Review - Brazillian Bikini Laser Hair Removal & Updates

I started my laser hair removal for my underarms, however, more recently I decided to start the laser procedures on my bikini area and decided to purchase the Brazilian package. 

I have to say that this whole experience has been a learning experience for me since I really don't know much about the area 'down there'.  I am deciding to share with you my experience just in case you ever find yourself where I was and need a little clarification or reassurance.

After I made the appointment over the phone, I also received a confirmation email, which I appreciate because I have to enter everything into my Gmail calendar since I tend to forget everything these days.  I forgot to ask the lady about preparation...so I called back the next day and spoke to her about what I needed to do to prepare.  The Brazilian is everything, but I wasn't ready to do that, so she instructed me to shave the area I want lasered the day before or the day of my appointment.

So, now it was time to decide my forever future.  What did I want my 'down there' to look like in all the years to come?  Nothing? A triangle? A landing strip? A heart? (just kidding, no way)  How to decide?  I spent a little time looking up imagines online and I asked a few men what their overall preference was.  A decision was made. 

But now for the hard part...to shave that region.  I have never done this before, I only buzzed it.  It would be a lot easier if I had someone to shave that area for me.  Since I was a little worried about how long this was going to take, and since I was busy the day before my appointment, I did it 2 evenings before.  I spent a lot of time with the shaving cream and the razor.  I got it to look like what I thought, but I can't cut that straight so little by little more came off.

Unfortunately, the day of my appointment, my area was quite inflamed from the razor - and I even used a lot of shaving cream...I guess I need to replace my cartridge already.  Anyway, it didn't hurt, but it didn't look pretty.

Next was to allow some lady to become very well acquainted with my area.  When I got to the place, my aesthetician was very nice.  She went over the 'basics' and told me about their machine, possible side effects, etc. I filled out two forms then we got down to business.   She brought me into the room and gave me the option of using tiny disposable panties or not.  I figured it would be easier without and if I am doing something out of my comfort zone, might as well go all the way.  She gave me glasses to wear and applied the gel.  She started up the laser and began from the outside in.  You will feel some zapping and it may be a little uncomfortable until you get used to it.  The brazillian removed everything (or as much as you want) - the whole front area, the thigh crease, and the butt trail, as opposed to a 'high bikini/full bikini' that is the basic bikini but a little wider on the top and sides, and the regular bikini is just the very basic bikini line.  Anyway, getting back to my first session, I think the laser setting was somewhat lower because of my irritation, so it didn't zap me as much as my underarms did.  Then I flipped over and it was over before I knew it.  While exposed, I wondered why more people didn't get this done - waxing is way more painful.  It doesn't hurt just feels a little tingly at times and once you get past the being exposed thing - it isn't so bad.  Now having met my certified laser specialist and licensed aesthetician I feel a lot more comfortable for what to expect next time.

Perhaps the actual lasering took maybe 15 minutes? Maybe 10.  I didn't look to see the time before we actually started, but I was there for 30 minutes and that was a lot of talking at the beginning.

I redressed and then got my tip ready.  I am not sure how much to tip.  I had a coupon but I was not sure what their original price is for that service, many other companies have it anywhere from $180 - $400 per session to $800 - over $2,000 or more for the package (usually 6 sessions in a package).  I bought mine for significant less.  I ended up giving her $25 thinking that I was uncomfortable and that the first time is more awkward - but that was like a 50% tip on one session.  My next appointment is in 7 weeks since I am away week 6.  I just need to be really careful not to tan that area too much - and be super careful in July right before my appointment.

I look forward to seeing the progression of less and less hair.

Updates:  At each session, they raised the level of the laser. And I didn't tip that much again, usually somewhere between 5-10 each session, and a little more on the last session when I was "happy" with the results.
After session 1 I barely noticed any difference.
After session 2 I noticed some thinning. Also, shaving  became easier and my body got used to it, so I didn't have to worry about razor burn again.  I decided to start shaving more than my design to thin out that area later on - so for two -three sessions everything was being removed.
After session 3 I noticed that the hair coming through was very blotchy - a good sign.
At session 4, lady tells me I have a lot of hair follicles.  I know this, since I can still see so much hair.  Sure, it is thinning out a lot...but I am worried that it won't all be gone after session #6...and I will have to buy a few more sessions.   I've also been more undecided about my end result, and at session 3 & 4 had more hair removed to 'thin' out what will remain. 
After session 5, I noticed it is much thinner and somewhat blotchy.  At this point I am more concerned with the hair that is still on my upper thigh, I thought that should have been virtually gone by now, but it is not. Knowing I only have one more treatment is stressing me out a little because I know I will need a few more.  Remember laser hair removal is effective up to 80% of most cases, so having some hair left is normal, but I want even less hair.
After session 6, I will need more sessions.  It is a lot less, but still way too much to say it got rid of 80%.  But we are all different (my co worker is very happy after only 3 sessions).  Of course I have to wait until another Groupon because I can't afford to pay full price.

Update:  the laser for my underarms is going very well.  I am not worried about having much hair left when I finish that treatment...I have been very very happy with those results. I had 6 treatments done and two touch ups.  Amazingly happy. {I very rarely shave my underarms...once a month? LOVE IT}

Update 2: Since I was so happy with my underarms - I decided to start the laser hair removal on my face.  I am very pleased with this as well.  Both my underarms and face were done at the same place.

