‘Delve into the rabbit hole and hold out your playing cards, let your inhibitions run free-freedom is just,twisted roses upon barbed wire, hold me tight a storm is coming, bitter tainted lips pricked with blood, sweet nectar, sticky to the touch,barbed wired fences bite into my skin, wrap me in a blanket of deceit, take away my soul’
My personal experience with body hair
The household that I grew up in was very strict, my foster mother did not allow me to shave until I was 14 or 15 and I was ridiculed constantly for having ‘body hair’. In our day and age it should not be a stigma to have natural hair but sadly as a state we demand that women must rip out their hair, be groomed to perfection and carry out other duties that men may require of us. It sickens me what reasons bullies pick to torment you and the natural growth of body hair should not be one of them. I was often self-conscious of showing my skin as I had very thick dark hair and naturally my body hair would replicate the same pattern. I used to steal my foster mothers razors to try and shave but she would always confiscate them when she found out and determined that I could not shave until I was more ‘mature’ despite leaving behind my childhood at a very young age. Eventually when I was allowed to shave I was elated and every strip of hair was erased from my body. Because I was stigmatized from such a young age it became an obsessive mission to remain as hairless as possible and would feel paranoid if I had stubble.
Naturally when Pulse Clinic contacted me for Laser Treatment I jumped at the chance and although it was only armpit hair I was willing to be their guinea pig for peace of mind. Despite being eager to try laser hair removal I had to read some statistics and valuable information that would inform me as to how the procedure would impact health and my ‘hair cycle’.
Below are some FAQ’s that will give you more information should you be considering laser hair treatment and are all questions that I took into consideration.
Is it suitable for dark skin?
Yes all skin types are suitable for laser hair treatment although the procedure is more effective on dark hair. Age also comes into consideration as grey hair has not got any melanin and therefore the treatment is ineffective.
Why is melanin connected to your hair colour?
Melanin is attracted to the emission of light from the laser because it is a ‘dark pigment’ located in the hair follicle which determines how effective the treatment may be.
How long will the full treatment take?
Depending on the amount of melanin in your hair follicles some clients only need between one and two treatments although the practice recommends a full course of treatments which can be between six months and a year.
What should you wear?
It depends on your treatment but a general consensus will agree that loose comfortable clothing with access to the treated area will be appropriate. For armpit hair removal ensure that you do not use deodorant beforehand as the laser would not be able to intercept the treatment. If you do use deodorant a wipe will be handed to you and you will need to scrub your armpits.
My Pulse Clinic Experience
As I walked into the clinic I was filled with with equal measures of joy and trepidation, pleased at last that my daily shaving chore would be minimized. After filling in forms to inform them about allergies and signing various disclaimers a registered practitioner took me into a small room to begin our consultation. Like most consultations it was brief but informative taking details down for my patch test. In order to have my patch test I was asked to remove my top and wipe my armpit before having the patch test done. Because it was only a tester only one armpit was lasered. Before I felt the sharp prick of the lazer images ran through my mind as I gritted myself for the agonisingly slow treatment that would follow but to my relief the treatment took less than five minutes. The pain was sharp but fleeting like the prick of a needle entering your skin. All in all the pain diminished quite rapidly after the treatment. After my patch test was done we scheduled the full treatment for the following Friday.
At my next appointment I felt more relaxed and at ease reading a magazine while I waited in reception. Once again I was made to feel reassured by the friendly staff there to cater to my needs and answered any questions that I had about the treatment. This time I was prepared and had not worn deodorant and a short sleeved dress to reduce treatment time. The practitioner explained that I was entitled to one free treatment but most patients had follow up treatments ranging at £84 for a single treatment and £225 for a six session bundle. This is because an average hair cycle will regenerate between 6-8 weeks later , after a whole month of hairless skin. Furthermore she explained that the regeneration of the hair cycle is dependent on the individuals hair follicles. Some patients can see an improvement from the first treatment whilst others have to have between three to eight sessions in order to reduce follicle thickness.
With that in mind my treatment was over and I looked forward to my hairless days. Before leaving the nurse said that I had to avoid the following substances:
1. Avoid sun exposure for a couple of weeks after laser hair removal.During this time, use a high SPF. Exposure to sun can cause skin discoloration and other adverse effects.
2.Do not use deodorant for at least 12 hours
3.Do not wax or pluck the area in between sessions
4.Try not to perspire much for 48 hours afterwards. This means no gym, saunas, hot baths or showers
Armpit ready OOTD
Post Treatment
For the first month and a half my armpits remained completely hairless and it is only now that my hair is beginning to grow back. Overall I am pleased with the treatment that I received in exchange for this post and would wholly recommend it for anyone that suffers with excessive body hair like I did. It gave me the self confidence to wear more daring clothing and was a welcome break from my routine. If you have any queries please visit their website -insert link or pop in for a free consultation.
‘Get body confident now and let your happiness shine through with Pulse Clinic today’
This was a really interesting read. Ive been offered similar treatments in return for a post but have never taken them up, maybe I should x
It was good to read this and see that it wasn’t a terribly long or painful experience. I’ve been looking into either laser hair removal or electrolysis for some time now, so I’m always excited to read reviews of either treatment option.
I’ve always been curious about laser hair removal. I’ve been waxing for years and thought off and on about a more permeant solution. Such a great read. I didn’t realize it would take multiple treatments and that you should avoid the sun for a few weeks after. Maybe now I’ll have the confidence to seek out a clinic in my area!
Unfortunately us Mediterraneans tend to be blessed (not) with plenty of hair everywhere which is a nuisance that’s for sure. Wow not having to worry about hair for a month and a half is great. I wonder if further treatment would help make it stay away for longer.