Quick background, I am planning to get laser hair removal for my underarms and full bikini (full Brazilian). I have Type II skin with dark, coarse hair in these areas. Many of my pores have 2 hairs coming out of them.
I scheduled a consultation appointment for laser hair removal and they gave me estimated costs over the phone. They said that underarm treatments are $150/treatment and full bikini is $275/treatment. She also said that they typically only need 4 treatments (seems low from what I’ve read on here).
They use the Gentlease Laser. This is the only laser hair removal place within a 3 hour radius of me.
Do these costs seem reasonable? Are they overly optimistic about it only taking 4 treatments? I will ask about a guarantee (I’ll take the list of questions in), but do most places offer any guarantees?
these prices are reasonable, especially for an area where there aren’t many options. this is the best laser for your skin and hair type. guarantees are not meaningful. that’s not what you should be looking for at all. 4 treatments is a bit low, but sometimes it’s hard for clinics to sell a service that will take more than a year to complete, so they tend to advertise the low end of things. you’ll probably need 6-8 treatments for 95% + removal on those areas. for 100%, you’ll need to finish with electrolysis, plus probably have a treatment once every 2-3 years or so to get any lone hairs your body develops with time.
Yesterday, I got a $225 to $275 similar quote for the male equivalent bikini to Brazilian only with the Gentlease laser. The esthetician was excellent in a high cost area of town. Probably not the best price you could get, but she was extremely experienced. Not an area you want to mess around with.
The other thing is four treatments was not going to be enough. She suggested anticipating 7 treatments before you could expect good and permanent clearing. Also, if you are waxing or tanning, you can no longer continue.
Pain might be an issue too. You might want to pay full price for a first treatment before continuing on so you know what to expect. I know my treatments for non-laser treatments have been painful, but I am a guy (wimp!).
Make sure you know your estheticians experience and credentials. Perhaps I am age biased, but age and experience are a good thing.
I am like you, just getting into this. There is a lot of experience and research in this website. I cannot claim to be anywhere as knowledgeable as most of the people here - what I am telling you is what I have read. This is all new to me - my wife suggested shaving three months ago (and I liked it) In that time I have progressed to waxing and electrolysis. Lately, I have looked into laser but based upon my convervsation with the esthetician, I may not be a good candidate - prematurely grayish hair down there.
Quick update from me… I had a wonderful consultation appointment and am headed back for my first treatment on Monday!
And after talking with the nurse during my consultation, she told me to anticipate about 8 treatments.
I’ll write back here again after my first treatment. I’m nervous and excited…
Al, did you decide to move forward with laser? The nurse mentioned that for graying hairs, they can use a spray to color the hairs to make it more effective (still not ideal).
Yeah, she said it didn’t work really well, but for those that were turning gray and wanted to get what they could, the results might be a bit better. I was just trying to help Al out if I could.
Thank you Ellie Mae, I did not know that the coloring product existed. The laserologist (zap master?) did not mention it. She was somewhat ambivalent whether I should continue electrolysis or laser.
Actually LA Girl gave me some good advice and she is a fantastic resource You need to read some of the things she has written. Probably, in hindsight, I would have done laser already. When I sat down with the laser aesthetician, we decided I continue through the end of the month with electrology.
EM, did you have good skin color and hair type for the laser? Let me know details of your first treatment Monday. I am really curious about your experience (pain level, time, etc.). Did they say it was about 20 minutes? Are you getting the full Monty or just the bikini area. Although our anatomy is not the same, I am curious if the pain and the results differ in different areas? Painwise, I consider electrology pain to range between getting gently poked with a needle to having your skin crushed between needle nose pliers, and waxing is 5 seconds of having your worst band aid pulled off.
I hope you have great results! You have a great attitude - good luck Monday!
the hair darkening product is called meladine, though everyone on these boards who’s tried it reported no difference.
i have had both laser and electrolysis done. in terms of pain, it’s completely different. electrolysis can be negligible as you describe or a bit more painful especially on certain areas, but it lasts a long time, which becomes less bearable after a while. laser definitely hurts at good settings, but it is also very quick. getting my underarms lasered is actually faster than waxing. the whole thing takes about 5 mins at most for both. plus, the pain doesn’t last. it only hurts when it hits the skin. plus, ice packs help a lot.
You need to read some of the things she has written. Probably, in hindsight, I would have done laser already. When I sat down with the laser aesthetician, we decided I continue through the end of the month with electrology.