Update 3 (April 2012): After the completion of the first brazillian bikini area, I purchased a 'full bikini' groupon somewhere new.  This place the machine was different - there was a cooling hose. This coupon was for the side of the bikini and the top.  They did not do the upper thigh which I was a little upset about since you still see that in a swimsuit & panties.  But I think I will be fine with the remaining inside hair, since it won't be too much and it should be fairly thin from the first treatment.

Update 4 (Nov. 2012): 
     a)  I am still very pleased with my underarms, I only had the 8 sessions, so there is still a little hair, but it isn't bad.  I will probably go in a year and get it a touch-up to clean it up a little more. 
     b)  My bikini area is kind of a mess.  I had a different package at a different place that was only $150.  They used a machine with a cooling hose, so it numbs you a little bit when you are being lasered - this would be great for beginners ..but I am not sure if the machine is better or the same as others...so hard to know which are the best ones that give you longer results.  Also, when there is a lot less hair, you will notice less zapping...another sign there are less hair follicles.  Now my bikini area is a little more uneven, but overall after the 11 sessions I've had so far, it is extremely noticeably cleaner and the hair is taking about a month to grow back, which they tell me is a good sign.  I have more hair in my leg crease then I'd like but I am still quite pleased, it makes my shaving when need be much easier; but I don't shave too often, no need.  I'll probably get a touch-up or two in the fall to get those random hairs at the place that did my underarms/face - since I am the most happiest with them.  But all in all - I am very pleased with it.
     c)  My face, I had 6 sessions.  I did not shave my face before my sessions because the hair was thin and I didn't want stubble.  After 2 months since the last session, the hair on my face is somewhat noticeable again up close, which makes me feel very uncomfortable - but nothing I am not new to.  I may need to bleach it a little until I decide what to do.  Electrolysis takes forever and is very painful, so I will probably end up with another laser package for my face, or more importantly my cheeks since I was very pleased during the treatment, I just can't stop new hair from growing in.

Update 5 (January 2013):  I decided to do another round of laser on my face, at the same location as the first time.  The lady was surprised  - she doesn't think I'll need another 6 session, but I know I'll need at least 3 (and really the groupon prices are so good, that buying the 6 is cheaper than doing 3 at regular price).  She is very understanding and allowing me to go 8-10 weeks before each session.

Update 6 (June 2013):  I am SO happy with everything.  The face is coming along really nice, and the hair coming in is so fine and sporadic.  I had her touch up my underarms...which I haven't shaved since I started!  This time of year with all the ladies wearing sleeveless shirts, I see a lot of black hair follicles that are shaved but there...and I look and I am so happy that isn't me anymore.  My armpits are nice.  Sure, I get some new hairs...but a touch up once or twice a year fixes that (or a quick shave) this was my first touch up since last year.  I started my bikini yet again....but this time at the same place that I am really happy with.  After one new treatment - I saw results and after 6 weeks such a noticeable difference - I know this time around will work :)  My next appointment is in September - so I have the summer off in case I get tan & to give the hair time to come back in.  I rave about laser hair removal...but my sisters and my mother are hesitant...and I look at them and I am so happy I don't have extra hair on my face, under my arms or my bikini area.  I really wish I had before/after pictures to show you.  The best $1,780 ($300 armpits, $300 face, $300 face, $300 brazilian bikini + $150 high bikini + $300 brazilian bikini + $130 touch-up package) + tips I've spent in a long time.

Update 7 (June 2014):  I had my last bikini session this month.  There were 6 in the package and it took a year to use them...that is averaging going once every other month, which gave the area time for the hair to grow before it was lasered, which is a good sign since I had quite a bit of treatments before.  I don't have to worry about a last minute trip to the beach or an impromptu sleepover...it really looks great.  When I look in the mirror it looks great, but I still trim the hair I left to make it cleaner.  I had my last face treatment about two months ago - and I did have her touch up one spot in June.  Hair will continue to grow, but for the most part the face looks terrific.  And I heard that stress causes facial hair growth...and I have been amazingly stressed since December.  As for the underarms...in the last year I had touch ups once or twice and only shaved twice when I had a work meeting that would have revealed my armpits and a few hairs.  I think out of all three body parts I had done, the underarm was the fastest and longest lasting.  After three years, I've gotten to know the two ladies really well, and it was hard to say goodbye (I am moving, but I will probably still go back there for my touch ups since I have minutes left).

Update 8 (January 2015):  I had a touch-up in November for my underarms and my face. My underarms are still really amazing; I barely shave.  There hasn't been much new growth, but there was some hair and I needed to use up my last few minutes because I moved out of the area.  My face....will that ever be hairless?  I doubt it.  The little new hair growth seems like dark thick hair, but it is in a few sporadic places, so I've shaved it before dates or interviews.  My bikini area hasn't had treatment since June 2014.  I am happy to report that it made a difference.  New hair growth is there, but it is thin and spread out; a quick shave fixes that if needed...but for the most part, I barely notice it.  Eventually, once I get a job and my finances stabilize, I will look into future touch-ups.  But I am still really happy.

I can't tell you how wonderful this has been.  I never had any weird side effects.  I never stayed to ice any areas.  It was easy and addicting (as you can tell by the three year process).

Would I go again? Get more lasered?  Yes, absolutely.  I'd love to have my legs done at some point, and of course I'll need a few touch-ups here and there.

For those of you in Westchester, my FAVORITE laser place is Dare to be Bare.