Is laser hair removal worth it? Any good/bad experiences?

There is a clinic right next to my pdoc's office (same building) that does laser hair removal. It is done by an MD doctor. It's a clinic that does stuff like botox, etc.

I stopped in while waiting for my appointment and asked about pricing.

It's about $600 to do my eyebrows, lip, and chin ($150 per session, they said it takes an average of 4 sessions to get it all).

It would be another $700 to do the bikini area.

Is it worth the cost? Does it work? Anyone done it and had a good/bad experience?

I have really thick, course, black hairs, and very white skin. That should mean good results with the laser treatment.

I was thinking of using our tax stimulus check for this.

Just as a comparison...a brazilian bikini wax is about $60. So I would "pay for it" after about 12 times. (although I don't always get waxed, sometimes I shave). The eyebrows/lip/chin I can do myself for maybe $5-$10 each time (those home wax kits). So that would be "paid for" in about 60 weeks. So just over a year kinda.

Hmm....

Laser isn't permanent, from what I remember. Electrolysis is, and is also much cheaper. Electrolysis takes a number of treatments, but my first one was 40 minutes and all the succeeding ones have been about 15. I pay $20 for 15 minutes, which seems to be about average (I've been to more than one, since I moved from where I was living when I started).

It only hurts a little, they can numb it for you anyway, and once the hair is gone, it's gone for good. I just went for a "touchup" last week and it was the first time I'd been in about a year.

You might want to do some research on both before you spend that much money!

BTW, I am olive-skinned but had very dark, coarse hairs as well.

CB

Wow really? I thought electrolysis only lasted as long as waxing. Hmm...I will definitely look into that!!

Laser is supposed to be permanent, but it takes a few sessions to get it all because your hair grows in 'cycles' and it can only remove the hairs that are visible.

electrolysis FAQ

I'm really happy with my decision to get laser hair removal. For me it has been worth it. I hate to pay for things that I'll have to do over (ie. waxing). Laser hair removal is permenant it just may take a few sessions to get all the hairs (as you mention below). I've had two treatments on bikini, upper lip and chin. Since my 2nd treatment I haven't had to shave or pluck once and it's been about 3 weeks since the 2nd treatment. Normally it would be an almost everyday thing. Plus I never felt like I got a good clean shave in my bikini line and now it is nice and smooth - no stubble or ingrown hairs.

I also have paler skin and dark hair. I don't find the treatment too painful.

you know I really don't have any unwanted hair, well not that i would go as far as laser for. I mean, i think ill just stick with a razor and shaving creme!