The Student Room Group

Laser Hair Removal

Please share your stories if you have or are currently receiving Laser Hair Removal. Last week was my patch test and today was my first of 6 sessions.

My treatment is with near infra-red alexandrite laser which targets the pigment in the hair bulge, heats and destroys it. The practitioner was a really nice man, however, I must say it was really painful; but definitely was worth it though. The burning sensation stayed with me for a few hours.

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Never had it.. but I want to try..

seriously hair is SO annoying. :smile:

[watches thread]
Reply 2
I really want laser hair removal, but I'll have to save up for it first. I have very dark hair and very pale skin so hair on my body shows up A LOT! Does it hurt a lot to have it done? And how much (roughly) would it cost to get laser?
Reply 3
Original post by Allie J
I really want laser hair removal, but I'll have to save up for it first. I have very dark hair and very pale skin so hair on my body shows up A LOT! Does it hurt a lot to have it done? And how much (roughly) would it cost to get laser?


Pale skin and dark hair works the best so you'd be the perfect candidate. I'm on my first week since getting it done, and it's so amazing, my hair is starting to fall out when I exfoiliate. :smile:

Price:
It depends where you get it done, this is like a rough guide of the charge for each visit at the place I get done, which is private

* Small areas, £80
* Full face, £100
* Bikini Line, £100 - £200
* Lower legs, pair £300 - £400
* Thighs, pair £300 - £500
* Shoulders, £200 - £300
* Full back, £300 - £700

Also gift Vouchers are available, so like for birthdays or Christmas or whatever, you can ask people instead of gifts. But if you still cant afford it and it's really affecting you, you should speak to your GP as you may able to get funding from your local PCT (Primary Care Trust).
You'll need minimum 6 sessions for most areas. The initial consultation costs £40 and you should come prepared with your questions to get the most out of the consultation.
Test patch tests, which are essential before treatment can begin, cost a further £40, which are normally a week before your first treatment. These are to see how strong they can use the laser with your skin colouring. This is refunded at your first treatment.

What places did you want to get it done?

And it did hurt, but my pain threshhold is pretty weak lol, (I'm kinda a wuss :redface: ) when the hair is zapped it feels like a rubber band being flicked on you. However, if you can handle getting waxed, you can handle this.

You can actually smell the hair burning and after the session is over you can see the melted hair when you wipe your face with a wetwipe. It's gross but kind of a relief too. It was rather emotional during the first session as silly as it sounds, but seeing the hair all gone especially since you are not allowed to wax/thread or remove the hair other than shave before you have it done. But it did burn for a few hours but the pain was definitely worth it.
Reply 4
just something else to add to my huge wishlist!no more leg waxing ever would be amazing!I saw a girl today who'd obviously shaved her arms.not a good look....
Original post by hanaxo
just something else to add to my huge wishlist!no more leg waxing ever would be amazing!I saw a girl today who'd obviously shaved her arms.not a good look....


Hedgehog? Lol....


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App
Reply 6
Original post by hanaxo
just something else to add to my huge wishlist!no more leg waxing ever would be amazing!I saw a girl today who'd obviously shaved her arms.not a good look....


How much per week/month do you spend on waxing? If you try and calculate it, maybe in the long run it'd be less costly to get laser. :smile:
Reply 7
Original post by Khodu
How much per week/month do you spend on waxing? If you try and calculate it, maybe in the long run it'd be less costly to get laser. :smile:


Whered you get it done? As in which area?

Also do you think it'd be effective on south asian skin?
Reply 8
Original post by Uzzy?
Whered you get it done? As in which area?

Also do you think it'd be effective on south asian skin?


Face, just the extra unwanted hairs; that I normally get waxed and threaded regularly (quite a chore and it's horrible having to wait a specific amount of time til the hairs are long enough to get removed). So i'm kinda like :ninjagirl: for a week lol.
However I'm hoping to get more places done. I'm getting funding from my local PCT which is brilliant, I'm hoping I get some cash this summer from relatives coming over lol, so I can get started for underarms which I've heard from a few friends is the best thing ever.
Well I'm south east asian and it's worked quite well so far, however skin tone does vary in south eastern asian. It depends on the darkness on your hair as well as your skin tone, however I have heard recently the clinic has had patients with darker (afro-carribean) skin tones but it's not been as successful as patients with lighter skin as the laser works better.
Hope I didn't ramble on and on about skin tones :tongue: and you got what I meant.
(edited 11 years ago)
Reply 9
Original post by Khodu
Please share your stories if you have or are currently receiving Laser Hair Removal. Last week was my patch test and today was my first of 6 sessions.

My treatment is with near infra-red alexandrite laser which targets the pigment in the hair bulge, heats and destroys it. The practitioner was a really nice man, however, I must say it was really painful; but definitely was worth it though. The burning sensation stayed with me for a few hours.


