Laser Hair Removal: a chunk of money, a heap of pain… and totally worth it!

I don’t think it’s any secret that women take a break from epilation during the winter. (Opaque tights were invented for a reason). I assumed I was going to use the colder months to complete my laser hair removal treatments, but it seems that out of sight truly is out of mind. That’s sure changed, now that all the new spring clothes are in stock.

It’s been six months since my last LHR session, but it’s not just hibernation (more…)

The things we’ll suffer for beauty.

A few weeks ago I went into my LHR appointment feeling confident (cocky?) with my Tylenol 3, saying “Bring on the Joules! Let blow these hairs away!” But the pain! I suffered silently, hoping to meditate it away. It’s pretty tough though when a laser is snapping at your skin once a second and the smell of burning hair is wafting past your nose….  

So, is the worth it? The teeth gritting, the…. (more…)

Forget Emla, it’s all about the Ibuprofen.

Every skin type has a maximum allowable laser heat setting. My type (dark forest growth on ghost-like skin) allows me quite a bit of room for increase. Which I’m all for, if it leads to the desired deforestation. At my last LRH appointment I had mentioned that, though the hair was growing back finer, I hadn’t really noticed any bare patches. Verdict? (more…)

Have recently discovered that Blogspot has blocked my site meaning that no one can read about my fabulous LHR adventures. After tiring of waiting for the restored access, I’ve switched over to WordPress and am getting the blog back on track. So sorry for the confusion, am getting all caught up…

My bikini line looks like it’s been attacked by bees, but against all expectations I am so happy. It’s my second LHR treatment on the area and I’ve just learned that if a hair is particularily close to the surface when it’s zapped, a temporary swelling will occur. Close to surface = ingrown hair. Meaning each “mosquito bite” represents a conquered nemesis. Take that blasted hairs! (Meniacle laughter ensues.) Did you know (more…)

As we’ve already discussed, the laser needs to zap the follicle during the hair’s anagen (growing) phase in order to kill the hair. But this is the sweet part: 5 to 10 days the area has been zapped, (more…)

Is laser hair removal the most comfortable activity? No. Are there a few zaps (generally over the bony areas) that make me bite my tongue to hold back the cursing? Yes. But truly ladies the pain is temporary. It only lasts for as long as the zap (about 1.5 seconds). Zap ends, pain ends. Believe me, stubbing your toe is 1000 times worse. Because stubbing your toe brings seemingly ceaseless surges of pain. LHR is NOT like that. Besides, I’m subjecting myself to the discomfort willingly and for vanity. There are countless worse hardships in the world so I really have no right to complain. Suck it up. Reap the rewards.

It’s the morning of my first LHR appointment and I’m beyond excited. I’ve ensured that I woke up extra early in order to shave my legs really well. (Ironically, after years of selling e Shave shaving cream but, as a waxer, not using it myself, I’ve finally discovered how truly fabulous it is.) I’m also sure to apply the Emla before getting dressed.

After a quick easy busride on the #1 from downtown, I’m brought almost to Salon Indigo’s door. Deborah greets me immediately (more…)

No plucking or waxing for six weeks before your first appointment. You can shave as often as you like, and in fact will need to shave super close the day of the treatment. You may miss a few hair so bring a razor with you to the session.

I used to think that I could use waxing to manipulate my hair growth (more…)

Body Hair (arm, leg and back): treated every 10 to 12 weeks. Two full legs take about 1½ hours
Sexual Hair (bikini, underarm): treated every 6 to 8 weeks. The two together take about 1½ hours.
Facial Hair treated every 4 to 6 weeks. Time varies from just a few minutes to ½ hour, depending on the surface area.
It is recommended that each area undergoes six consecutive treatments.
The laser needs to hit the hair during its anagen (growing) stage in order to be effective. The length of the hair’s dormancy is a factor in the schedule. The goal is to maximize the number of anagen hairs targetted during a session.