Laser on Legs

Hair Removal Methods Laser hair removal
#1

Hi,

I’ve had some very good responses here so I just want further and final (?) clarification after reading the FAQ.

The two areas of my body I know will be good for laser are underarms and bikini. I have light skin and dark, coarse hair there. My legs are not as coarse but the bottom half would do.

I don’t mind getting getting my underarms and legs done but bikini I will do myself using other methods. If I started next month, when would I go in next and what about after that?

Also if I got laser done once, would that be a waste of money?

I have boticed from some hair removal methods that the skin looks ‘holey’ from where each hair has been taken out, does this happen with laser? With any hair remival method, how do we stop that?

Thanks for reading this everyone.

#2

Hey there,

If you started next month, you’d go in every 6 to 8 weeks after that for at least 6-8 treatments.

You will get no results after 1 session. Even after 2 probably nothing.

Finally, no you don’t see any holes or anything like that from where the hair was, it will look like you waxed the area, the hair will just be all gone.

#3

Thank you for your reply.

Can anyone answer this question: I have tried epilating before and when I was done, my legs looked ‘holey’ and I have seen that on others too, why does that happen and how can the smooth look be achieved?

Erm, okay so that means ever 1.5 - 2 months, which doesn’t seem too bad. What happens? They do the laser, the hair grows back, then you start to see it fall out? And this keeps happening until eventually there is very little left to fall out?

#4

No idea about the epilator but after laser it doesn’t look holey.

What will happen is you’ll go for your treatment and shave close before. They do the laser you go home. For the first 10 days or so, the hair looks like its growing normally, and if you pull on them they usually won’t budge. Around day 10 the hair starts to just fall out, and does so for a week or so. So once you’re around day 20-25 you should pretty smooth. You’ll stay like that for a few weeks and then the hair grows back which is new hair in the next growth cycle. Once the hair has all grown back, you go for your next session.

After 2 sessions though there’s still too much hair growing back to really notice much, which is why I say doing just 1 session won’t give you any results.

#5

Thank you for your reply that helpes alot. I wanted to ask about shaving beforehand. My leg has a mixture of hairs - thin, thick, thick and coarse, so is it better for me to go unshaved so they can examine what’s good enough or is that done in the consultation? Because on the lower half, they start thin and get thicker but on the sides some are thin and then they get thicker as you go along so it is very uneven, so I’m wondering do they just laser all of the area.

#6

I think you are overcomplicating this.

Go for a consultation, it’s free and these questions will be answered. Don’t shave beforehand so they can assess the hair. They will choose appropriate settings for the different growth areas.

If you have a good client/technician relationship, there will be discussion every time you about settings and which areas there is no point treating as the hair is too fine.

Underarms is about 8 weeks for the 2nd session and goes up to about 10 weeks for the last ones.

Legs are much longer; about 12 weeks for the first few and stretching upto 16 weeks.

I always leave a small un-shaved patch when I go in for treatments so my aesthetician can see how it’s going.

From experience with both Laser and electrolysis, going and having a test patch and maybe a first treatment will give you a lot more insight into the process.

I would advise bikini area too. It may work for a while waxing or whatever but I don’t know a single (south asian or middle eastern) lady who has waxed regularly who didn’t eventually get horribly messed up skin in that region; scars and ingrowns. I just don’t know why you’d want to go down that route if you will be doing laser on underarms and legs anyway.

#7

I am not too clued up about laser like I am now with electrolysis which is why I ask. Plus I am recommending this to more people nowadsys to save the trouble, as you have shown your results, so if I know what goes on I can also tell them, if they don’t come to this forum.

The reason why I wouldn’t want to get bikini done is I just don’t feel comfortable exposing myself so much. I know you will say it isn’t that bad etc. but I have always been extremely shy since I remember and I feel uncomfortable too, and not sure how I would overcome this step to the best. I’m gonna have to see, I do have awhile till I start this anyway but I ask more questions to braven up myself more for these treatments, which I need to do anyway.

Is it right to take a paracetomol or two before the treatment coz I am not so good with pain.

#8

  • If you have large pores, they will stay, though they may be reduced with time when there is no hair in them. But it has nothing to do with laser. It’s the size of your pores.

  • You will need at least 3-4 treatments for definite noticeable results. You will get results after 1 or 2 treatments, but due to hair cycles phasing in and out, you won’t notice it as well, just sometimes. I only had 3 treatments on lower legs and don’t feel I need anymore. I still shave, but much much less often and there is no shadow. So I’m fine with it.

  • Legs have longest hair cycles. You’ll only need treatments once every 3 months or so. For underarms, you may need them every 8-10 weeks. But it’s also ok to wait 12 on both. I wouldn’t wait longer than 12 weeks for the first 2-3 treatments.

  • Clinics and techs have seen everything like doctors have. You don’t have to worry about exposure. You can also wear a thong and just treat around it if that’s all you want removed.

  • You can take a painkiller like Ibuprofen. Also icing before and after helps.

  • Have you found a good clinic you trust with an appropriate laser for your skin type already?

#9

Hey LAGirl (sorry not trying to hijack this thread but thought of this this morning), with legs having a long 3 month hair cycle, I’m just curious what they look like in between? Reason I ask is because I’m male obviously and have fairly hairy legs. Treating legs is the last area I’d do though but still would like to at least for a bit of a reduction. Last summer I shaved my legs once and swore never again for my whole life, since there were so many ingrown hairs and it was so picky growing back I nearly died. I know that’s not as much of a concern with laser as the hairs will fall out, but does it still shed around 10 days after or so? Then once its all fallen out, do you mean it stays smooth and hairless for those 3 months before growing back? I’m just more concerned with what it looks like growing back. For a woman it’s fine since you just continue to shave, but I definitely don’t want to have to shave my legs all the time, so just wondering what the between looks like!

#10

Thank you LAgirl for your reply, that was very helpful. I’ll be visiting the clinic stoppit&tidyup has been to as it’s near me and she’s got good results. But I won’t be starting until at least a few more weeks when I have enough money for it.

#11

If you read through the faqs and diaries, you will acquire a ton of info about the Laser process.

It’s a lot easier to get your head around than electrolysis treatments, imo.

LAgirl is really helpful and keeps having to repeat the same advice through many threads so my advice would be to search for treatment diaries and read as many as possible.

#12

Yea I just read LAgirls’ and it really cleared things up for me. She mentioned pepperspots etc., is this common and how long does it last for? Thank you all for your help and baring with me, I’m gonna read your diary again stoppit&tidyup so I can get a full overview as over the past day it all seems clearer than the day before.

#13

Make sure to read the FAQs as well!

  • edokid: Yes, the hair sheds just the same on the legs, though pepperspots are common on areas with less coarse hair, and you will have longer hairfree periods or basically will have to wait longer for there to be enough hair for another treamtent whem treating legs.

  • ihavehair: Don’t worry about pepperspots. They’re common on legs where hair is less coarse, but they just take a few weeks longer to shed or just get burned off at the next treatment.

#14

Thanks! :slight_smile: I’m looking forward to this now. Lol.