Has anyone ever gotten laser hair removal? I've been thinking about getting it for my bikini area because I spend so much time shaving/using hair removal cream and I still get painful, itchy bumps. It's time-consuming and it hurts and I'm really starting to hate it. I tried at-home waxing too, but it was disastrous. Laser hair removal would solve my problems once and for all, but it's so expensive! However, there's a groupon deal out right now for a place in my city at a great discount. Of course, I would do my research and make sure the place is legit first - I certainly wouldn't want anyone not properly trained and/or certified doing it. Anyway, my questions:

-Has anyone had it done? Any advice? Would you recommend it?
-It's a pretty long process. 6 treatments, spread 3 or 4 weeks apart. Was that inconvenient?
-I've read that you're not supposed to wax or depilate or anything between treatments, although you can shave. I really try to avoid shaving that area though, because it wreaks havoc. Can you use hair removal cream? If not, was that a problem for anyone?

If anyone has experience with this, I'd really like to hear it!

I got laser hair removal and I am really happy I did! I didn't finish all the treatments at the facility because it was out of town for us (my mother, brother and I did it together). So when we reached the point where we didn't have that much left, we just got an at home system.

-Personally I am so glad that I did it! The hair is not 100% gone in some areas, I have a couple random ones here and there, but they are so light and fine that I hardly notice them.
-Because it is so often it is a bit inconvenient but it is a commitment and you just have to plan accordingly.
-The reason they do not want you to do anything like waxing is because it pulls the hair out from the root and the root is what the laser targets. No root = nothing for the laser to zap = wasted session.

Make sure that you are a candidate first. Light skin and dark hair is ideal because the laser targets the dark pigment of the hair so blond or red does not work. Also, if you have very dark skin it might cause burns. But that is all for you to discus with your doctor.

Let me know if you have any more questions! I'm glad to be able to help someone else out because I remember how many questions I had before I got it done.

I'm currently in the process of getting my upper lip done - I weighed the price of getting laser done with the price of electrolysis, and laser came out on top by a landslide.

As Spiorad said - you MUST be an ideal candidate before getting it done. The technician should give you an assessment and see whether it's appropriate for you - you have to have light skin and dark hair. You shouldn't tan during the process of getting laser treatments, and you shouldn't be on a drug that causes photosensitivity (like accutane, or tetracycline).

Also, some people (not many, but some) react badly to the laser, so I would recommend a test patch before doing the whole area.

As for the laser itself, I was a little worried about how much it would hurt - but it's really ok (although the one I go to is a slightly less "powerful" one) - just a little warmth and it feels like someone has lightly snapped a rubber band on your skin.

I'm currently contemplating doing my bikini area, since I also hate shaving the area, and I've been quite happy with the results of my upper lip (4 sessions in, and I can see a reduction in the growth).

I just wanted to add that I got my underarms, bikini line, legs, and upper lip done.

I am not trying to scare you but I want you to be prepared. Getting your bikini line done is MUCH different from getting your face done.

The bikini line is much more sensitive and the hair is much thicker and darker. I was personally given a topical numbing cream for my bikini line. I have high pain tolerance and it was not that bad for the most part. There were some spots that did hurt but it is a sharp zap, like Pharmadancer said, it is like a rubber band snapping against your skin.

Thanks for replying, both of you! I'm pretty sure I'm going to get it done. I know I am a good candidate (pale with dark hair) and I looked into the facility and they sound like a reputable place with well-trained and supervised technicians. I know it will be a bit of a time commitment but it's a fantastic deal (I don't think I'll ever find a better price than this) and the time and money this will save me over the years is well worth it.

If anyone else has any advice or recommendations, lay it on me!