will be the most effective that way. I also got a Groupon, so I am only $99 into this thing.

Think I will do an extended bikini though, just feel like I am wasting my time by not doing more.

[Deleted]

I would definitely be happy to pay more for something that works and lasts. Thankfully there seem to be a ton of medical derms near my work that have good reviews.

[walterismydog]

Jun 4, 2012 15:11:13 GMT -5 @sweetcuppincakes said:

I would definitely be happy to pay more for something that works and lasts. Thankfully there seem to be a ton of medical derms near my work that have good reviews.

I was going to suggest this also. I am still considering getting this done again, but I would go to a doctor this time. I think the lasers in the "laser clinics" are just not very great.

[kc18]

I would definitely say to check out the place that you are considering getting treatments from and make sure it's reputable. I have been getting laser hair treatments since Summer of 2010. I signed up and did bikini line and underarms. After my third bikini line treatment, I decided to get it all off for cleanliness and ease. I have seen TREMENDOUS results. Because you have to space out the treatments about 3 - 4 months in between each one, it does take a while to finish all your sessions, but it's SO worth it. I think I have about two more for each body area. I'm thinking about doing my legs b/c it works so well, but it is expensive. I don't advocate the groupon thing for $99. Maybe that's why people aren't getting the results they expect. You really do get what you pay for. I go to a very reputable medical spa here in town, and while they do run seasonal specials at sometimes 30, 40 and 50% off treatments, I've never seen them on groupon or livingsocial. I love my results and would recommend it to anyone. (FYI - I have olive skin with dark brown hair, so this works pretty perfect for me).

[underwaterrhymes]

I had laser hair removal on my bikini and underarms through Ideal Image and it worked great for me. I have dark hair and fair skin. It's been about six years since I finished treatment, and I only have a few stragglers on my bikini line and one on my armpit.

[marynjoe]

I've had it done on the bikini line, underarms, and am doing lower legs. It is one of the most amazing things I've ever done for myself. The place I go to specializes only in laser hair removal. I pay for 6 sessions, and then go on free maintenance for 6 more sessions. I think maintenance is the key. While some hair does grow back, the difference is incredible. Freaking incredible. I now see one tiny hair once a week or so on my underarms. The bikini area hair is 5% of what it used to be. Totally worth it!!!!