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Here's What You Need to Know About Laser Hair Removal

It's not the magic trick it sounds like.

By Lily HoffmanPublished 6 years ago 3 min read
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A year ago when I decided to start laser hair removal, I underestimated three aspects of the process: the price, the time commitment, and the pain. What did I overestimate? The effectiveness.

Laser is Expensive, But You Can Find Deals

I get laser hair removal done on three different parts of my body at three different facilities. Why? Groupon. Without Groupon, I would still be burning my skin with Nair once a month and shaving almost every day. There are some fantastic deals where you can get six sessions for under $150. How good of a deal is this? At most laser places, once your coupon runs out, one session of the procedure on your underarms can cost at least $85.

Laser Takes a While

Without getting too scientific, laser takes a long time to work because there are three stages of hair growth, and laser is only effective during one of these stages. The day before your appointment you have to shave whatever area you're treating, and then after your procedure, your hair will grow back in as usual. After a couple of weeks, it will all fall out, and then it will start growing back in. Six (or more) weeks after your session, you go again. After a few sessions, you will notice that you're growing less hair, but you will still have hair. And, unfortunately, for most people, it will take eight or more sessions to have complete hair loss. And then, of course, you're still recommended to have a yearly maintenance session.

Laser Can Really Hurt

As I mentioned, I received laser treatment from three different places, and while there isn't a huge price discrepancy between these places, there is a MASSIVE difference in pain. At the most painful place, I sit through my session on the verge of tears and immediately grab a drink upon leaving. This place uses what I call the "zap zap zap" laser. You can feel each individual zap, and they hurt. This place uses a gel like the kind you'd find at an ultrasound to create a barrier between the laser and your skin. It is also the only place that gives you a ball to squeeze for the pain. The middle place uses the same laser, but they use a cooling gel which eases some of the pain. The best laser is different. It's warm, and the technician continuously moves it over your skin. The sensation is more tingling than burning, and even though I receive this treatment on a very sensitive part of my body, it barely hurts. If you're nervous about the pain, call ahead to find out what type of laser they use, and ask if they use cooling or numbing gel.

Is Laser Right For You?

Laser works best for people with lighter skin and darker hair, but this doesn't mean it can't work for people who don't fit this description. I decided to start laser because I have extremely sensitive skin, and shaving, waxing, and sugaring led to terrible rashes and ingrown hairs. No matter how many ways I've tried to handle the bumps and burns, my legs are red and itchy, and within 24 hours the stubble is back. For me, laser hair removal has been worth it. I plan to continue with it, and even though it hasn't completely gotten rid of my hair yet, I don't have to shave nearly as much as I used to. I used to shave my underarms every day, and now I shave them twice a month. If waxing and shaving work fine for you, I would probably recommend sticking with that. But if you're like me, and spend hours every week shaving and dealing with the adverse side effects of shaving, then you might want to make the investment.

skincare
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About the Creator

Lily Hoffman

24 from NYC

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