Laser Hair Removal

AshjMusik
AshjMusik Posts: 113 Member
edited October 2 in Chit-Chat
Ok who has done it?!
I started my underarms at Smooth Solutions & they screwed me.. Promised I'd be hair-free after only 6 sessions & any extra would be complimentary. So I paid the lump sum to get the discounted price, & am now on my 8th session w/ still ~80% growth left & must pay for each session b/c the saleslady lied (who was fired for her trickery) & management won't uphold her promises. Apparently they were using an IPL laser, which is basically like a "semi-permanent" laser. I recently had a consultation done with Ideal Image (9 treatments w/lifetime guarantee, administered by a registered nurse vs an esthetician) & am thinking about finishing my treatments there. I was also interested in getting my Brazilian done, which SS said I'd be a perfect canidate for, but the nurse at II said it would be ineffective b/c I'm too ginger, & even did a patch test to make sure. Thank goodness, I cant believe I let these other people rip me off like this! Basically I'll have to completely start over $!
Anyone have any experience with this?

Replies

  • netchik
    netchik Posts: 587 Member
    Yes! Same problem as you and 3k down... My hair has too much red and blonde in it and it won't penetrate the follicle... They gave me spray to darken the roots but still didnt work :(
  • dayzeerock
    dayzeerock Posts: 918 Member
    Did you just say "too ginger"?? OMG, that made my day!
  • GoyaMommy13
    GoyaMommy13 Posts: 80 Member
    now i am scared! i bought a groupon for a place near me. i have to schedule my appt. i was going to do my lip or underarm depending on their recommendation.
  • Jennloella
    Jennloella Posts: 2,286 Member
    I had my legs, underarms, and bikini done at a plastic surgeon's office by a nurse and haven't had to shave since - this was 4 years ago. It took me 10 sessions to be done, I paid per session, for the 1st year "touch ups" were free, I only went in for that twice to hit a spot on my calf that was missed.....when I first went in I was told it would take 8 to 12 sessions to be permanent......and I hit right in the middle at 10...not sure what kind of laser could do it after only 5 or 6? the laser is attracted to the pigment of the hair, the lighter the hair, the more ineffective. also, if you tan and your skin becomes as dark or darker than the hair, you'll have a problem with that too =/
  • Qarol
    Qarol Posts: 6,171 Member
    good advice...get stuff like that in writing
  • Valechka
    Valechka Posts: 192
    I think it only works for some ppl, like I went to different salons and I was told I am not really good candidate, apparently my skin is not as pale but more "olive" with more pigments, but my hair are more light then dark in color. It works best if you have pale skin+dark hair or dark skin and dark hair... that I was told. Since there are different lasers as well they had hard time to see which one would be good for my combination. So I do wax again... but I saw great result with laser when my friend did it...
  • hockeyd11
    hockeyd11 Posts: 92 Member
    I had my legs, underarms, and bikini done at a plastic surgeon's office by a nurse and haven't had to shave since - this was 4 years ago. It took me 10 sessions to be done, I paid per session, for the 1st year "touch ups" were free, I only went in for that twice to hit a spot on my calf that was missed.....when I first went in I was told it would take 8 to 12 sessions to be permanent......and I hit right in the middle at 10...not sure what kind of laser could do it after only 5 or 6? the laser is attracted to the pigment of the hair, the lighter the hair, the more ineffective. also, if you tan and your skin becomes as dark or darker than the hair, you'll have a problem with that too =/
    If you don't mind me asking, about how much did all that cost?
  • pandabear_
    pandabear_ Posts: 487 Member
    I was thinking of having it done on my underarms actually, sometime in the future.

    I can't believe that company would be so unprofessional. They should have still upheld her promises, that's mis-advertisement! I'd be so angry.
  • MrsCon40
    MrsCon40 Posts: 2,351 Member
    good advice...get stuff like that in writing

    Exactly.

    How do you purchase a recurring service without a contract?
  • PBJunkie
    PBJunkie Posts: 652
    How is it compared to waxing?
  • SRH7
    SRH7 Posts: 2,037 Member
    I have had three sessions on my underarms and have three to go. It's a doctor who is doing it, which gives me some sense of reassurance, and he has been honest about the fact that it will probably give me '80% reduction' and that total hair removal is practically impossible.

    But... I'm not honestly sure I can see any difference yet, which I would have expected to some extent. I have the 'perfect' colouring for it (Irish with pale skin and black hair) but I'm not certain that this is actually working!
  • wriglucy
    wriglucy Posts: 1,064 Member
    How is it compared to waxing?

    It's permanent.

