Question
Hi everyone!
Ive been considering laser hair removal for quite some time now, but I have so many questions!
I'm getting married toward the end of May and was hoping to be done with the process by then.. but now I'm seeing that it may take much longer..
I was wondering if anyone can help me answer my questions..
First off, some background info about me:
I am hoping to get LHR for my legs and bikini line, especially because I have a lot of problems with ingrown hairs and I dont know what to do about it.. its driving me crazy..
Also, I am very white and I have dark hair -- I heard these characteristics are good for LHR.. ??
so:
1) How much would something like that cost? (Bikini line and legs)
and 2) How many treatments do you think it would require?? (How much time would that entail??)
I would REAAALLLYYY appreciate any sort of feedback.. I'm really stuck here and I'm not sure what to do.. my biggest problems are ingrown hairs.. if anything, does anyone know a way to get rid of them??
please help!!


Answer
Hi everyone!
Ive been considering laser hair removal for quite some time now, but I have so many questions!
I'm getting married toward the end of May and was hoping to be done with the process by then.. but now I'm seeing that it may take much longer..
I was wondering if anyone can help me answer my questions..
First off, some background info about me:
I am hoping to get LHR for my legs and bikini line, especially because I have a lot of problems with ingrown hairs and I dont know what to do about it.. its driving me crazy..
Also, I am very white and I have dark hair -- I heard these characteristics are good for LHR.. ??
so:
1) How much would something like that cost? (Bikini line and legs)
and 2) How many treatments do you think it would require?? (How much time would that entail??)
I would REAAALLLYYY appreciate any sort of feedback.. I'm really stuck here and I'm not sure what to do.. my biggest problems are ingrown hairs.. if anything, does anyone know a way to get rid of them??
please help!!


Answer
How much it costs depends on where you live. In my area (Washington), one can find places that do full legs and bikini area from $350 to $600 per treatment. This could get a little expensive, depending on where you go. There are many places that offer packages as well as first time discounts. Check the yellow pages and the internet yellow pages for places in your area. Sometimes, you'll find places with coupons on their websites.
The treatments will probably be between 8-10 weeks apart and you'd probably need at least 6 treatments. There is no way to tell without being seen and how well the LHR treatments are working. Some people, for some reason, don't get satisfying results with LHR, even after many treatments. Each individual is different and there is no way to predict how well a candidate really is. From your description (light skin with dark hair), you are more than likely an ideal candidate, but that's not a guarantee.
I am a male and, from what I've read, males don't have as much success as females (probably due to testosterone (spelling??) levels). I am satisfied with my results.

Answer
Hello. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding.
Your skin hair and hair color will work well with laser as laser looks for contrast in colors and pigmentation.
On average most people need 4 to 5 treatments to get rid of their hair. The treatment intervals are 4-8 weeks normally but differ slightly depending on area of the body, your personal hair growth etc.
I can tell you my pricing at ExcelLase in the Five Points area of Raleigh, North Carolina. For 5 treatments of full legs and bikini I would charge $1800 with a two year guarantee to touch up on re-growth. Shop around in your area for the best deal.
Considering your schedule for the wedding, I would probably ask you to come every 5 weeks, so by May you would look pretty good. Hope this helps.

Answer
bikini cost will depend on how much you want gone and varies from $100-250 per treatment. Legs are usually split into lower legs and upper legs, with each area costing around $125-300 per treatment. You will need 6-8 treatments for considerate removal, but if you have light skin and dark coarse hair as you stated, you will see pretty good results after about 3-4 treatments (so in time for your wedding). Shaving will be easy already after only a few treatments and you will likely get almost no ingrowns. Ingrowns in my bikini area have pretty much been eliminated after laser. I had the same issue as you beforehand.
Most important thing for you is to find a good experienced laser tech and go on a consistent schedule. You will need someone with either a diode or alexandrite laser and someone who knows enough to treat you at highest settings your skin can handle without any burning.
Bikini is one of the best reacting areas to laser, so I think you will be happy with your results even after a few treatments. It has made my life my easier just after 2 treatments. I've never been able to shave before without irritation. Now, I don't need to shave at all most of the time. Just a some fine hairs left that are easily removed with a dry razor.
I recommend trying to run a search for a reputable recommended tech on these forums for someone in your area as well. Have a few consultations and compare techs and prices before you decide.
Good luck.

Answer
oh you guys are the bestttt!
Thank you all so much for your quick replies!
If anyone has any more information to add, all will be appreciated, but as it is, I think everyone did a great job of quelling my concerns..
Oh, and as far as location is concerned -- I live in Orange County, California.. I would surmise that many people in this area [based on demographics] would be doing LHR and the like -- so I'm not sure if the popularity of such treatments would either increase the prices or perhaps decrease them?
Would any of you happen to know?
If not, I will continue to research some LHR centers in my area as you all recommended.
Thanks again soo soo much!

Answer
I go to an actual dermatologist in Beverly Hills and am very satisfied with my results. He uses alexandrite GentleLASE laser. The only place I've heard of in Orange County is Sona, and although I haven't heard much about this particular location of this chain, I wouldn't recommend it due to their "specified" treatment schedules that are more in line with them routing customer traffic rather than your best interests in mind of how to kill the most hair. Plus, with most chain clinics, you have to pay for all treatments up front, and I prefer not to do that. With my doctor, I pay as I go, so technically I can stop whenever if I'm not satisfied for some reason or just don't want to continue at any point without losing any money.
There is also a place in West Hollywood that is recommended. I tried Dr Brandeis in Beverly Hills as well and didn't like the experience and didn't get any results from one treatment there compared to my other treatments with my original doctor.