“Wait 2 years...then tell me how great it is. not worth it.”

I am a female with very fair skin and dark hair.  I signed up for a full face package (lip, chin, cheeks, etc.) of 6-8 treatments over a year using the Alexandrite Laser.

I thought I was happy with my results for the first year or so...then the hair started growing back thicker, darker and faster.  I expected some re-growth, having fully understood that "permanent" doesn't mean "forever" in the laser hair removal business.  I'm not disgruntled, but I won't recommend it because I don't believe it's a good long-term value. 

It has been two years since my last treatment and I'm pretty sure that  I am worse off now than I was before having the treatment because I have developed an embarassing facial hair problem that is more unmanageable than it was two years ago.  I actually have to shave every day, like a man because there is so much re-growth.  I don't know if it's the result of poor techniqe or the wrong laser, but for $1600 it's not something you just try out to see if it works.  At least not on my budget.

If I may take a moment to get up on my soapbox...I think there are a few fundamental problems with laser hair removal that merit deeper discussion:

1. This technology is really still too new to have adequately studied the long-term affects in clinical trials.
2. It is clearly not well regulated, seeing as how the MD doesn't even have to be present for a "laser clinic" to be in operation.
3. Consumers should be as wary of the laser clinic's hard sell as they are of timeshare pitches.  Think about it...would you really feel confident in your MD if your internist suddenly started offering two-for one deals or "deep discounts" to get you to choose her clinic over another?

Good luck to you...and keep doing your research.