This will be too much information for some of you but perhaps informative for others
This is about laser hair removal. If you don't want to read about laser hair removal, then stop this instant.
Before my wedding, I wanted to get laser hair removal on my underarms (I told you to stop if you didn't want to hear it) so that I wouldn't have to worry about stubble with my sleeveless dress. When I called around, though, I found that laser hair removal was prohibitively expensive.
However, a couple weeks ago, the San Diego Groupon offered six laser hair removal treatments for $99, which is a huge discount. I decided to give it a go.
Saturday was my consultation, and my first treatment will be April 6. Here's what I learned at the consultation:
(Actually, I knew some of this before, but I thought I'd give a full overview.)
To my surprise, I'm supposed to shave carefully the day before the appointment. Apparently the laser directs itself towards dark patches, and if there is dark hair above the skin, the laser will aim for that hair rather than the follicles. If there is no hair, the laser should destroy the follicles, which prevents the hair from growing back.
Over the course of a few weeks after the treatment, the dead follicles will work their way out of your skin. This usually isn't noticeable, and you shouldn't do anything to help the process along.
The procedure works optimally on dark hair over pale skin. It won't work on blond or red hair or on people with dark complexions.
Most people who get their underarms done (at this location) see a 70-90% reduction in hair after six treatments. Supposedly, the remaining hair will be lighter and less coarse than before the treatment.
The pain shouldn't be too bad. I can take ibuprofen before the visit to lessen the pain, and if I want to, I can buy a tube of numbing cream ($30) that will last for six visits. I've decided to go without the cream the first time and decide based on that experience whether to use it for future visits.
Scarring is rare, especially on fair skin like mine. It's possible (though again rare) that I might get a blister or two after the treatment; I can treat these with Neosporin or [some chemical I hadn't heard of]. Most people have no such adverse effects, though.
All their work is done by registered nurses. I'm not sure if this is the law, but it's certainly comforting.
I was a little disappointed to learn that they only have one laser. I read a magazine article a few years ago that recommended finding a place with multiple lasers with different wavelengths. Different wavelengths apparently work better on different skin types. I guess I'll just have to take my chances with what they've got.
I'll report on the experience after my first treatment.
Before my wedding, I wanted to get laser hair removal on my underarms (I told you to stop if you didn't want to hear it) so that I wouldn't have to worry about stubble with my sleeveless dress. When I called around, though, I found that laser hair removal was prohibitively expensive.
However, a couple weeks ago, the San Diego Groupon offered six laser hair removal treatments for $99, which is a huge discount. I decided to give it a go.
Saturday was my consultation, and my first treatment will be April 6. Here's what I learned at the consultation:
(Actually, I knew some of this before, but I thought I'd give a full overview.)
To my surprise, I'm supposed to shave carefully the day before the appointment. Apparently the laser directs itself towards dark patches, and if there is dark hair above the skin, the laser will aim for that hair rather than the follicles. If there is no hair, the laser should destroy the follicles, which prevents the hair from growing back.
Over the course of a few weeks after the treatment, the dead follicles will work their way out of your skin. This usually isn't noticeable, and you shouldn't do anything to help the process along.
The procedure works optimally on dark hair over pale skin. It won't work on blond or red hair or on people with dark complexions.
Most people who get their underarms done (at this location) see a 70-90% reduction in hair after six treatments. Supposedly, the remaining hair will be lighter and less coarse than before the treatment.
The pain shouldn't be too bad. I can take ibuprofen before the visit to lessen the pain, and if I want to, I can buy a tube of numbing cream ($30) that will last for six visits. I've decided to go without the cream the first time and decide based on that experience whether to use it for future visits.
Scarring is rare, especially on fair skin like mine. It's possible (though again rare) that I might get a blister or two after the treatment; I can treat these with Neosporin or [some chemical I hadn't heard of]. Most people have no such adverse effects, though.
All their work is done by registered nurses. I'm not sure if this is the law, but it's certainly comforting.
I was a little disappointed to learn that they only have one laser. I read a magazine article a few years ago that recommended finding a place with multiple lasers with different wavelengths. Different wavelengths apparently work better on different skin types. I guess I'll just have to take my chances with what they've got.
I'll report on the experience after my first treatment.