Age: 30
Areas treated: Full body (underarms, legs, arms, back, bikini line, face, stomach)
Number of sessions: 5
Total price: $1,000
Was it worth it? Yes.
“I started seeing results on my legs after three or four sessions, and I’ve noticed the hair now comes back in small, sparse patches there. My armpits and bikini line seem to be the most stubborn spots, though, which is frustrating.
The experience was actually quite uncomfortable, and I definitely felt the heat on my skin—like a sharp pinch. When you’re Black, you also have to be particularly careful with lasers because of the heat that targets the melanin, which can possibly burn your skin. That’s why, before I booked an appointment, I asked the practitioner (and checked the clinic’s social media pages) to see if they had experience working with people with darker skin tones.
Overall, I would say this solution has been worth it for me, considering the significant difference it’s made. One thing I didn’t realize, however, was that I had to shave before each appointment—I assumed I wouldn’t have to use a razor anymore, so I feel like that kind of defeated the purpose.”
“Not worth the time, money, or pain, given that it made my hair regrowth so much worse.”
Name: Nessa J.
Age: 20
Areas treated: Upper lip and chin
Number of sessions: 8
Price: $850
Was it worth it? No.
“I have Middle Eastern heritage, so I’ve always had dark and plentiful body hair. However, I was insecure about my facial hair, specifically, so I wanted to zap that part.
The treatment worked on my upper lip after four or five sessions, but my chin (which only had a few strands at the time) had an adverse reaction to the laser that caused dozens of follicles to suddenly grow more hair! This side effect isn’t common, but not many practitioners warn you about it. (It’s called paradoxical hypertrichosis, and it’s more likely to occur when lasering your face.) So I was left with a lot more hair than I started with, and I had to start doing electrolysis, which is a lot more painful and costly: I’ve now done 36 sessions in almost two years, and it’s $140 each time.”
“The upfront cost was significant, but it really paid for itself in the end.”
Name: Kevin S.
Age: 32
Areas treated: Back and chest
Number of sessions: 6
Total price: $2,000
Was it worth it? Yes.
“I was intrigued by the promise of a longer-lasting solution than shaving, and the results have been transformative. My hair regrew much slower, saving me countless hours and hundreds of dollars in waxing appointments and razors. (Before the treatments, I spent about $100 monthly on professional waxing.)
One aspect that surprised me was the pain: While not unbearable, the sensation was more intense than I anticipated, especially in sensitive areas. It felt like a rubber band snapping against my skin repeatedly. However, the discomfort was brief and decreased after each appointment. It’s also important to note that everyone’s experience will vary. I have some friends with fantastic results similar to mine and others who saw less dramatic changes.”
“It’s not purely about aesthetics. I truly believe this was a medical need.”
Name: Katie C.