Designing the best costumes is big business for Carnival bands. Although we celebrate body-type diversity, the competition is stiff for those looking to strut their flawless physiques in the skimpiest of costumes. As more women are daring to bare it all, that means your hair removal game better be on point.
Below is an article about de-fuzzing and why laser hair removal might just be the best option out there.
by Darcy Mayfair
Fuzz free. It’s a lofty goal to strive for even in this modern age. And while there may even be a renaissance for those who prefer to go au naturel, albeit with a modicum of landscaping, many of us, mostly women, love how free it feels to go mostly or totally hairless on our private parts, as well as other parts of our bodies.
I used to be a waxing devotee. “No pain, no gain,” is what I’d tell myself. And I meant it. I’d faithfully arrive at appointments to have my regular aesthetician—or even complete strangers—contort me into positions that I used to think was only reserved for my SO (and possibly my GYN). However, after many years of throwing all attempts at modesty out the window, I realized that waxing made me feel like Prometheus—getting my liver eaten every morning by an eagle only to have it grow back again at night. On top of that, I had to admit that, even as careful as I was, I still had some bouts with ingrown hairs. That alone left me feeling completely defeated. I needed a more permanent solution to this problem (even the faintest bit of hyperpigmentation from scarring bums me out), so I decided to try laser hair removal.
Two factors motivated me to take the plunge:
The first was a well-intentioned cousin who told me to do it sooner rather than later. We aren’t getting any younger, she reminded me, and the laser doesn’t work on grey hair. Hmmm. A certain episode of SATC came to mind right away.
But the second reason was not fear-based, nor did it force me to face my own mortality; instead, it felt like serendipity. Groupon ran a promotional deal on a place called Bared Monkey Laser Spa here in NYC and a little digging revealed they had great reviews from past clients. At a mere 10 or 15% of the regular price for the service, I felt compelled to pounce on the deal—a year of laser hair removal (Brazilian bikini and underarms) for less than $200!
I am now about four going on five treatments (spaced six weeks apart) into the process. Here are four reasons from my own experience why I think you should give this a try (if you’re a candidate):
It is probably not as painful as you imagine.
While I realize everyone’s threshold for pain is not necessarily the same, this was far more tolerable than waxing. Reviewers have described the discomfort as the pinch of a rubber band hitting the skin. I could agree with that assessment, but it only seemed to feel that way in certain areas on certain settings. Admittedly, there were times when I let my aesthetician know that it was approaching my threshold for pain management. A careful specialist will check in with your regularly to ask if the laser feels too hot.
Prices for laser hair removal are way more affordable than they once were.
As I explained earlier, I was able to catch a deal on Groupon. If you live in or near a major city, you likely can find a deal, too. It’s not quite the financial splurge that it used to be.
The results will amaze you.
I’m not completely hairless yet—they do advise that this is a process that will take time. However, all of those comments about hair growing back thinner and less dense than before has been true for me as well.
No more ingrown hairs!
This was almost true, except on one occasion. In prepping for the treatment (you must shave beforehand), I shaved against the direction of hair growth, basically irritating my follicles beforehand. Consequently, the heat from the laser aggravated my skin further. But in that case, I’d say the resulting bumps were a result of how I shaved, not the laser.
The Verdict
While this is the most effective (albeit not immediately permanent) form of hair removal I’ve ever experienced, unfortunately, not everyone can have the procedure done. Although it used to be that those with darker skin tones might have to forgo treatment (skin rich in melanin made it hard for the laser to distinguish between the skin and the hair, which could result in skin damage), as well as people with gray or lightly pigmented hair, the skincare industry has made major strides in producing lasers that can be used on a wider array of skin tones.
Overall, if you qualify for the procedure, I’d say go for it. The results last much longer than traditional de-fuzzing methods.