Laser Hair Treatments?!
I've always wonder what it would feel like waking up in the morning and choosing and outfit without having that little voice asking in your head " but does it require shaving?" Well not anymore. Thanks to some advice I have been having laser treatments done on 4 zones, and let me tell you...life changing! I had always thought it annoying and tedious having to prepare in advance my #ootd. Whether going out to the beach, the pool or any social gathering you would feel the need to show off your arms and legs, but mostly for those sizzling summer days. Living in Southern California we get TONS of those.
I've also wanted to go the laser route because, besides convenience, I have always suffered from razor burn and ingrown hairs. Having to shave was the last thing I would do if I didn't need to, most of the time opting for a long dress, long flow-y skirt or just a good pair of jeans. I had always been a shaver, only waxing and treading my upper lip and chin. I was SO glad when my cousins shared this alternative with me and I got to see actual results and hear real opinions. So, with that said, here are my 2 cents on this. Keep in mind everyone’s experience will vary, and this post will be based off my own treatments. Let’s get to it.
I am having laser treatments done on 3 parts of my body; lower legs, underarms and face. Most sought out question: Does it hurt? Personally...not really. Yes, there is some sort of pain but I would put it more like a discomfort. I can't remotely consider to be immune to pain but I would consider having a higher tolerance pain level. Each time you come in for your sessions they bump up the number on the laser, currently I'm at a 30 but I feel nothing at this point besides a good tingle and a warm light.
Second question: What does it feel like? It feels like a snapping rubber band with some heat to it. There was a lot of involuntary twitching on my part but it was do-able. My laser tech did not advise me on any numbing cream but if you have low to no tolerance I am sure you can ask or buy some over the counter cream at your local pharmacy.
Lower Legs
I've had 5 treatments done on the lower half of my legs, knee to foot. My first treatment was back in March and I've had a session once a month and I would say after my second session I was already starting to see results! It has really given be a sort of freedom from the beginning, like I've said before I would shave and have my hair start sprouting again later that day. Felt like they grew with the sun, I hatted that prickly feeling, my legs had visible pores and looked red and bumpy from the irritated follicles. I went from shaving every day or every other day to shaving once a week... a WEEK! This has been crazy and liberating for me. I can wear what I when I want and not think twice if it requires shaving. I am continuing my treatments as my specialist suggested that I can see no hair growth after 6-8 sessions. She also suggested that I let my hair grow out as much as I can let it before my session, only shave if necessary. Laser treatments work best if you have thick and dark hair for the laser to kill the hair follicle form the root.
That was like music to my ears! That is exactly the type of hair I have, so I take her advice and I only shave if I have an important engagement so when I come in and see her she can concentrate on the patchier sections of my legs. I have no more razor burn OR ingrown hairs, the pores on my legs have minimized and I feel more comfortable wearing anything I want. I live in Southern California so during the summer, and most of the year, this is going to be like a God send!
Underarms
My pits. What can I say, like my legs I would suffer from razor burn. Unlike them though this hair would take more than a day to grow but still, having to shave constantly was also causing them to get darker. When I went in for my first treatment, not gonna lie, I went in there with full harry pits lol and compared to my legs my underarm pain was considerably higher, and more than pain it stung like hell! Almost to the point to where I was considering telling my tech to stop. But I just kept thinking about those smooth shinny pits and stuck with it. SO glad I did! Now my underarms are smooth and smell less? Idk if the laser also zapped my odor glands or something but I come to find that I've been using less deodorant.
I cannot emphasize enough on how good I have it now! I used to shave once a week (if I needed to) to shaving maybe even once a month...how crazy is that! No more worrying about shaving, I am amazed by the results and I am so so glad I made this investment.
Face
As for my face, this is only half my face, from my side burns to the hairs on my chinny chin chin. Most importantly the all mighty mustache....not a bit comparable to "peach fuss" is no more! I would probably wax or tread once every week and a half minimum, it would mostly grow a bit thicker around the top edges on my lip like Cantiflas. I started noticing a minor dark spot from the wax and I started to feel insecure about it. I would also get a few thick sprouts on my chin that would bug the HECK out of me cause I could stroke them...lol yeah I would pluck and wax them every week.
Now my stache is almost not existent and my chin is nice and smooooth! Less break-outs and an even surface when applying my foundation. Who doesn't love softer skin?
All in all I've been really happy with my treatments and ecstatic about the results! I love showing off my smooth less and underarms, my face has been more of a personal self indulgent. It wasn't stopping me in wearing what I wanted but it was hitting me in my self confidence. Now I see huge improvements and a greater sense of own-love. I can own anything I wear and feel confident about it knowing that its for me.
This type of treatment doesn't come cheap but thankfully since my family lives is Tijuana, I can stay and come whenever I wish. Vellisimo Tijuana has been my go-to spa to affordable care and a true self investment. I love this place! I got my treatments off a special they had back in March, for $40 USD I get my 4 zones treated (both underarms count as 1 zone.) They honor that price until your treatments are done OR if you fancy doing other zones. For me I've had a total of 6 sessions done and since I am seeing super minimal hair growth I will be moving on up in my body next session- my thighs and arms!
IF you go to their FB page right now they are offering a similar package to the one I got, 3 zones for 550 pesos = $31 getting and extra zone added for 200 = $11. Crossing into TJ is not as scary or intimidating as most think, so if you can cross and its not a long drive away (mine is a bit less than 2hrs) then COME! You will not regret it. As for me I’ll just keep going until I only have eyebrows and the hair on my head left lol!
