Question
I went to University Laser in Los Angeles (Westwood) and they said my hair was too light for laser to be effective. I'm particularly interested in the whole bikini area. It's really closer to light brown than blonde. Has anyone with light hair ever had effective treatment anywhere?
Is it worth it to have some laser treatments and follow up with electrolysis or is electrolysis my only option? Can you do electrolysis EVERYWHERE? You know what I mean.

Answer
I went to University Laser in Los Angeles (Westwood) and they said my hair was too light for laser to be effective. I'm particularly interested in the whole bikini area. It's really closer to light brown than blonde. Has anyone with light hair ever had effective treatment anywhere?
Is it worth it to have some laser treatments and follow up with electrolysis or is electrolysis my only option? Can you do electrolysis EVERYWHERE? You know what I mean.

Answer
i wouldn't go with that place since they have an IPL machine, not a true laser and a few people had a bad experience there. but what they told you might be true. you might have a chance, but definitely not with their laser. in order to see if laser would work at all, you can have a few consultations and test spots done with either an alexandrite or diode laser at high settings (your skin needs to be pretty light for that). if you see shedding of the hair treated within 2-3 weeks, then it has enough pigment to be targeted by laser. if not, electrolysis is the only option. Yes, electrolysis can be done on any area.

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That's great info. Do you have any favorite places to get a consult in Los Angeles?

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I go to Dr. Babapour in Beverly Hills. He uses GentleLASE alexandrite laser. You can contact him and see if he will do a test spot for you. If you search this forum (use the search feature above and type "Los Angeles"), you will find discussion on other places around here. Not many have been tried, but there are a couple. There is a place in W. Hollywood on Santa Monica Blvd that someone recommended, they use a LightSheer diode laser.
I've also tried 3 electrologists around here. So if you need a recommendation, I can help a bit.

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I have treated light brown/dark blond hair around bikini with success. As long as the hair has some tint of brown pigmentation in it, the laser can see it. But if it is true blond, white or clear, the laser does not affect it. I am in Raleigh, NC so cannot help you. But presuming you have light skin, an Alexandrite laser at the right setting should be effective.... Good luck. ExcelLase (919)833-8484

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nchair, how long have you been doing laser hair removal? If I'm correct in my thinking, it hasn't been long enough for you to know for sure that your treatments on lighter colored hairs have been successful.

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Yes, I would appreciate a good electrolygist referral if you have one!