As a housewife in her late 30s, balancing family and her home, it is difficult to get some personal time for self-care. For me, everything else is bearable but the hair on my skin makes me feel a bit uncomfortable and itchy. especially around the bikini line.
I used to shave my hair down there but it is time taking because you have to be careful about not cutting your skin. Started looking for alternatives, but I found waxing painful. After trying so many hair removal methods, I finally got the courage to get bikini line hair removal done.
Here is my story about how it went and what did I to make the process go smoothly and easily.
Why Did I Choose Laser Hair Removal for Bikini Line?
The Bikini line is a sensitive area and one must be careful while choosing hair removal methods for this area. I considered several hair removal methods before finally opting for laser. Let’s see why!
Time-saving and Relaxing
As someone who barely gets time for herself, laser hair removal was the savior for me as it was time-saving. When I used to remove bikini line hair at home, it was difficult as I was always more focused on the household chores or kids. Sometimes, I couldn’t remove hair for weeks as I was busy.
It was hectic but after scheduling my laser appointments, things got more manageable. I would drop my kids to school and go to the clinic for my treatment. It was like a me-time to relax and free my mind of all the worries.
Long-Lasting
Another benefit that laser hair removal has over other methods is that it is long-lasting. Shaving, waxing, or depilation works to keep the body hair-free for a few weeks only. In contrast, you can enjoy years of smooth skin after getting a laser done.
This was appealing to me as now I do not have to worry about my hair growth down there and the itchy sensation that comes with hair growth.
Safe
Laser hair removal is safe as the method is approved by the FDA to achieve permanent hair reduction. But the safety also depends upon yourself.
Before getting my sessions done, I searched for all the clinics near me and then went for the one that had more experienced professionals. They made sure that everything went smoothly. Before the sessions, I was told that I might have redness or inflammation.
But, it was all temporary, and my skin went back to normal within hours of treatment.
No Ingrown Hair
Ingrown hair was another big problem for me as they kept me feeling uncomfortable every time I shaved my hair. It was also a painful experience.
With a laser, the problem was solved! Laser removes the hair from their roots and damages the hair follicles. Since this retards hair growth, I no longer have to worry about the pain and discomfort caused by ingrown hair.
What are the Results of Bikini Line Laser Hair Removal?
Here comes the real question, does bikini line laser hair removal really last long? Since the hair follicles are damaged it takes time for them to heal and repair. Until then, there has been little to no hair growth for years. The results can be permanent if you go for maintenance sessions every few months.
From my personal experience, it's been more than 6 months since I got the laser hair removal done but have been hairless till now. It mostly depends upon your hair growth rate. The slower the growth, the more long-lasting the results are.
Here is a before and after image. You can get an idea of how effective bikini line laser hair removal is from these pictures/ photos.
How Much Does Bikini Line Hair Removal Cost?
Laser hair removal can be expensive as you need several sessions for all your hair to be targeted in their anagen phase. This is the growth phase and the treatment is more effective once the hair are targeted in their growth phase.
The price differences can vary from $250 to $350 per session depending upon the facilities you are getting at the clinic and how famous the clinic is. But for me, it was acceptable as it was still less than the cost of buying shaving creams, razors, and other shaving products every month.
Moreover, it was saving time for me which is the biggest wealth as a housewife. I would rather spend that time playing with my kids or watching movies.
What are its Side Effects?
When I went for my laser hair removal sessions, I searched for the side effects of laser. Here is what the internet says:
- Redness and Inflammation: These occur due to the heat that is used to damage the hair follicles
- Blisters: Blisters also occur due to heat but it is rather a rare side effect that mainly happens due to inexperienced workers or any accidents during the treatment
- Hyperpigmentation: DUe to post-treatment inflammation, the treated area might get darker which can last for around four months
- Infection: Infection mainly develops if the instruments used are not sterilized or you are not keeping your bikini line clean after the treatment
But to my surprise, I only had redness on my skin for around one day after the laser and it got resolved easily. The side effects of laser are minimal and occur only when there is the carelessness of the clinician or yourself is involved.
So, I would advise you to search properly and go for a reliable clinic to ensure that the sessions go safely and effectively.
Is Laser Hair Removal on Bikini Line Painful?
All the people who know about my laser hair removal ask whether it was painful or not. Since the bikini line is a sensitive area, the pain can be equal to that of waxing. I do not have high pain tolerance, therefore the sessions were a bit painful for me at the start.
Even though I got used to the pain with every next session, I talked to my clinician about it. Then he used to apply topical anesthetic cream on my skin before the session which made it all more comfortable and bearable for me.
Before and Aftercare
In my opinion, laser hair removal particularly on the bikini line significantly depends upon the before and aftercare of laser hair removal. Without that, the sessions will only be painful and uncomfortable and the chances of side effects will also increase.
During my consultation with the clinician, here is what I was told to do before the laser sessions and after the sessions.
Things to Do Before Laser
Before going for laser hair removal sessions, keep in mind the following things:
- Ensure that your skin is clean before going for laser and apply no products, even a moisturizer, on the bikini area as it can hinder the effectiveness of the laser
- Start preparing for your session a week before. You need to keep your body hydrated so drink plenty of water as it will keep the body relaxed and make the sessions less painful
- Do not exercise and go for the laser session immediately. Any activity that can increase your body temperature should be avoided before the laser sessions
- The bikini area must be shaved before the session as it lets the laser reach the hair follicles more easily. If you go to the clinic unshaved, they will reschedule your appointment
- Go to bed early and arrive at the clinic early as it will keep your mind relaxed. You will get familiar with the clinic environment till the session starts so you will be less anxious
Aftercare of Bikini Line Laser Hair Removal
After the laser sessions, I was told to do the following:
- Since there were chances of redness and inflammation on the skin, so I was told that applying cool compresses could help. Once my skin started getting red, cool compresses did help me and let the redness resolve quickly
- It is good to avoid tight clothes as the interaction of clothing fiber can interact with the skin and irritate it. So I went for loose trousers until my skin healed completely
- No hot showers or going to saunas for at least 48 hours after the laser, it can also irritate the skin
- No exercises or other activities that can cause sweating because it can block the pores of the skin and increase the chances of skin infections
To Sum Up
If you are a working woman or a busy housewife, your skincare or hair removal will always be compromised. Therefore, I recommend everyone to ditch the temporary hair removal methods they do at home and rather go for a more long-lasting option.
Laser hair removal can be very helpful in this regard as it is safe and long-lasting, and even your ingrown hair will be eliminated. However, keep in mind that such treatments are only safe and effective if you are going to a reliable place and following a proper aftercare routine.
