I decided to get laser hair removal after years of shaving and waxing and my life has completely changed for the better! I have fair skin and thick dark hair. For years I’ve been struggling with how to manage in-grown hairs, and red bumps after shaving. Also, my hair grows back so fast! I would shave one night and the next day start to see the roots come in! If I shaved too often I could chaff and it would be bad news bears. If this is interesting already keep reading to learn more about my laser hair removal experience.
I workout pretty often so shaving my underarms was always something I had to worry about. It wasn’t like I could take a break in the winters (like I do my legs). If I was at any sort of workout I would be wearing just my sports bra or a tank and my underarms would be seen and make me feel uncomfortable.
Summer’s were also an issue! My underarms would get so sensitive if I shaved them too often which is what I was forced to do. I found a good solution for the time being which was to use the Venus Comfort Glide Razors which essentially helped prevent red bumps because the “moisture bars release light body butters, helping the razor glide seamlessly over the skin”.
Waxing vs Laser Removal
There was one year in college that I would get Brazilian waxes for a full year every month. Now thinking about all the pain and money spent I could have saved by just getting laser hair removal.
I had heard from a few friends about their experience getting laser (and it was all positive), and I was definitely curious. Laser just seemed like such a commitment of time and money. I was wary about the technology and if it was legit. Honestly, I wasn’t too concerned or scared about the pain, remember I had already done full Brazilian waxes for a year.
I started to read more about it, and one day came across a Groupon I couldn’t resist. It was $99 for a full year of laser for a small area. I decided to do my underarms, and I got 9 sessions out of it! The sessions were quick and pain-free. There are a few things I learned along the way.
10 Tips and Things I Learned
- Make sure you shave the night before. You don’t want to shave the morning of because your skin will be sensitive.
- Try to schedule around your period so you’re not as hormonal aka sensitive.
- Shave as close to the skin as possible. You will feel more heat if the hair is exposed because the lasers work to target pigment, aka your hair.
- It’s suggested not to workout 24 hrs after your session so that you’re not irritating the area, although sometimes I do and nothing bad has happened. I can’t help it!
- Exfoliate every 3 days, 10 days after your session to help remove dead skin and help the hair follicles to fall out.
- Don’t pluck your hairs, I’ll admit I think I’ve done this once or twice, but have tried really hard not to. Overall, laser treatment helps with ingrown hairs so you will see them less and less. If there’s one that bugs you, your technician can always help remove it.
- Don’t take collagen while doing laser. Collagen helps strengthen your hair, and this will make it harder for the hairs to fall out.
- Your sessions should be 5-6 weeks apart. Apparently, with your underarms, you can push to 4 weeks.
- In my experience, it doesn’t hurt. You feel a little pinching sensation. If anything it can feel a little hot, but you can ask your technician to turn it lower if you’re uncomfortable.
- It’s super quick, and can take about 15 minutes! It’s so fast that I go during my lunch hour at work. I’m in and out of there!
After 9 Sessions of underarms, I’m seeing significant results. It’s about a 75% hair reduction. However, because the underarms are such a hormonal area it’s tough to get rid of the hair 100%. So I am doing three more sessions for a total of 12. It’s important to know that you will have to do occasional touch-up sessions throughout your lifetime. The frequency depends from person to person.
As of now, I’m and SO happy with my underarm results. You have to be patient, and it’s a process but it’s so worth it. I do my sessions during my lunch hour at work. It’s so easy and efficient.
There was a time I forgot to shave and the technician helped me shave in the room during my session. I would suggest setting up a calendar reminder to shave the night before so you don’t forget!
My Recommendation
I go to Step Up Skin Laser and the staff is so friendly, and the technicians experienced. I always ask a million questions when I’m in there and they help explain to you the process every step of the way so you know what to expect.
After your third session you may see a significant hair reduction, but then on your fourth session see all the hair come back. That’s because your body has three cycles of hair growth, and the goal is to zap every cycle at least three times for a total of 9 sessions.
My arm pits are smooth and I feel so much more confident day to day because it’s one less thing to worry about. I can now down dog yoga and have peace of mind.
Photos by: Travis Hucek
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