Laser hair removal is a game-changer. The odd thing about it, though, is it can be hard to find answers about how well it works, how much it costs, and what a laser hair removal experience is really like.
Here I hope to be transparent and share my laser hair removal experience and give you my honest Ideal Image review.
Here’s the thing: shaving and waxing are one of those things that seem unavoidable as a woman.
Time consuming, expensive, painful, annoying, unpleasant, inconvenient- these are all things frequently associated with shaving and waxing- and with no end in sight!
Hold up- there actually is an end in sight if you consider laser hair removal!
Imagine having that freshly shaved/waxed confidence ALL the time.
Yeah, I wouldn’t mind that one bit.
Here’s what I’ll cover here:
- Each round of treatment
- Does it hurt?
- How many treatments do I need?
- Why Ideal Image?
- How do I know if I qualify for laser hair removal?
- What is the cost like?
- How long does the treatment take?
- How does it compare to MedSpas?
My Ideal Image review
I wanted to write a blog post where I could keep you all updated on my laser hair removal journey with Ideal Image! So here goes!
First, can I just say that if you are considering laser hair removal, just consider how much of a difference it can make!
No shaving/waxing/Nairing… Instead you can have a boost of confidence in that tank top or whatever it is you’re wearing. The difference is profound, almost painless, and so easy!
Anyway, I started my Ideal Image experience in March 2018.
Fast forward and my personal results still speak for themselves as I update this post in 2023!
I started off getting complimentary laser hair removal for my underarms as a promotional deal, but loved it so much that I added my bikini line (which I paid for out of pocket)!
Round 1
The steps (as experienced by me) after my first treatment
- Get laser hair removal. To prepare for this, you just need to shave the morning of the treatment.
- Leave the hairs alone for at least a few days before shaving them. During this period, the existing hairs start growing out as they fall out.
- Your hairs start falling out a bit at a time (it takes 2-3 weeks for the hair to shed). DO NOT pluck them or get them waxed!
- Once they’ve all come out, this is followed by a 3-5 week period where I don’t see any hair at all!
- After that, when the next hair cycle starts kicking in, I see really thin, light hairs starting to grow. You can definitely shave them! Fewer hairs grow back compared to what you had originally.
- They start getting a bit darker and thicker by the time your second treatment comes around. Make sure you avoid sun exposure on your underarm area a few weeks prior to your next treatment!
Round 2
My second laser hair removal treatment was not as painful as the first one (not that it was super painful on the first go-around, it just was less this time!). My nurse said that usually the second one can hurt more because they increase the voltage– but I didn’t get that feeling. Maybe it was because I knew what to expect, or maybe it was just that I had fewer hairs to zap this time around. Either way, it wasn’t as intense!
I’m currently at the cool stage where the little hairs are slowly coming out. I love this stage because it really fascinates me to see less and less hairs on my underarms each day. That might be weird, but I just love seeing the results!
And of course I love the completely hairless stage. It’s unreal to think that after all of my treatments are done, the hairless stage will be permanent!
Round 3
Guess what! I love my underarm hair removal so much that I’m added on my bikini line!
What I noticed: to me, bikini definitely stings more than underarms.
I think it’s just the nature of the hair down there.
Beauty is pain, y’all.
And it’s totally worth it in my book if I can avoid awkward razor burn down there…
Rounds 4-6
Laser hair removal is just the best beauty expense out there in my book.
I go so long without having to shave, and when I do, it’s tiny hairs that I don’t even realize are there until I look carefully.
On my bikini line, I’ve notice that the hair takes even longer to grow back than for my underarms- the treatments are working so well!
Rounds 7-9
At the time of writing, I have now been done with my underarm treatment for three months, and have noticed some light underarm hair growth.
However, in the same three months without laser hair removal (due to current world events), I haven’t noticed any bikini line hair growth at all! And I’m not done with my bikini yet- I still have three more sessions to go.
Why? Well, apparently some areas are tougher to treat than others, and it does vary from person to person.
My Ideal Image nurse explained to me that sometimes if people have both areas treated, they might notice that one area is more effective than the other.
That was definitely my case.
And honestly I’m really happy that my bikini is the more effective of the two with laser hair removal treatment!
Bikini has always been more problematic for me (razor burn, the unplanned times you end up in a swim suit, etc.), so I’m ecstatic with the results.
