Has anyone had laser hair removal?

Wasn't sure where to post this one - but I'm thinking that laser hair removal may be my BIG reward once I hit my goal weight, so for me, it's motivation. :)

But I was curious to hear any feedback about your personal experiences with laser hair removal.  I know it's pricey (I've looked into it before) but did it hurt? Was it worth it to you?  Did it work?  I've heard it's quite painful, but for me to never have to shave my underarms and, uh, there, ever again...that would be sooo worth it.  What do you all think?  Is this a good choice as a reward for my hard work once I make it that far?  Or are there any possibly better suggestions?  What are you all rewarding yourself with?

Thx!  B

My friend had it done a couple of years ago. She said it didn't hurt but you could smell the hair burning. Her results were pretty good but she has said she might have to go back and have a couple spots redone. If you do decide to go make sure they know what they are doing. You don't want to get burned and scarred.

I was thinking of doing this same thing!!!

Does anyone know how much certain areas cost? I know it depends on the procedure and the amount of hair you have (I am pretty hairy for a girl and I have thick dark hair). But say.... for a bikini area it costs $x, for upper lip area costs $x.

I have gotten it done several times, at three different places. My biggest advice to you is to do the research at get it done at a legitimate doctors office!!! Not just a lazer place! My mom got very severely burned at the second place we went to (and slightly burned, with no hair loss results at the first). So be very careful who you choose to go to, try to speak to people who have been to the person that you are looking into going to. Also, the results take many treatments, which I'm sure you would know if you have done your research. I have gone probably about 8-10 times and am still not finished. I believe if I went to someone more knowledgeable the first few times my treatment number would have been reduced (again another benefit of doing your research!). Also depending on your skin color you will have an easier/harder time with the treatment. I have olive toned skin, and if I am tan they recommend me to wait on the treatments, because they can be more effective the lighter your skin. But with that said there are specific lazers for darker skin, I believe just most of the time they take a greater number of treatments to get the same effect.

All in all though, if you do it right it is so worth it. I have about one/two treatments left for my underarms and two/three for my lower legs and it is a joy not to have to shave several times a week! Oh, and pain wise, again if your technician knows what they are doing it is likely there will be LESS pain. Legs are really not painful for me, but I ice my underarms before they do the treatment to cut down on the feeling. It is definitely deal-able though.

I had IPL 2 years ago - intensive plused light, it like the newer version of laser, no pain, no burns, and no burnt hair smell- yuck. It takes about 6-8 sessions every 6 weeks to completely remove the hair and then you may need a follow up session every year. It works best on white skin and dark hair so perfect for bikini etc.

Id definately recommend it as wasnt painful just a little uncomfortable and the results are great. They use a large machien which has a laser about half the size of a thumb, which is pressed against the skin. It sends a flash of light into the hair root (you need to shave first) which is a strange feeling like a hot pin prick, but the pain is instant, less than a second and theres no redness etc afterwards. The hair root dies within about 10 days and the hair falles out. The hair will grown back between sessions until your course is completed but the hair becomes very soft thin so much better.

Ive only had one waxing before and it was incrediably painful and i was red for days after. IPL is nothing like that, no mess, almost painfree, i could have it done at lunch time.

I would definately make this a treat for when you hit your goal. Make life so much easier not having to wax or shave constantly.

Remember though that it's NOT PERMANENT. There will always be some regrowth, though it might be lighter/thinner.

It is way better than waxing for comfort and efficacy, but also way more expensive.

Bikini, for example, will cost you probably at least $2000 for a series of treatments over the course of a year at a reputable clinic.

And there are no guarantees. 

My bikini line cost me about $400 (Canadian dollars) for four treatments spaced 6 weeks apart. There is very little hair now in the cleared areas. Definitely painful, but also definitely worth it. Make sure you do your research on the place and provider, though. 

It's been about two years and I'm very happy with the results. I'd get my underarms done if I wasn't so darned ticklish!

I just wanted to make a note since I see some more postings here. I have to disagree with feydruss, in that if you see the right person, you will experience hair loss that is in the long term if you continue treatments completely PERMANENT. The way it works is that hair grows in cycles so realistically if you do want to get EVERYTHING (and want to be as cost efficient as possible) you want to leave several months between treatments so that the "new" hairs will have a chance to grow and cycle. And if you do go to someone who knows their stuff, and they tell you that you are a viable candidate, it pretty much is guaranteed that at some point you will see the result of no hair (although the number of treatments could be more than the standard 6-8 or whatever they tell you).

xzcandizx - I agree with you about feydruss' post.

Feydruss - are you sure we're talking about the same treatment? It would seem that $2000 is very very expensive for laser.

Thanks everyone, good info!  I didn't have a chance to get back on and check the forum 'til now.  I had looked around a couple of places in the past and the prices varied.  I've talked to a few people around here that have done the treatments, also with a range of opinions.   The IPL sounds like a pretty cool option too - I'll have to look into that.  I think I will choose this as my reward, so long as I can afford to do so at the time.  I will certainly do the research - you have to for things like this.  I had one cosmetic procedure done in the past and I researched for over a year before moving foward - well worth it!  Thanks for the input and suggestions, very much appreciated guys!

Do not go through with it unless you want to spend alot of money and still not be satisfied.  I have so many horror stories.  I live in Mobile, al and I went to Julianne Terry of Electrolysis and Associates http://www.laseaway.com

Also I went to The martin Center http://www.themartincenter.com

and I have been living a nightmare every since.  For the first place, she took the laser and went all over places that i didnt ask for her to go there- my neck, chin, sides of my face and under chin, and now hair is growing in those places.  Initially I only had light hairs, now there are dark, coarse, longer growing hairs.  I had over 20 treatments with her.  The next place is The Martin Center I had 35 treatments in one area on my chin with 10% results and spending alot of money they used the laser Syneron on me and now they have a new laser and they went up on the price 4x what i was quoted in the beginning and they will lie only to get money.  They are not about helping you only making money.  I now have discoloration and bad skin still with hair growing and I feel like I been living a nightmare.