Beauty

I have gotten laser hair removal through Ideal Image. Started the treatment nearly 4 yrs ago but had to put on hold because I have been pregnant and breastfeeding 2 kids in that time period (can't do the treatments while pregnant, it's OK when you're breastfeeding but you can't use the numbing cream). I definetly see a decrease in the amount of hair, but it's not gone completly and there is just 1 session left in my "package" from Ideal Image. My sister bought a TRIA laser hair removal system that you do at home. It is a lot cheaper to buy that and be able to do multiple areas instead of going someplace where it will cost an arm and a leg to do each area. TRIA is sold on Amazon for about $500, I paid more than twice that amount for 1 area at Ideal Image.
Laser hair removal, whether it's from a salon or at home treatment, works best on light skin and dark hair. It won't be effective on blond or red hair and tanned/dark skin.

I've been performing laser treatments for 4 years. It all depends on the machine you get. If the machine has flexible settings and the tech has the knowledge to vary the jewels, it works great!! I have not shaved my legs for years now. The laser needs a contrast in color to see the hair. You can bbe tan, but the hair must be black. This is a great time of year to do laser.
If you go to a "center" they have protocols that can't be varied. It's better to go to a place where the tech is in charge.
It doesn't work on grey or reds, light brown is a maybe.

Roxanna gave great specific info, I had two laser treatments from two different clinics with very different results, one I would go back to. Roxanna, how does someone find out about settings and protocols? Is there a website or book for this info, what questions does one ask?

I had it done back in 2003 and loved it. BUT! It smarts! Take some ibuprofen first (Advil) and ask for some numbing ointment to apply ahead of time (like Lidocaine prescription).
~A.

I haven't had laser hair removal but I wanted to wish you luck with your research. It's my dream to get laser hair removal! All over! I have heard you should wait until you are finished having children because the hormones can make your hair come in darker again.

I was told it won't work on any hairs that have turned gray either!

I definitely recommend laser hair removal. As said in one of the other posts, it really depends on the technician/ professional doing the treatment. I have been to Ideal Image in the past and paid ALOT of money and didn't get good results. Every time I went, I had a different tech! I started going to Uptown Laser and Skin and have had great results. You always get the same tech!