Laser Hair Removal

August 19, 2004 5:51 PM

Laser Hair Removal - I don't know anyone who's had it done. What has been your experience?

All my online research has led me to many tales of woe. I'm wondering if there is anyone out there that's had this done and actually had good results. My slavic heritage has blessed me with an overwhelming abundance that I'd like to tame. Bonus points for reccomendations on types of lasers and/or specific reccomendations of practitioners in San Francisco.

posted by Wolfie to clothing, beauty, & fashion (12 comments total)

I'd go with waxing. I've heard horror stories (and if not truly horror, lasting irritation/infection/burns). Here's a rundown of some options, incl. laser
posted by amberglow at 6:00 PM on August 19, 2004

There's a great threader at Cinta in downtown SF. I think her name is Bagna or Bavna. Threading's not permanent, but it has the advantage over waxing of being something cool to brag about.
posted by padraigin at 6:08 PM on August 19, 2004

Yeah - I've tried every possible alternative. Am currently doing electrolysis on my underarms. Its just a very long and not all that comfortable process. I would endure serious pain thoguh, if it meant four 15 minute treatments and I'd be done.
posted by Wolfie at 6:19 PM on August 19, 2004

Have you asked in the Beauty Forum on Craigslist?
posted by padraigin at 6:25 PM on August 19, 2004

I've had laser hair removal done on my armpits and bikini area.
I had to have 6 or 7 treatments or so.. Each session was very quick - no more than 10-15 mins.
I really am happy with the results, although I have 1 or 2 hairs left.
I am very pale skinned which is apparently the easiest. The darker your skin, the harder it is, apparently, to get the hair. When you're getting it done, it feels like maybe a snap of a rubber band. and afterwards, it feels like a very very mild sunburn for a couple hours. Also, I had some slight darkening of the skin, but it all went away.

I've heard that electrolysis is much more painful and takes much longer.
posted by j at 6:53 PM on August 19, 2004

I had threading done to my eyebrows once and it HURT. Alot! Much more than waxing, and didn't seem to last longer given all the pain. Not really responsive to Wolfie's question, but ouch! (On preview, looks like things worked out for j.)
posted by onlyconnect at 6:56 PM on August 19, 2004

What's threading?
posted by substrate at 6:58 PM on August 19, 2004

Threading.
posted by padraigin at 7:01 PM on August 19, 2004

[mumbles about "sugaring"]
posted by five fresh fish at 9:44 PM on August 19, 2004

I've tried a self-sugaring kit. It didn't remove a single hair.
posted by orange swan at 8:20 AM on August 20, 2004

Is laser hair removal permenant? Is Electrolysis? Is one cheaper than the other? Which works better?
posted by aacheson at 6:02 PM on August 20, 2004

I had laser done about 4 years ago.
I have 1 or 2 strays that have come back, but they've been there for a while and no more have appeared.
But they do say it's not permanent. So, not really sure what they mean.
posted by j at 6:38 AM on August 21, 2004