Laser Hair Removal Q&A

If you’re thinking about laser hair removal, if it works, if it hurts, if it’s worth the price, or other questions, this post is for you! I’m sharing all about my experience after two years of laser hair removal treatment.

Why I started laser hair removal

Two years ago, after we moved to Dallas, I found a Groupon for laser hair removal at a local place. It had incredible reviews so I figured I’d give it a try.

I always get pretty bad razor burn, especially on my bikini line, and I hoped this would help during the summer when I was in a swimsuit all the time.

Two years later, and twelve treatments in, I can testify that YES, it has been life changing, and YES it is a game changer with swimsuit season, and YES, it’s worth every penny.

Time to answer your questions about this treatment!

I had only mentioned it once, a few years ago when I shared 10 of my favorite products from 2019. But I shared about it on Instagram stories a few months ago when I went in for an appointment, and thousands of you wanted to hear more about it.

So here’s a little Q&A about my laser hair removal experience!

Laser hair removal Q&A

Q: where did you go?

I go to Sedo Laser in Southlake. They just re-did the entire building and it’s stunning, clean, super friendly and professional, and all the techs I’ve worked with have been really great and knowledgable.

Q: how many treatments?

I think I started with a total of nine treatments every six weeks. They recommend a minimum of six to see results. I did these over the course of a year, and then they were closed for a while during COVID so I didn’t go back for almost another full year. Now I’m three treatments into my second round of hair removal.

Q: is it permanent or is routine maintenance needed?

It’s going to depend on the individual and also the laser that’s used, but it’s designed to be permanent. If you’re going to a crappy place with low quality lasers, you won’t see the same long term results. After nine treatments in 2019, I literally had almost zero hair left and rarely had to shave. If I did, it was just small touchups. It took almost a year for hair to grow back a little bit, and now it’s very sparse. The additional treatments will help take that away permanently too.

I’ve heard that your hormones can affect it over time though — people have said that they’ve done it before having children and then after pregnancies their hair grew back in some areas again.

But again, if you have a high quality laser and techs that know what they’re doing, you’re going to get better long term results.

Q: how many sessions for results?

They recommend six, but it’s going to depend on your hair. Again, I’ve had twelve sessions over a 2 1/2 year span.

Q: is it painful?

It hasn’t really been for me. Before I did laser, I did waxing and THAT was painful. The machine Sedo Laser uses blows air at the same time the laser zaps, so you feel cold air instead of the heat of the laser.

This year I’ve started doing my full legs and honestly that feels good — it feels like someone’s tickling your legs with the tips of their fingernails…I actually enjoy it!

But I also do my Brazilian area and there are some tender areas that are quite uncomfortable, but they move quickly so the pain doesn’t last so long. Waxing was 1000 times worse.

Q: how much is it?

This will depend on where you go. I started with the Groupon since that gave me like 8 sessions for the cost of 2. So I knew I could test it out for a while without a big price risk. I wouldn’t do a groupon for just anywhere…check reviews, look at the company’s website, and do your research before pulling the trigger on a groupon. Make sure it’s actually worth your pennies.

After the groupon was used up, I joined their Sedo Select for a year where I paid a monthly fee of $125 to get a credit. Now I have a bunch of credits stored up so I use those…one credit for 30 minutes of lasering. Because it’s thirty full minutes, and the Brazilian lasering only lasts for maybe fifteen minutes, we also do my armpits and my legs. Normally Brazilian and underarms (and no legs) at their salon is $250 per session, so this is a huge savings.

Q: what areas did you do?

Armpits, legs, and full Brazilian.

Q: can you shave between sessions?

Yes! I like this better than with waxing, cause with waxing your hair has to be long when you arrive. With lasering, it has to be shaved. So you can continue to shave as normal.

Q: do you have to scrub off a spray tan first?

Yep.

Q: does it REALLY work?

It REALLY does! I have no razor burns, I never have to shave when I put on a swimsuit (except maybe a stray here or there), and it doesn’t grow back! It takes time and a good number of sessions to see results, but I started seeing some results within three sessions.

Q: does it hurt during or after?

Only in certain sensitive areas it’s a little painful. Also if you missed a spot when shaving, it zaps that hair and that’s painful. So shave carefully before your appointment!

Q: are there limitations on what you can do after? (exercise, swim, etc.)

Nope!

Q: what areas do you recommend treating?

For me, the bikini line is the biggest game changer for the summer and travel, because I don’t have to shave and I don’t get those red bumps in that area when wearing a swimsuit day after day. That is HUGE for me.

I just decided to get Brazilian because as long as I’m getting it done on the bikini line, I might as well get the rest so I don’t have to shave or trim that area as well. But that’s totally a personal decision.

I’m really bad at shaving my legs consistently (I also miss areas around my knees and rarely shave above my knee), so when I had the time in my 30 minute session with my Sedo Select credit, I decided to my legs too. It’s definitely a luxury not having to shave my legs as often, but I don’t think it’s necessary.

Also I feel the same about armpits. I don’t have dark, thick hair there, so it’s not as big of a deal for me. But also I saw the fastest results in that area…after only a few appointments, I only have to shave about once a week. It’s fantastic, but definitely also a luxury.

Q. what do you wear to the appointment?

I wear comfortable clothing that’s easy to slip off. The tech leaves the room while I change and get on the table. They have a towel for me to cover myself up with on the table (I leave my bra on) and then lift areas as they do my Brazilian lasering. They make me feel super comfortable the whole time.

Q. how did you know you found a trustworthy place?

First, look at reviews on google, yelp, and on their website. Then go get a consultation. Most places will offer a free one so you can check out the location and meet the staff.

Q. Do you have any side effects?

None!

Q. does it eliminate the need to wax?

Yes!! I never wax anymore and it’s amazing. That hurts like crazy.

Q. what type of laser?

I asked my tech about this during my last appointment. She said their salon uses the Candela Max Pro. She said it’s a really high end laser machine that has the strength to actually permanently remove your hair. She said not all other machines do, and of course they’ve gotten more sophisticated over the years. So if you got hair removal ten years ago, it’s better technology now.

She said this machine looks for a contrast in the skin, which is the root of the hair, and targets there. So if you have very light colored hair similar to your skin tone, it’ll have a hard time seeing a contrast and having anything to target. That’s why natural blondes sometimes aren’t great candidates for laser hair removal.

I hope that answers all your questions! Feel free to leave a comment if you have any other questions.