Hi



I would be extremely grateful if anyone could offer me any help/advice on my situation regarding laser hair removal/reduction. It's a bit of a long post but please please bare with me.



I finished my course of full leg and underarm hair removal in August 2007. I had 6 treatments over the course of 9 months. It cost £1,074 for full legs and £390 for underarms.





I initially decided to go ahead with the treatment, not because of the hassle of the shaving but because every time I did shave it resulted in skin irritation, angry rashes, constant painful ingrown hairs - and the hair would be back the next day. The re-growth was prickly and painful so I tried to keep shaving to a minimum. I tried epilating, and waxing but this seemed to cause even more ingrown hairs - despite exfoliating moisturising etc regularly.



Results were steady but at the end of the treatment i was so pleased with the results. Hair growth was still present but finer, sparser and I hardly ever had to shave.



However, over the months I have found that I've had to shave more and more often and now the hair is starting to get thicker and 'prickly' again, and shaving is causing irritation on my inner and back of thighs - the razor bumps are returning. There is less irritation on my lower legs but the re-growth is quicker and the hair is getting a little thicker. It is not as fine as it once and I can feel the growth on my legs a couple of days later as opposed to a week or two after when it was really fine.



I don't know whether shaving has caused this, maybe I shouldn't of shaved and left the fine 'baby' hairs alone - or would this still of happened??



I have only just finished paying off the loan over a year down the line so money is a huge issue here, although I do want to rectify the problem if I can. It is stressful, embarrassing and after the initial treatment I really found that I had my confidence back.



At the end of the year I will have £3,000 of hard earned savings which was intended to go towards my future - renting/possibly buying with my partner.



I don't know whether to dip into this to have a few more sessions (£230 a time for legs) or whether to have another 6 treatments £1,074). I don't know how many treatments I will need. And, what if after spending a chunk of my savings the exact same outcome will occur?.



I don't earn a lot so I don't want to waste my money. However, if a few more treatments will work - then I wont mind so much about the extra cost.



It's really getting me down. I haven't told my partner - not because he won't be understanding, but because I find it a personal issue and don't really want him to know.



Any advice or comments would be very much appreciated.



Thank you so much.

Hi Lottie

My dear I can honestly say don't spend any more of your hard earned money on this treatment. I can see from the message boards that many people have experienced good results from laser hair removal but unfortunately I am not one of them and I am still doubtful as to how 'permanent' the results will be for them

I have had two seperate packages of 6 laser treatments a couple of years apart with SK:n - any improvements I saw quickly disappeared. I have also tried shaving, waxing, plucking, hair removal creams, electrolysis, IPL - none of which have offered me a permanent solution. I am now back on the electrolysis and hoping that my first failed treatment was just down to a poor practitioner, but the only reason I am being so persistent is because the hair is on my face.

I personally feel a good razor and shave gel is the best for legs but I know this is just personal choice. I understand how distressing it is for you however I personally do not think there is a permanent hair removal treatment out there, otherwise it would be as common and popular as botox!

As far as confidence goes - I think you can (and must) work on that regardless of the situation with your body hair. And don't underestimate the confidence boost you get from having a supportive partner who makes it clear he loves you body hair and all! I was with my boyfriend over 3 years before telling him about my 'issue' (whilst also slightly drunk) and I wish I had done it long ago.

Obviously this is just my experience and I must add that I have PCOS so the hormonal problems would not have helped my treatments.

I do wish you all the best though - and if you do find that magical treatment please let me know!