As I begin my journey into middle age, I’ve noticed that my hair has started migrating away from my scalp and onto my shoulders and back. So I’m seriously considering laser hair removal of my back and shoulders. Anyone who has tried most certainly knows that it’s not easy shaving your own back. For anyone who has had it done, I have a few questions:
How much should I pay, and is there any danger in using a discount service provider?
Are there any ingrown hair issues? I once waxed my back, which resulted in hundreds of bumps on my back and forcing me to keep my shirt on at the beach.
I don’t know how much you should pay for that area, but I can testify to the ingrown hair issue–the answer is no. Never had a problem. They shouldn’t grow back. You didn’t ask, but it is painful. Not searingly painful, but painful and each hair is a separate little shock of pain so it adds up. Totally worth it, though.
Laser hair removal is not considered permanent. At least some people experience significant regrowth.
I’ve been getting electrolysis done…two of my grandparents immigrated from Sicily and I have the facial hair to prove it. Or did have the facial hair. It’s about as painful as plucking is, and is considered permanent. Most hairs never grow back after the first treatment. A few need a second treatment.
In my experience, laser hair removal hurts less than waxing, but it still feels like pore-sized cigarette burns in most areas I’ve had treated; strangely enough, I don’t recall it hurting much on my face. Then again, I had that treatment almost a decade ago and there was very little area to be treated. I’m currently in the middle of the process (it takes more than one session) for my underarms and bikini line and what hairs that have come back have come back finer and lighter than they were before. The hairs go through a “shedding” process in the first 21 days after laser hair removal-- some people lose the hair within a week, while others have singed stubble for longer than that. It’s all dependent upon how long it takes your hair follicle to push out the hair after treatment. IME, the second round of laser hair removal was trickier with this because I continued to shave the area (what was left of it, and when I remembered to) and did not keep up with my exfoliation routine and ended up having hairs that didn’t shed as quickly as they would normally have.
Depending upon the location you are in, you may or may not have a few different choices for laser hair removal services. The first time I got it done, I was in a dermatologist’s office; this time, I went with one of those commercial laser hair removal clinics with medical supervisors. Both were professional and reasonably priced for the procedures, but neither were cheap and both had similar treatment room setups. Get a consultation wherever you go beforehand and talk with the doctor about your particular situation and what your options are before you sign up for treatment-- you may not be a good candidate for laser hair removal and will have to look into other options.
The places I’ve seen in Chicago advertise as charging $250.00 per “area” and they say things such as “the back consists of 4 areas,” “The face is two areas,” “the neck is two areas”
Oooo nashiitashii - I am hoping to do that one day. I was getting the waxing done (armpits and undercarriage, the full monty) but have had to cut it out while I am poor and in school. One of the things I’ve been contemplating for the future, though, it moving to laser treatments instead of the wax because it would be permanent (but then I heard that it’s not always permanent).
I swear I cannot stand shaving my pits. I miss the waxing so, so much. How long will it take you before you are finished with the whole thing?
You might want to look up IPL hair removal- intense pulsed light. It’s probably comparable in price to laser, but much more effective and less painful (I’ve had both procedures, but not for hair removal). And you should never have any procedure like this any place other that a board-certified dermatologist’s office. Strip mall operations can be dangerous to the consumer. Make an appointment for a consultation- they usually take that charge off the final price, so if you go ahead with them, you have nothing to lose by having the consultation. I would even advise you to outright ask the physician for a discount on the set price of a treatment package- in this economy you’re likely to be able to get a good deal- but you have to ask for it.
Any type of permanent hair removal has to be done in different stages, as only about 20% of the hairs are active at any given time. So it usually takes at least 4 or 5 sessions.
I’d like to try this someday, too (maybe IPL - have to look that up). I think I’d be an excellent candidate, with light skin and dark hair, but my hair is so damned persistent - I think it’d just laugh off anything short of total annihilation.
I just called what I thought was a laser center. But the woman on the phone told me that they only do permanent hair removal (electrolysis). She spent a good 30 minutes explaining each type of treatment and the benefits/issues. She mentioned that people with olive skin and dark hair have issues with laser removal. That’s what I have (and she obviously couldn’t see me). In many cases, the hair grows back and the laser actually stimulates additional hair growth. She convinced me to see her about electrolysis. I’m meeting her next week.
So any info on electrolysis experiences is also requested.
Well, the research I’ve done indicates that electrolysis is THE permanent hair removal method. I’ve tried a little - it’s somewhat painful, but not too bad.
I had my ladybits done about six years ago and I’ve had absolutely no regrowth. I had it done by a dermatologist so I can’t really answer your question about discount places or their prices. What you will pay greatly depends on
It wasn’t what I would call painful at all. I’d term it as slightly uncomfortable, kind of like a mild sunburn. Also, that didn’t last long at all.
The success rate, cost, and frequency of appointments will depend a lot on your skin.
Hey I was thinking of asking about this as well. In particular: IPL vs laser, which is cheaper, more permanent, painless and suitable for different parts of the body?
I’ve had laser hair removal for a couple years on my neck/chin area. I also have type I Fitzpatrick skin - very fair and dark hair. That’s important because that combo gets the best results.
How much should I pay, and is there any danger in using a discount service provider?
Price depends on size of area. I paid around $200 for neck and chin area. Yes there is definitely danger using a discount provider. Lasers +skin is a lot of opportunity for damage. I got my treatments from a medical practice.
Are there any ingrown hair issues? I once waxed my back, which resulted in hundreds of bumps on my back and forcing me to keep my shirt on at the beach.
The laser basically singes off any hairs so I never had ingrown hair problems. In fact, my skin looked amazing after laser treatment
Is it really painless and permanent?
It isn’t painless. I bought some lidocaine cream to numb the skin (more $$). The pain feels like heat and sand being shot at your skin with high velocity. I haven’t experienced permanent hairlessness but it’s definitely diminished and full growth takes about 6 months after treatment.
Any other advice is also appreciated. Thanks.
I’d only get treatment from certified centers. Laser is good for thinning hair growth and allotting a couple really good months of smooth hairless skin. For back hair, try it in the fall/winter as a test in case you don’t have a good reaction. Also, laser treated skin needs to avoid the sun for a bit.
In my area this is one of the services that regularly shows up on Groupon/living social etc deal sites. Many of those offering the deal are reputable so if you’re looking to save money sign up for the email and check them early each day so you have time to research the location before committing.
I had it done almost 8 years ago when the lasers were more painful and the results were less effective. I now have about a dozen very annoying hairs on my lower legs and my underarms grow hair like they did when I was 16. It’s not permanent but it sure lasts a very long time.
I would definitely recommend the lidocaine cream and a pre-treatment OTC pain reliever before the first treatment, you can decide based on how it goes if you want to drop that preparation but once you feel like it’s painful I found that it made me more tense which of course made it more painful.
I also agree with the do it now, before summer for a couple of reasons. First is the need to avoid sun for a couple days after each treatment and the second is that it’s going to be patchy during treatment so it will be better if you can cover up without feeling like you’re missing out on the season.