As someone with pitch-black, thick body hair that seems to regrow within hours of shaving, I’ve always been tempted to bite the bullet and try laser hair removal. The idea of a semipermanent, lower-maintenance solution sounds life-changing, especially compared to the tedious chore of regularly grooming every inch of my body in the shower. Plus, this method is supposedly less painful than ripping hot wax off your underarms or crotch.
What you choose to do—or not do—with your body hair is completely up to you. But since you’re here, I’m assuming you’re intrigued by this treatment too. Basically, laser hair removal works by zapping the melanin (pigment) in your hair follicles, burning (and damaging) the strands down to the root and preventing regrowth. It won’t give you baby-smooth skin for life (electrolysis is the only FDA-approved permanent option), but many people won’t see fuzz for months or years, and any strays that do crop up tend to be thinner and lighter in color.
That said, laser hair removal isn’t perfect: Some people find it really painful, especially in sensitive spots like the bikini line, and you’ll need multiple treatments (typically two to six, depending on the area) to see real results. In other words, you have to be willing to invest time and money and get regular touch-ups—which can add up when the treatment averages around $300 to $400 per session.
There are also serious side effects to consider: If you go to an untrained technician (at a “laser center,” say, instead of a clinic or medical spa run by a board-certified doctor), you run the risk of getting burns or scars. Also, depending on your skin tone and hair color, you might end up with hyperpigmentation (dark spots) or hypopigmentation (light spots). That’s because lasers work best for folks with dark hair and light skin, per the American Academy of Dermatology—that stark contrast is what makes it easier to target unwanted strands.
Weighing these pros and cons can be overwhelming. So if you’re on the fence about laser hair removal, it might help to read these eight honest reviews—from people who shared whether or not their experience was worth the time, money, and (intense, in some cases) discomfort.
“The pain was excruciating—even worse than childbirth for me. But it was 100% worth it.”
Name
Age: 45
Areas treated: Underarm, legs, and bikini line
Number of sessions: 8
Total price: $1,500
Was it worth it? Yes.
“I have pale skin and very dark, thick hair, so I used to shave EVERY DAY. Once I had children, I knew that I wanted the freedom to go to the pool or beach at a moment’s notice without needing to pick up the razor or worry about how my legs looked. So that influenced my decision—and it’s one of the best ones I’ve ever made.
Now, I have zero fuzz on my bikini or legs. (It probably took around six sessions for me to truly feel confident enough to go outside bare-legged.) My armpits, however, do get strays more often, which I wax off once every few months. I love my results, but I’ll admit, I didn’t expect it to hurt so badly! The pain around my bikini line was even worse than childbirth for me.”
“It was more effective on certain parts of my body than others.”
Name
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
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
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
