Thanks for posting such a detailed journal. It really helps answer questions. Did you have all of the bikini area done?? I'm on my second treatment and I don't think it's working on the hair very close to my lips. This is so disappointing and it itches like crazy as the hair starts to regrow. Have you had better results?

I left a strip, so I'm not getting the area that close to the one you're talking about. I would talk to the tech and let them know what your worries are. chances are they can be more careful in targetting areas more precisely.

I've been having some electrolysis on bikini and underarms since December when I last posted on the very few hairs that sprang up here and there. overall, i would say the reduction remains stable at around 95%. the new hairs are very thin and fine and sparse. I've probably had 4-5 15 min sessions on underarms (I've had 5 laser treatments there) and two 5 mins sessions on bikini (had 6 laser treatments there) to get those few hairs. they're also not noticeable and easily shaveable without shaving cream or even wetting the area. they're that thin and sparse. It's not a big deal since I'm getting electrolysis on other areas anyways, so I have the electrologists grab those few. You find you become a bit obsessed with being completely clear after doing laser, so what I'm doing is not really necessary

I've also had 2 more laser sessions on the bikini/perianal area (different from what I had done before) to take off a bit more than I did before and well as clean up the perianal area. Both responded very well, in the same way as the other parts in that vicinity. There are still some fine hairs on the perianal area, and I'm deciding whether to get 1-2 more treatments there for it to be completely clear. But I'm not that worried about it as there is so little there now, and I'm spending a lot on electrolysis on my other areas (abdomen, eyebrows etc). So we'll see.

It's November 06. Most of your initial laser treatments for abdomen and underarms for the black hair ended in 05. How are your results almost 1 year out?

I've been getting electrolysis on the abdomen and the sparse hairs on the underarms since. The abdomen treatments are going well and I'm close to being done. I haven't really been very proactive in getting to a clearance quickly on that area so it's taking a bit longer. the reason being that I am doing electrolysis on several areas at once (eyebrows, abdomen, nipple, underarm, bikini, upper lip, etc). i'm getting close to being done with most areas now. on the underarms, we get about 8-10 hairs a month or so. i haven't shaved since my laser treatments there at all. bikini is also pretty clear on the areas where i had 6 treatments. i think i'll need a 4th treatment soon on the other part where I got more treatments later since I decided I wanted a bit more removed. Since my last (second or third, i don't remember now) treatment on that one area, the hairs from the last cycle started coming in about a week ago (it's been 3 months now or so I think). I haven't shaved the bikini area either. never need to really.

my underarm after 5 GentleLASE treatments and some electrolysis to get the fine sparse hairs. this is right prior to last electrolysis treatment 4 weeks ago.

Very nice.

I'm having my underarms done now (have done the majority of my upper lip/chin, although that is a damned stubborn area.)

I can't wait to not have to deal with the underarms anymore. Will take til the end of 2007.

I bet you don't miss shaving the underarms.

Yes, I love not even thinking about them ever and not having a shadow. I can wear whatever I want, sleeves or no sleeves, whenever. I always waxed previously because shaving would still leave an obvious shadow.

Just an update. I had a short treatment today that should be my last. This wasn't for any "new" hair. This is another treatment on just the areas that I decided to add later when I decided that I want more removed from the bikini and perianal areas. Took about 5 mins. Now, 4 hours later, there is no sign that anything has been done at all. All redness gone as usual. We used 20 joules at 15mm and I'm not even at my whitest at this point since I just got back from Cancun and I tanned beforehand.

Btw, I feel like I'm almost completely done with everything at this point, with both laser and electrolysis. It's a nice feeling! I don't need to go for electrolysis more than once a month and the treatments are under 30 mins now. There is no maintenance involved at all. I signed up for the gym and went swimming and I didn't have to even think about shaving or using a razor at all. It's great. No more plucking of eyebrows, bleaching abdomen and upper lip, and no more waxing. Sweet