Does laser hair removal work?

July 11, 2005 5:20 AM

What's your honest opinion about the efficacy of laser hair removal?

It sounds like a fantastic solution, but sometimes I wonder if people who've had it done want to make it sound like it worked better than it did (because, after all, they've shelled out a lot of money believing it would work).

By the way, I have light skin and dark hair - I hear that's optimal.

Any advice about types of laser instruments to use?

Any recommendations for good laser hair removal place in the Miami area?

posted by Amizu to clothing, beauty, & fashion (11 comments total)

What part of your body are you getting it removed from?
posted by k8t at 5:38 AM on July 11, 2005

My, erm, waxing technician told me she tried to have it done to her bikini area, and it was really painful and wasn't permanent. I was thinking of having it done (not to my bikini area) and she talked me out of it.
posted by patgas at 6:17 AM on July 11, 2005

The waxist wants your business though.

As I understand laser works great for the bikini area. Some women have had regrowth during pregnancy, but as I understand it, this is pretty rare.

Think about it cost-wise. You can get your laser done for a few grand. Every time you get a bikini wax (once a month or so?) it is $30-60.

Laser is much cheaper in the long run.

A woman that I work with went every Monday at lunch for a year to get hers done a few years ago and it still looks great.
posted by k8t at 6:36 AM on July 11, 2005

There is little doubt that it works. But because only very little can be accomplished in an hour session, you have to keep going back over and over again over the course of months (sometimes years), which of course means the bill starts to rack up.

But those are the breaks, the more effective it is, the longer it takes and the more it costs.
posted by JPowers at 7:57 AM on July 11, 2005

What about for the face ("moustache" and chin area)? The hairs there are usually a lot finer (hopefully!). Will the laser be able to "see" them?
posted by matildaben at 8:15 AM on July 11, 2005

I have recently gone through a couple of treatments myself after long long years of waxing, threading, etc.

Some thoughts,

- It's not going to be a miracle quick fix, the dark hair will be become noticeably lighter and thinner, also the peach fuzz on your face grows itself into regular thick hair after a few years so if that's the area you're looking into getting treated, be prepared that you will have to go in at the very least once a year to do touch ups (usually a quarter or half the cost of a regular session).

- Pain factor? A LOT less painful than other hair removal treatment I have ever had, it feels like small little pinch every time the laser zaps a hair root. First treatment was the hardest because of anxiety. It hurts more in certain areas like your upper lip, you can feel the laser zap in your teeth.

- If it's possible, go through a dermatologist who provides this service, there aren't any regulations really governing the dime a dozen laser hair removal places and there is no guarantee they're going to be there in a next few months. With a doctor, not only do you have someone who's knowledgeable, but also genuinely cares about his/her reputation rather than make a quick buck outta you.

If you have any questions, email in profile.
posted by wannabehippie at 8:22 AM on July 11, 2005

Ok, as someone who has been the decision maker on purchasing hair removal lasers, I gotta tell you that there are huge differences in the hardware used. There are essentially 2 technologies in use IPL and actual lasers. IPLs are essentially flash lamps and no matter what the manufacturer says, they are simply not as effective as a true laser at removing hair. Avoid devices such as the Aurora, Polaris, Comet, StarLux, Epilux, Radiancy SkinStation, Photolight and Photosilk.

That said, there are 3 different true lasers that can be used. Alexandrite, diode and Nd:Yag. You want to find a shop that uses the Candela GentleLase alexandrite laser if possible. Otherwise the Mediostar diode laser is pretty good. Nd:Yag (for various technical reasons) is hotter, more uncomfortable and no more effective.

Laser hair removal is permanent at the hair follicles that active at the time of treatment. Significant numbers of follicles are dormant at any given time so it takes multiple treatments to get the majority of them. Hormonal, growth and various other factors can result in new hair growth as well. So permanent is true, but dependent on these factors.

As for hair being "seen" by the laser, it has to have some color to it. Very light blonde and white hair simply don't have enough. Some darker red hair responds pretty well but it takes more power to get them (which is ok since redheads tend to be more pale the skin will heat less when the laser fires). Anyone who promises removal of white or fine blonde hair is lying and stealing your money.

If you happen to be in the metro Seattle area, you can get in touch with me. Email me in profile.
posted by shagoth at 8:42 AM on July 11, 2005 [5 favorites]

The idea that I get this yeti effect with only a MINORITY of the foliciles being active at any one time is seriously distressing.

I'd love to see this get cheap enough in my lifetime that I could get my face done. My shoulders are sparse enough that I'm happy with the occassional wax (and I'd be afraid to lase what's there now and have more show up on the rest of my back and look whacky) but after almost 20 years of shaving my face I still despise it. Even long stretches of being bearded didn't remove the need to clean up the edges.
posted by phearlez at 10:03 AM on July 11, 2005

I never imagined they were able to do men's faces- is that possible? I mean, yes, I know it's possible, but considering that facial hair on men is more of a personal choice (some years you have it, some years you don't) then leg hair or bikini line hair, I thought (completely uninformed) that they wouldn't do it.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 10:53 AM on July 11, 2005 [1 favorite]

I think the number of men who see facial hair as a choice only slightly exceeds the number of women who see leg hair as a choice.
posted by Chuckles at 11:20 AM on July 11, 2005

I fully intend to have my face lasered (yes, by shogoth, who I've known for years) soon. I hate, hate, hate shaving with a passion. Or without a passion, for that matter. I hate shaving equally regardless of how passionate I am feeling at any particular moment.

It is my understanding that some of the wimpier lasers won't really do a good job on a beard, but shogoth assures me that the GentleLase is up to the task. In fact I think he's planning to turn the laser on himself.

Judging by the interest many men exhibit when I bring up the possibility of never having to shave again, this is an audience to which most clinics are seriously under-advertising. A clinic that catered specifically to men could probably do quite a good business.

BTW, I'm told you want to shave closely before having laser hair removal, otherwise it'll be rather more painful than a "gentle pinch."
posted by kindall at 4:02 PM on July 11, 2005