Quote:
Originally Posted by Rainshine
I am thinking of going down this path. I'm getting tired of waxing myself or when I am feeling lazy, paying someone to do it for me. I am thinking XXX waxing and underarms.
Has anyone gone down this path and if so, do you have any feedback on the process, value for money etc? It is not cheap (at least here in .au) so am obviously doing my research but I also thought I would see if anyone here had any experience or wisdom to impart.
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Lasered my legs, my underarms and bikini area - and it was one of the best investments that I've ever did for myself.
Note that laser will not remove 100% of your hair, but it will remove, if you're a candidate, a significant portion of your hair - it will make the rest of the hair softer, weaker and thinner (I sometimes will watch TV and pluck my legs; I'm done about the end of
The Big Bang Theory). This is a common assumption and it's something that your technician should address when you're interviewing her.
The first thing I would suggest is to find a board certified technicians. Some will say go to a nurse. I say go to someone who is qualified and trained to operate the machine. I have the utmost respect for nurses, but that does not mean that she knows what wattage to use! In some places, lasers can only be operated by a health care professional or under supervision of one. Great, but still make sure that the one operating it is still trained in laser hair removal. I went to a medical spa (where they do aesthetics as well as medical cosmetics) and the woman who lasered me was considered to be one of the best - both her and the salon was licensed by not only the company supplying the machine but also by the province.
Second: make sure you're a candidate for laser hair removal. The best candidates are those who dark hair and fair skin that tans easily (type 3). Why? Because you won't burn. Laser works best if there's a contrast between the hair and the skin, so ladies with dark skin and dark hair (ETA: I just took a quick look, and those with dark skin and dark hair may be able to remove their hair with a longer pulse laser; this is relatively new, so it did not show up in my initial research of a few years ago) and ladies with light hair and light skin are not ideal candidates. If your skin burns easily, that can be dealt with.
Third: make an appointment for a consultation. If the technician wants to charge you for this, go away. If you're not an ideal candidate and she says you will, walk away. If she tells you that all your hair will be permanently removed, walk away.
Fourth: realise that not all your hair will be removed. It will take about 6 sessions, each one with higher wattage. At the end, my legs were 92% removed (in fact, I went in for a touch up consultation), my underarms were about 95% removed and bikini about 80%. The growth rate is slow when I shave and every few months, I wax. It takes about 15 minutes to wax (because I have so very little hair) and it takes about 1 month, 1.5 months for the hair to grow back.
Fifth. If you're not pain tolerant, this is probably not the thing for you. I'm
exceedingly pain tolerant and at the last session, well, the room turned blue with my muttering under my breath. It does hurt. It goes away quickly, so by the time you walk out of your session you will feel minor stings, but during the zapping, it can hurt. A lot. And not in a good way, either. And no, you cannot take in any pain killers - you can apply a topical cream, but they do not recommend it, because you will have to tell the technician if you feel a type of pain. If you cannot handle the pain, do yourself a favour and don't do it.
Sixth. It's not cheap. It should not be cheap. I bought the package deal - over here it's not recommended that you pay-per-session, because they use a weaker laser and it will end up costing you more.
Seventh: research what type of laser they are using. IPL is not good for hair removal, because it has a very short wave length so it won't kill the root (this is what cheaper places use). Pulse Diodes are considered to be optimal, but this is something that you have to research. Research the company from which they purchased the machine from - they should be certified and recognised by at least one medical board and offer training to their technicians.
Eighth: When you do take the plunge, if the technician doesn't offer protective glasses, walk away. After a session, she should offer you aloe to calm your skin. If not, put a fuss.
Ninth: You have to shave for about 6 weeks before your first session and shave in between session (spaced out by 6 weeks). You won't be able to wear deodorant for 24 hours after each session and avoid the sun to keep your skin as pale as possible (and to protect it; your skin will be extremely sensitive). It's a long process, but after the first session, I've noticed a considerable hair reduction.
For me, it was totally worth it. My skin is softer and smoother and considerably blemish free and I know I'm saving a bundle on waxing. I've pretty much paid it up, because now I only wax maybe twice a year and shave every few weeks. It's something that you have to think about and ask around. My aesthetician, the one who used to wax me, is the one who recommended it, despite that fact that she will be losing her client (she isn't certified). That itself told me that it was something I should think about. I don't regret that I did.
Anything else, please feel free to ask me.
purrrr