I want to get mine done, when I have cash to spare lol :tongue:
However two of my aunties had it done I think about two and a half years ago but yeah they love it! No more hassle of threading, and the hair hasn't come back since they had the treatment :thumbsup: When they had theirs done, they said it didn't hurt it just felt like a little pinch but yeah I guess everyone is different. :smile:
Reply 10
My local parlor that offers laser hair removal said the effect is better on middle aged women?
Reply 11
Original post by Khodu
Pale skin and dark hair works the best so you'd be the perfect candidate. I'm on my first week since getting it done, and it's so amazing, my hair is starting to fall out when I exfoiliate. :smile:

Price:
It depends where you get it done, this is like a rough guide of the charge for each visit at the place I get done, which is private

* Small areas, £80
* Full face, £100
* Bikini Line, £100 - £200
* Lower legs, pair £300 - £400
* Thighs, pair £300 - £500
* Shoulders, £200 - £300
* Full back, £300 - £700

Also gift Vouchers are available, so like for birthdays or Christmas or whatever, you can ask people instead of gifts. But if you still cant afford it and it's really affecting you, you should speak to your GP as you may able to get funding from your local PCT (Primary Care Trust).
You'll need minimum 6 sessions for most areas. The initial consultation costs £40 and you should come prepared with your questions to get the most out of the consultation.
Test patch tests, which are essential before treatment can begin, cost a further £40, which are normally a week before your first treatment. These are to see how strong they can use the laser with your skin colouring. This is refunded at your first treatment.

What places did you want to get it done?

And it did hurt, but my pain threshhold is pretty weak lol, (I'm kinda a wuss :redface: ) when the hair is zapped it feels like a rubber band being flicked on you. However, if you can handle getting waxed, you can handle this.

You can actually smell the hair burning and after the session is over you can see the melted hair when you wipe your face with a wetwipe. It's gross but kind of a relief too. It was rather emotional during the first session as silly as it sounds, but seeing the hair all gone especially since you are not allowed to wax/thread or remove the hair other than shave before you have it done. But it did burn for a few hours but the pain was definitely worth it.



Thank you so much! I really want to get it done so I'd better start saving now lol. I have a low pain tolerance too, but I wax so I'm sure it won't be too bad. Pain is Beauty :smile:
Reply 12
Original post by Khodu
Face, just the extra unwanted hairs; that I normally get waxed and threaded regularly (quite a chore and it's horrible having to wait a specific amount of time til the hairs are long enough to get removed). So i'm kinda like :ninjagirl: for a week lol.
However I'm hoping to get more places done. I'm getting funding from my local PCT which is brilliant, I'm hoping I get some cash this summer from relatives coming over lol, so I can get started for underarms which I've heard from a few friends is the best thing ever.
Well I'm south east asian and it's worked quite well so far, however skin tone does vary in south eastern asian. It depends on the darkness on your hair as well as your skin tone, however I have heard recently the clinic has had patients with darker (afro-carribean) skin tones but it's not been as successful as patients with lighter skin as the laser works better.
Hope I didn't ramble on and on about skin tones :tongue: and you got what I meant.


Aha I know what you mean :tongue: although I just thread at home. Its a hassle though would love to be hair free forever :gasp:
Whats your local PCT sorry :ninja: sorry I'm a hermit when it comes to these things!
Well I guess I'm fair for an Asian...more yellow if anything :facepalm: with dark hair so hopefully it'll be good results!
Thank you!
Reply 13
Original post by Uzzy?
Aha I know what you mean :tongue: although I just thread at home. Its a hassle though would love to be hair free forever :gasp:
Whats your local PCT sorry :ninja: sorry I'm a hermit when it comes to these things!
Well I guess I'm fair for an Asian...more yellow if anything :facepalm: with dark hair so hopefully it'll be good results!
Thank you!


Yeah I'm like you dark hair is horrible with yellow complexion (but my sister who's just like me removes nothing and has nothing), my friends always come to me if they want hair removal lol, but I'm more obsessed with having no hair, hence I've become very good friends with my beautician, and used to go round her house to get waxed every 2 weeks! :colondollar: PM me about PCT stuff lol, because it did take me I think 2 years. It did anger me that some people got funding from PCTs for breast enlargements or whatnot and it took me 2 years or more for a few hundred quid of laser. But alls good now.

Trust me, being hair free is amazing! I wake up in the morning, wash my face a little cream and vaseline and I'm out the door. No threading or feeling green.
There are both type of users who have both positive and negative impacts of this treatment. Basically the success of this type of treatment depends on your skin also. So it is strongly recommended that you first consult with the expert about this.
Reply 15
I have very sensitive extra prone skin would I still be able to have laser hair removal?
Reply 16
I've been thinking of it forever, and will do it this fall.
I am blonde with fair skin and my hairs are light, but I still want them gone. Yes it costs, but when you're done, you're done. I have a reasonably high pain threshold, have been doing Hollywood waxes since forever anyway :smile:
I will do it in the fall though, as you have to stay out of the sun for a while.

Where did you go - a beauty salon or cosmetic clinic?
Reply 17
Original post by Millie228
I've been thinking of it forever, and will do it this fall.
I am blonde with fair skin and my hairs are light, but I still want them gone. Yes it costs, but when you're done, you're done. I have a reasonably high pain threshold, have been doing Hollywood waxes since forever anyway :smile:
I will do it in the fall though, as you have to stay out of the sun for a while.

Where did you go - a beauty salon or cosmetic clinic?


Cosmetic clinic, but you'll have to definitely stay away from the sun! :smile:
Original post by polerina
I have very sensitive extra prone skin would I still be able to have laser hair removal?

I have sensitive skin too, but you're best option is to actually go and talk to a specialist. I've had 4 treatments now and the hairs are very light and hardly any at all. I'm very happy with the treatment.
Which machine did you get, & how much did you pay for it? What was your hair like before? I'm always trying to find new ways to get rid of leg hair, shaving drives me mad and I can't handle waxing!
Brilliant thanks I'll have a look on eBay for that one. I'd pay a lot more than £60 for truly permanent removal to be fair. Thanks for the help :smile:

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