Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with laserhairremoval

Does bruising mean that I should not continue laser hair removal treatment?

pluma moos — Fri, 08 May 2009 11:47:39 -0800

Should I abandon my plan to have laser hair removal? I had a sample treatment of an area (about 2x3 inches in size) on my leg and light purple/blue bruising developed. I understand that this treatment typically causes redness but no bruising. It is now 2 days later and the bruise is starting to fade. Other than the ugliness and pain of bruising, is there any other risk to me of getting the full treatment? Plan is for both lower legs. It is an ELOS laser.

Ah. Yes. Where do the legs go on that thing again?

neblina_matinal — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 11:03:20 -0800

I have a few questions about bellow-the-belt laser hair removal. I've decided I want to get a full bikini hair laser removal. Everything gone. I have a few questions about the whole process though (which yes, I will also be asking when I go in to get the thing done, but I'd still like to know what to expect beforehand).

- When you go in for the first consultation, the one when they assess your skin and hair type and whether you are a good candidate, are you supposed to not wax/shave beforehand for a while? I mean, they have to see the hair, so you're not supposed to be groomed, right?

- When doing the actual procedure, how do they place you? Stir-ups like a Gyn? Or... what? FYI, I've never got a Brazilian wax done at a salon, so a description of... placement is welcome.

- Also, do they protect your *most delicate* skin and bits *right next to that laser beam* with something?

- Has anyone had this done and then regretted it? I can't see any reason why I'd need pubic hair anytime in my life, but still, I've never done anything so permanent, ever.

- If there's anything important I'm forgetting, or something you wish you'd known before you had this done, please do share.

Can he really eliminate a shaver?

arnicae — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 13:38:50 -0800

Does laser hair removal really work? If so, can you recommend anyone in the Bay Area who is particularly good? Posting for a friend, but I'm curious as well. Like this previous poster, my buddy really hates his beard hair. He brings his electric shaver with him everywhere, and shaves 3-4x daily. He's been thinking recently about doing laser. After reading this question, he knows he needs to pay for good results, but doesn't know what that means!

He has extremely pale skin (the kind that would use the 'rice paper' make-up on stage) and dirty blonde-brown hair. I know that laser works best on people with a large degree of disparity between their hair color and their skin color- he has that. His beard hair is coarse and thick and he says he gets about a 30-30-30 blend of black, pale brown, and red hair on his beard area.

Everyone online seems to disagree on the rest of the details, however, including whether to use lightpulse or GentleLase or LightShear- or whether it matters. Jerry Kindall's blog post seems to have the most details but the prices quoted elsewhere seem to range from a $250 for all of the treatments to $800 to infinity, as well as how many treatments it takes to achieve success and what, precisely, "success" is.

A lot of guys seem to agree that even multiple treatments only decrease the amount of hair, never eliminating the need for shaving. Others say- at least for women and the bikini area- it totally works.

So, if you've tried laser beard hair removal:
Did it work? (And what does "work" mean for you- do you still have to shave?)
How many sessions did it take?
How much did it hurt/did it make you look like a leper?
How much did they cost?
Can you recommend someone in the San Francisco Bay area (especially ones that do group discounts, ha ha)?

For my own part, I'm kinda curious if any women have tried laser treatments on the bikini area, and how effective they have been (as well as any health risks?) Sounds like FergieBelle likes her results- any other opinions?

how fast does it work?

pipti — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 05:39:59 -0800

When one has laser hair removal on one's bikini line, is the bikini line immediately smooth--as in, one leaves the office hairless? (I understand that at least several visits are required over time, though.) I'm leaving for a vacation in a week, and I'm debating between starting the laser process or just getting a wax.

Low-cost but effective laser hair removal in NYC?

Anonymous — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 07:05:07 -0800

Low-cost but effective laser hair removal in NYC? After a decade of plucking I've finally decided I want laser hair removal for the hair under my chin. I happen to have the best combo of tones for laser (dark hair + fair skin), so I don't need a special type of laser. Just an experienced, effective person who knows what they're doing.

I care most of all about affordable price. I don't care at all about location, as long as the place is within walking distance of subway or bus anywhere in the five boroughs of NYC. I don't care at all about a "spa experience" or "pampering." I'm ideally looking for the experienced laser person who happens to charge less because she has a small, non-fancy studio in one of the outer boroughs.

I don't have any friends who can advise because they've had this done. I have tried looking at reviews on Citysearch, but so many of the reviews are so obviously fake, and I feel like even the non-obvious ones can't be trusted.

Thanks for all recommendations!

Laser Hair Removal

Anonymous — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 10:51:39 -0800

Columbus, OH Filter: Any recommendations for laser hair removal and/or electrolysis in central Ohio? Any specific clinics/doctors I should avoid?

Do Home Laser Hair removal devices work?

Wilder — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 03:41:12 -0800

Home laser hair removal devices? Has anyone tried one that works? There are quite a few back questions advocating laser hair removal as the most permanent solution. The cost is prohibitive, and regular salon appointments are problematic for me. But having said that waxing costs about £80 pm on average. I've seen devices advertised for home laser hair removal at about £100 to £200.
Does anyone have any experience?
(FWIW I have the pale skin and dark hair which is said to be the most sucessful combo for laser)

Ouch! Zap. Ouch! Zap.

Anonymous — Sat, 18 Mar 2006 06:38:09 -0800

Photocaine - for use before laser hair removal. Does anyone have any experience with it? Google isnt too reassuring... This would be for use in the bikini area (think - Brazilian). Also, its 20$ for a very small 8 oz. jar. The cost, combined with the risk, really make me want an alternative.

Laser Hair Removal

Wolfie — Thu, 19 Aug 2004 17:51:09 -0800

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.