Laser hair removal has always been lingering in the back of my mind. I’ve had an ongoing curiosity about the beauty treatment; but for one reason or another, I never pressed go. That is, until Semper Laser reached out looking to collab, offering a complimentary laser hair removal package (8 full sessions) on a small area of my choice. So, I said—why not!?
For background, I semi-frequently get bikini waxes (which are painful AF to me BTW). But you know what’s worse? *drumroll* Waxing my armpits! Yep. Call me crazy, but I’d rather get a bikini wax vs. wax my pits. I did it once, said never again, and meant it.
So naturally, I chose my armpits as my area of choice and started the process. Before I get into the experience itself, let’s start with the basics of laser hair removal:
What Is Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal is a super-effective and permanent to semi-permanent way to remove unwanted hair from relatively any body part you want (from your nose to your toes). They use an intense beam of light to directly target the hair follicle and destroy the dark pigment in it. The heat is absorbed by the hair follicles, preventing further growth without damaging or affecting the skin’s surface. #magic
What are the Benefits of Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal is a non-invasive and precise procedure that helps reduce ingrown hairs and is less painful than waxing. It’s both quick and cost effective in the long-term (and as I said, semi-permanent).
Does It Work on Darker Skin?
A lot of peeps think that if they have dark hair and/or dark skin, laser hair removal doesn’t work. I’m here to tell you that’s anything but true! Because the lasers use pulsed light to target and break down the dark pigment in hair, it works very well. I honestly was shocked how well it’s been working on me so far.
However, I’d be remiss not to mention one important fact: pick a facility that uses a correct, professional, quality machine to avoid discolorations. Sources indicate that if you have darker skin, you should avoid Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatments. Semper Laser uses a high-quality, medical grade Candela GentleMax Pro—an FDA-approved system designed for speed, performance, and versatility. This laser technology is suitable for men and women of every skin type, skin tone and hair type. So, #blackgirlmagic approved.
So, How Much Does It Cost?
I’m here to keep it 100%. If you’re someone whose eyes bulge at hefty price tags upfront, let me prepare you now. Laser hair removal is NOT cheap. And if you find a place that seems like a steal, I’d give it a major side eye.
With Semper Laser, try comparing the total lifetime cost of waxing and shaving vs. lasering. You can save more than 5 hours a year and $1.3K! Long story short, this is a marathon—not a sprint. While waxing may be more financially digestible on the onset, lasering ultimately saves you money long-term. Remember: we are talking permanent to semi-permanent lasering vs. waxing and shaving forever. It’s an investment.
My Laser Hair Removal Experience
As I write this, I am currently half-way through my sessions and couldn’t be happier! Believe it or not, I noticed results after my second session—seriously! Not only did my hair grow back slower; it was a lot thinner and very sparse. My skin also feels smooth after my sessions. One thing to remember is that overall, it will take multiple treatment sessions to reach the desired results. However, the smaller the treatment area, the less time your laser hair removal session will be. I truly think this is one of the best things about it. My weekends are usually packed with to-dos, so I value my time. At Semper Laser, they have me in and out in less than 15 minutes. Needless to say, I’m both curious and excited to see if my pits fall in the semi-permanent or permanent category at the end of my journey. But I can confidently say I’m super impressed so far!
Footage from my March session!
All in all, permanent beauty procedures are an extremely personal choice and aren't for everyone. If you’re considering getting laser hair removal, be sure to go to a fully-qualified practitioner from a reputable company using FDA-approved equipment.
If you're curious, Semper Laser actually offers free consultation with a complimentary service on a small area of your
XO,
