I had my first treatment June 26, 2020 and I'll have my last one May 4, 2021, so as you can see the process is a long one since it's recommended to wait up to 6-8 weeks in between appointments BUT the wait is worth it and it's awesome seeing the progress.
People often either laser or wax. Laser is different from waxing and shaving as it gets beneath the skin, into the hair follicle and kills it. In other words, it beams highly concentrated light into the hair follicles. Pigment in the follicles absorb the light, which destroys the hair. I went to a place called LaserAway where they use a Cynosure Elite Laser.
I bought eight treatments for $1,046.15. The price was originally $1,494.50 but I received 30% off since I paid in full. I paid for the Playboy Bikini Line since I originally only wanted to laser my bikini line but during treatments 2-4 I ended up getting a full Brazilian at no extra cost. Don't tell anyone though, I don't think the lady was supposed to let me do that but she was nice. Thank you, lady.
I eventually changed my mind again because I started to miss my hair at the top and started going back to only doing my bikini line during treatments 5-8.
It's mandatory to be completely shaven beforehand. You are told to shave the day before but I shaved the day of most treatments. If the area you are trying to get lasered is not shaven they may ask you to reschedule.
It's recommended six weeks before your appointment to discontinue waxing, hair removal creams or chemicals, tweezing, as well as bleaching your hair. Two weeks before treatment you should avoid incidental or direct sun, tanning beds, spray-tans and self-tanners. If you are out and about, apply at least SPF 50 sunscreen and use barrier protection such as, hats or long clothing. Lastly, three days before treatment stop using any topical prescription products on areas being treated with the laser.
The customer service was great. The ladies in the front were nice and I hardly had to wait for my turn. I had never done laser before let alone a wax, so I had no idea what to expect.
First, she told me once she leaves the room to get completely undressed and to put on this robe as well as eye glasses to protect my eyes from the laser. Once she came back in, she told me to sit butterfly position so yes, my vagina was all out for her to see. Very strange experience but she made me feel comfortable.
The laser sprayed cold hair during the treatment which alleviated some of the pain which was nice. My bikini line and top area didn't hurt at all; however, the lips hurt the most, especially when she did the inside of them. Since they up the frequency each treatment by treatment 3-4, I almost said forget the lips because it hurt that bad but I pushed through. Barely. Overall, it feels like a tiny rubber band snapping on your privates.
The Brazilian includes your booty hole too so she had me flip over on my belly and had me put one knee to my chest for her to do her job. Next treatment though, she changed it up and had me roll onto my side, lift my knee to my chest and spread my cheeks out real quick, so she could get in there... Apologies for the TMI but I'm just trying to give you guys the whole process.
Moving on.
Afterwards, it's a bit awkward because this stranger has just seen the most intimate parts of you, maybe more than anyone else, and you're just sitting their naked in your robe looking at her while she tells you about the After Care. She also gave me hydrocortisone with aloe vera to put on my treated area, which felt very nice on my skin.
It's important to remember to moisturize the treated area with either Vaseline or Aquaphor at least three times daily to reduce any irritation. Next, stay out of the sun and avoid steam rooms, saunas, hot tubs, pools, and exercise/sweating for 24 hours. It's also recommended to avoid hot showers, harsh soaps, medicated washes, scrubs, peels, and topical prescription products, such as retinoids for at least three days.
Common side effects include, redness, swelling or discomfort, as well as itching and laser bumps. I fortunately didn't experience any side effects. If anything, it was a bit red and itchy after the first treatment but it went away within minutes. I also purposely wore a dress with no panties the first treatment just because I was unsure how my skin would react but after treatment one, the jeans and panties came back on.
After having done laser, I noticed the hair on my lips and bikini line grew back faster than the top part. It's important to note that it is normal for your hair to fall out after a week of getting laser. I would see little pubic hairs in my underwear, up until about treatment 4-5.
I noticed a major difference even after the first treatment. My hair would usually grow all the way back in a week, maaaybe two, but I was noticing even at week three it was no longer at its full growth anymore. Also, after treatment two I only had to shave twice within the six weeks.
I want to say by treatment six, about 65% of my hair was gone. I only had to shave the sporadic hairs on my bikini line twice within the six weeks.
All in all, I love my results. She's definitely not the same vagina, let me tell you. She has by far less hair, which was the goal. I almost grow no hair on my bikini line anymore which is amazing. I would say the hair on that area is 85-90% gone. For me, having less hair is much more convenient and one less thing to worry about in the shower.
Let it note, I am all for women and men who want to keep and grow out their pubic hair. I still have and grow hair on the top area and if I wait long enough I'll still get some hairs on my bikini line. I, personally, mainly did not like the hair on my bikini line which is what encouraged me to laser in the first place.
For those who have been contemplating laser hair removal on any part of your body I say got for it!
Cover Image via Glamour UK