I have wanted to try laser hair removal, but haven't. From my understanding you are a best candidant if there is a big difference in your skin color and hair color. Like pale to med-light skin color with dark hairs. Doesn't work as well for someone pale with light colored hairs or somone dark with dark or light hairs. It's the same whether you are naturally darker toned or are usually light but have a tan from sun exposure or sunless tanning products. Also, your hair grows in 12-week cycles where it is dormant for 10 weeks (approx) and actively growing for 2 weeks. Only the hair follicles currently active will be killed in any one treatment. I don't think 100% of the active hair follicles are killed, but I don't know what percentage are. I know that it takes about 6 treatment sessions to get about 70-80% of all the hair follicles. That being said, being the cheap-o that I am, I am trying the Igia Finally Gone. It only claims to kill 50% of the active follicles in any one session. So, if only 2/12's of the hairs are active and it only kills 1/2 of them, that is 1/12 of the total hairs per session, so I can expect to be hair-free in about 12 sessions ? I have only done about 4 (maybe 5) sessions over the last couple years. It is very very time-consuming even with the pads that cover more area at a time because I am doing my lower legs ... a lot of area to cover there. I can see some reduction in the number of hairs that grow on my legs and both legs have areas that are almost completely bald on the lower half of the lower legs towards the front and the inside. These are the areas that are the least "meaty". Don't know if that has anything to do with it ? For what it's worth, I have very hairy very coarse very dark hair on my lower legs and I am able to tell a difference already. When I "treat" my lower legs, I shave and then let the hairs grow for about 1-1/2 to 2 weeks, then I spend a saturday morning zapping my legs, and a few days after I have my legs waxed. Igia says you are to pull out each hair after the treatment, and waxing is the fastest way to get all of those hairs out ! I have also heard the "infomercial" for Nad's and they say after you wax a number of times that eventually the hairs stop growing. Not sure how true that is but don't try Nad's ... it does not work ... it is painful and it does not remove all of the hairs. If you want to wax, buy Gigi Honee All Purpose Hair Removal Microwave Formula from Sally's. It's also painful, but at least it removes all of the hairs ! You can also buy a Numbing Spray by Gigi that helps a lot. http://www.sallybeauty.com/ I don't have the guts to rip the waxing strips off myself, so I have someone else do the ripping.

coolmama- I have not noticed any side effects. I was cautious as I have been known to react to certain things. The dermo said to use 2X a day but I started out by using 1X a day for a few days and everything was fine so I have been doing it 2X for almost 2 months now. I didn't notice any drying, burning,etc. I'm not sure yet but I may use a depilitory on the rest of my face (as I have never done that before). I very carefully put a small amount in the eyebrow area and have noticed a big difference there also. I believe for the VANIQA to work, the hair has to be eliminated first because I have been putting it on my jawline and I don't see any difference. My jaw line is blond peach fuzz. What does everyone else do with theirs (if it is just peach fuzz)? Like I said, insurance doesn't cover it and it is $85 for @ a 1oz. tube. I think it will last me @ 6 months if I continue to put it on my jawline too. The instructions say to really rub it in. Otherwise, if you just put it on the upper lip..it will last forever. If you quit using it, it is my understanding,that the hair will return to the pre VANIQA.

I just used an electric razor for "peach fuzz". Lots of women do this. Really. Electric razor shaves don't grow back with 'stubble' like it does with using razor blades that give a sharp cut to the hair. I had a friend who got laser hair removal done is is quite pleased with the results. I am not a good candidate for laser removal as my hair is light blond with pale skin so it is not an option for me.

I wanted to start around 11-12, when I became aware of it and my friends started shaving their legs. I remember my mom said I was not allowed until I was 13, and she wouldn't budge on that. And I didn't dare disobey her, even though it was terrible living in California in long pants! If I have a daughter I'll let her shave her legs at a reasonable age. I've never cut myself shaving. I guess the razors now are safer? I'm cringing at some of these stories!