Since posting this blog, I've gotten a lot of followup questions about laser hair removal . Let me first preface this with: I am no expert! So, please just realize this is my personal experience (which I'm more than happy to share).
Like I stated before, I was a little bit afraid - you know, having read horror stories of laser-hair-removal-gone-wrong from Google searches! But, I pressed on and had it done. Actually twice (almost). So far, I've finished my 6 sessions of underarm hair removal and have had 4 of 6 lower leg (below the knee) sessions. Here's what I have learned thusfar:
1) There's nothing to be afraid of. The little lasers feel like tiny rubber bands popping your skin. I figure, if you can handle waxing, you can handle the lasers. It's no picnic in the park, but it's not exactly childbirth either!
2) If you do happen to use a LivingSocial / Groupon / Odeals / HalfOffDepot deal, just be sure to read the fine print AND call and find out exactly how much "taxes and gratuity" will be. My LivingSocial deal at one place nearly doubled in price because they automatically charged a set amount of gratuity each and every time (6 times) I went there. Oh, and there was another miscellaneous one-time fee they charged me as well. So it's best to call and find out what extraneous fees you might incur. (I learned that the hard way!)
3) Any fears you have, just call and set up an appointment to talk with the technician who will be performing the laser hair removal. A consultation will really ease your fears and concerns.
4) Those lasers are adjustable. My underarms didn't have any issues, but my legs felt like they were burning the second time I went in. I just told the technician and she adjusted it and also added more of some sort of gel to my legs and knees and voila, I was fine.
5) It varies for everyone, but after my 6 sessions for underarms was finished, I was told I would need to schedule a few more "touchups" to remove any new hairs that may appear. And after about a month, I did get a few new fine hairs appearing, so I will be scheduling a "touchup" soon. I was told that from time to time you'd need to do touchups, but that they weren't that expensive and would only be needed 1-2 times per year and that eventually I wouldn't need any touchups at all.
I have to admit, I really am pleased with my results.
I know I got a lot of questions about side effects. The only side effects I experienced were:
First time I had my underarms done, for about an hour afterward, I felt like I had a slight sunburn. But after that hour, it totally went away. It felt perfectly normal after that.
Also after the first time, a few days later I noticed my skin had darkened slightly (I'm African-American and have a medium-brown complexion). Honestly, it looked like I had tanned really well under my arms! But after two weeks or so, my regular coloring came back (and it never happened again).
The second time I got my legs done, the laser actually hurt around my knees (one or two zaps into the session, it felt like I had gotten burned a bit). I immediately told the technician I could feel heat and she readjusted the laser and put more gel on my knees and legs before proceeding. Since she readjusted the laser, I haven't had anymore issues.
I did notice that two of the four times I've had my legs done, shortly thereafter (maybe a week?), on the outsides of my legs it began to itch a bit and after scratching it seemed like I had a few "goosebumps" on the itchy part. I told the technician this and she just recommended I keep lotion or some sort of moisturizer on my legs. After applying a good lotion, no more itching, no more "goosebumps".
Those were the only side effects that I experienced. Just be aware that it differs for everyone.
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