Hi, I am a seventeen year old guy who is pretty hairy. I have a skin level of 3 on the fitzpatrick skale (so dark for a white guy but still white) and have black hair. My leg hair is extremely dense to the point where people comment on it, so I regularly trim it with clippers to make it not so long. My arm hair is getting to the point where I am self conscious about it. My chest hair is still thin/light but within the next year I’m sure it will be dark and thick. I knew this was coming because my dad is like a yeti, but I am still uncomfortable with my amount of hair.
Would laser treatment be an option for me? I don’t really want all the hair gone, just making the hairs less numerous, lighter, and thinner. I was also wondering if I have to shave the area of treatment before getting it done, because I don’t want shiny smooth legs or anything like that. Just a regular amount of hair. Basically I want to know of laser hair removal would work for hair reduction, how often you have to go in, the costs and if anyone has had it done near the Seattle, WA area.
Thank you so much, Benji
Laser can work for reduction, yes. I imagine it’s tricky if you only want a slight reduction. There are others around here who have a reduction from laser, so maybe search for posts and look for results pictures. If you want a slight reduction, the number and frequency of treatments will probably be different than a normal treatment (which changes the cost for you. So I won’t even try to estimate that. Go to a consult and see if they’ll give you that info.
You will have to shave the body parts to be treated before getting laser, definitely.
Laser will definitely reduce the hair. Just keep in mind at 17 you aren’t done developing all the hair yet, so I wouldn’t spend too too much on laser since your body isn’t done with you yet. As long as you know you’ll need more treatments in the future then it’s fine. For your legs or arms though it’s probably good since they most likely won’t get that much more hair. You can definitely use laser to reduce the hair, you’ll just need probably around 3 treatments or so. One definitely won’t do too much. You just need to make sure you go to someone that knows your goal and is careful not to miss any spots so you don’t have more hair in some places than others.
Yeah, thats what I was thinking as far as my leg hair being mostly grown. I heard laser hair removal lightens, thins, and reduces which is precisely my goal. I don’t want it to look patchy or anything though.
Thanks for the responses. It would be great if anyone (a guy would be best) who has had arm or leg laser hair removal would like to share their opinion. Does it effectively lighten, thin, reduce, and make the hair less noticeable so people don’t comment on it. Dislike it when my friends dads says “Hey Benji looks like its time for a wax”
I’ve only done one session on my arms so hard to say. Actually 2 but just did my last one 2 weeks ago so can’t really comment much on that yet. However I did 4 sessions with IPL on my abdomen and yes the results are amazing and this was with IPL which isn’t really as effective as laser. I never had TONS of hair there or anything but enough that I really hated it. The IPL has completely eliminated all the dark coarse hair, and left me with just thinner finer hair. I haven’t done an IPL session in probably 6 months as well and it’s still like that. The thing I love the most about it is now I can just shave that area, and it stays smooth for weeks. I shaved it last probably 3 weeks ago maybe 4 and the hair is just starting to come back but its so fine you barely notice it. I’m super happy with the results there so I’m sure you’d have similar results on your legs or arms. I’d start it soon though while it’s winter, since your skin is lighter and if you shave the areas people wouldn’t notice as much as in the summer when going to the beach.
To be honest, I used to want to hide that I did laser, but now I don’t care at all. Everyone I talk to about it think’s it’s the coolest thing ever and asks me a million questions. Even people who I’d have thought would think it weird are all into it, asking me things like “you mean I could get rid of all my under arm hair??” and so on.
You can definitely start on your legs now. Legs have long hair cycles. You can have one treatment then wait 3-4 months and see how you like it. Then have another one if you feel you need it. I wouldn’t not start just due to your age. I would just get another treatment once your body develops more hair.
You need someone experienced who doesn’t miss spots in order to avoid patchiness.
Tehre are some recommendations on the forum in Seattle. Run a search.