    I had it done on my underarms. I still have to shave but really only like once every week or 2. They told me that any touch up was free, but now they are saying that I would have to pay $40 for the room, and then I'd get 40 pulses for free. So...we'll see if I go back. I can handle once a week if needed.
  • maab_connor
    maab_connor Posts: 3,927 Member
    too ginger??? this just ruined my plans. i was planning on getting everything done eventually... but judging by your pic, i too am too ginger. damn it. they can't discriminate on us like that! it's b/c we're evil. LOL.

    srsly though, this sucks!
  • PBJunkie
    PBJunkie Posts: 652
    How is it compared to waxing?

    It's permanent.

    I had it done on my underarms. I still have to shave but really only like once every week or 2. They told me that any touch up was free, but now they are saying that I would have to pay $40 for the room, and then I'd get 40 pulses for free. So...we'll see if I go back. I can handle once a week if needed.

    I can only imagine it would hurt a lot more
  • alise_lmx
    alise_lmx Posts: 292 Member
    I got my bikini line done at ideal image. I think I had 9 sessions, each six weeks apart. I finished about a year ago and it has been AWESOME. I highly recommend it. I can't remember exactly how much it cost, I think it was about $1200-1500. I freaked out after I signed the contract, but once I started going I have never regretted it since. It's a "lifetime guarantee" but you have to pay $40 for any touchups, which is kind of stupid but I haven't had to go back since. It has seriously changed my life, lol, I LOVE not having to shave. I don't care about shaving my legs or armpits but I freaking hated having to shave my bikini line.
  • alise_lmx
    alise_lmx Posts: 292 Member
    How is it compared to waxing?

    It's permanent.

    I had it done on my underarms. I still have to shave but really only like once every week or 2. They told me that any touch up was free, but now they are saying that I would have to pay $40 for the room, and then I'd get 40 pulses for free. So...we'll see if I go back. I can handle once a week if needed.

    I can only imagine it would hurt a lot more

    I used to get waxed. I think this hurts less. It took 5 or 10 min MAX and it was felt like getting a bad sunburn, but only while the laser was on. I had no pain after.
  • Mios3
    Mios3 Posts: 530 Member
    How is it compared to waxing?

    It's permanent.

    I had it done on my underarms. I still have to shave but really only like once every week or 2. They told me that any touch up was free, but now they are saying that I would have to pay $40 for the room, and then I'd get 40 pulses for free. So...we'll see if I go back. I can handle once a week if needed.

    I can only imagine it would hurt a lot more

    I used to get waxed. I think this hurts less. It took 5 or 10 min MAX and it was felt like getting a bad sunburn, but only while the laser was on. I had no pain after.


    I love the idea of it being permanent, but maybe (TMI) it just seems like it would hurt to wipe after a treatment like that...
    I don't really sunburn, but the one time I did on my shoulders.. MAN that *kitten* hurt every time my shirt rubbed.
  • PBJunkie
    PBJunkie Posts: 652
    I used to get waxed. I think this hurts less. It took 5 or 10 min MAX and it was felt like getting a bad sunburn, but only while the laser was on. I had no pain after.

    Thanks :smile:
  • alise_lmx
    alise_lmx Posts: 292 Member
    How is it compared to waxing?

    It's permanent.

    I had it done on my underarms. I still have to shave but really only like once every week or 2. They told me that any touch up was free, but now they are saying that I would have to pay $40 for the room, and then I'd get 40 pulses for free. So...we'll see if I go back. I can handle once a week if needed.

    I can only imagine it would hurt a lot more

    I used to get waxed. I think this hurts less. It took 5 or 10 min MAX and it was felt like getting a bad sunburn, but only while the laser was on. I had no pain after.


    I love the idea of it being permanent, but maybe (TMI) it just seems like it would hurt to wipe after a treatment like that...
    I don't really sunburn, but the one time I did on my shoulders.. MAN that *kitten* hurt every time my shirt rubbed.

    For me, I never had any pain after I left each treatment. It didn't stay like a sunburn pain, i honestly would forget about it and had no pain whatsoever. But it probably depends on the strength of the laser, maybe it would feel a little sore if it was stronger. The darker the hair, the stronger the laser needs to be. And it doesn't work very well on darker-toned skin or if you have very light hair.
  • AshjMusik
    AshjMusik Posts: 113 Member
    Thx for ur feedback everyone!
  • messyinthekitchen
    messyinthekitchen Posts: 662 Member
    I think it has to do with your skin color and hair color. I am very fair with dark hair. I got my bikini line done, it took 9 sessions, and I got it done in a plastic surgeons office. I paid per time. That a lot of money upfront.
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