I have to admit that the thoughts of going for potentially painful/stingy laser treatment on my underarms on a Saturday didn’t have me jumping for joy, however, for the prize of being hair-free I’d walk to the moon and back if I had to.
As it happens I didn’t have to go quite so far, only about a 15 minute drive out of the city centre to Claregalway, and there was no pain, a few stings but that’s all. So, I got my nervous self to the Laserderm Clinic where Lisa Callaghan put me quickly at ease and brought me through the introduction. Then it was up onto the bed and start zapping.
The Ellipse Intense Pulsed Light System does seem quite intimidating at first - you do eye up the hand-held laser crystal gun thingy suspiciously as it comes ever closer to your pits. I closed my eyes oh so very tightly, took deep breaths, and thought take the pain with dignity. Suddenly the zap sound went, a little tingling sensation followed, but no pain! Well, not how I imagined it. Yes, the sensation gets more intense in certain areas where the hair is denser but compared to bikini waxes this is a breeze. Either that or I have a high pain threshold, I told Lisa who confirmed that it really depends on the person; the darker the hair the more treatments needed and of course the more it stings. I was in and out in less than half an hour but the next treatment will require less introduction so really the treatment takes about half that.
A little tenderness followed but not much. An hour later and I could feel nothing at all. By the third day after my treatment bits of hair were just starting to make an appearance. By day five the hair was noticeably lighter and I was surprised to discover that with a bit of tug the hair actually came out on my fingertips, so a great result. Another thing I love about this laser treatment is that you’re actually allowed to shave, dare I say it! In fact, you’re encouraged to because the laser works on the roots and would just sort of bounce off any hair that has been left to grow. I was very surprised when I didn’t even have to pick up a razor for at least five days, and that’s just with one treatment. Can’t wait for my second session.