2023 Update
Results vary from person to person, but here’s how my laser hair removal experience has been almost four years later!
Up until I got pregnant in August of 2021, I still had to shave my underarms once every month or so, but my bikini line had stayed clear! So my personal Ideal Image review is that I still would recommend laser hair removal at Ideal Image.
But let’s talk pregnancy and laser hair removal.
With pregnancy hormones, you can expect your hair to grow/regrow/change. I’m currently pregnant at the time of writing this update, and I’ve noticed that I’ve had to shave my underarms once a week or so. Definitely more frequently than pre-pregnancy. That being said, the hair on my underarms is still way, way more sparse than it was before laser hair removal.
My bikini line has stayed hairless except for one or two stragglers that show up every couple of months.
It’ll be interesting to see if my underarm hairs continue to grow at this pregnancy-related faster rate after birth or if it’ll go back to my pre-pregnancy rate. I’ll keep you posted!
If it does continue to grow back more quickly, I think I’ll go back to Ideal Image and test out how they do with their lifelong warranty… and if so, I’ll definitely let you know how that goes!
Laser Hair Removal Questions:
1. Does laser hair removal hurt?
This was the number one question asked by my friends and family.
For underarm laser hair removal, I’d describe the pain as a mild to moderate pin-prick sensation. Most of the moderate pain is in the center of your underarm, and the mild pain is around the edges.
If you’re afraid of pain like I am, don’t worry! It only lasts for about 30 seconds. Then it’s over and it’s on to the next underarm.
Afterwards, for about an hour or so (for me at least) there was a very mild stinging sensation- emphasis on very mild. It faded pretty quickly.
By the time my second treatment came around, I no longer had a mild stinging sensation afterwards.
However, my bikini line was definitely more painful than my underarms!
I’d say laser hair removal on the bikini line feels like a moderate to intense pin-prick sensation depending on where exactly the laser is targeting. (It’s more painful on the pubic bone and less painful the further out they go, ie. towards your leg). If needed, you can get numbing cream prescribed. I never used numbing cream- just held on to a stress ball that they had in my treatment room.
Let me be clear, though, the temporary pain has been so worth it!
Also, here’s a tip that one of my Ideal Image nurses taught me on how to ease the pain naturally: you can ask your nurse to press on the lasered area directly after it is zapped. It dulls the pain almost instantly! So be sure to ask your technician to do the same thing if you need it!
They also give you a cooling gel to apply after the treatment, which definitely helps.
2. How many treatments do I need?
The package with Ideal Image comes with 9 treatments, though most people only need around five.
The experts at Ideal Image assess you to make sure that you’re completely done with your treatment.
You’ll notice less and less hair growing back after each treatment.
And the reason for multiple treatments is due to the hair growth cycle. The lasers only get hair follicles that are in the active stage.
3. Why do laser hair removal at Ideal Image?
When it comes to any sort of treatment on your body, you want the best of the best. You definitely want to be in good hands.
And the great thing about Ideal Image is that they give you treatment options that are catered to you, and use medical grade machines.
There are different types of laser hair removal machines. Most medspas use IPL (Intense Pulse Light) for hair removal and it is less effective (and more painful!) than lasers.
But at Ideal Image, they use medical grade machines that are used by medical professionals. And that’s another reason- Ideal Image only uses licensed medical professionals to perform treatments. You won’t find that at many other medspas.
At Ideal Image, these medical professionals have performed over 6 million laser hair removal treatments.
It definitely gives you confidence in what they are doing!
4. How do I know if I qualify for laser hair removal?
You’ll want to go in for a consultation.
The best combination for laser hair removal is dark hair and light skin (though Ideal Image is able to treat both darker skin tones and lighter hair unlike most medspas!).
Once you’re done with your consultation, you can get your first treatment done on the same day.
5. How much does laser hair removal cost at Ideal Image?
Honestly, it varies based on what you need done and what specials are going on.
I’d reccommend setting up a consultation at your local Ideal Image.
I went to the new Fort Worth location, where I worked with Dede, Mindy, and Molly. These ladies are the sweetest, and made me feel right at home!
While I don’t know the cost of my underarm treatment since it was comped, I did pay for my bikini line treatment.
I did a payment plan (with zero interest!) where I paid $100 a month for my bikini line, and total cost was $1261.
Worth EVERY PENNY to me!
There was a special going on, so I don’t have a hard and fast answer for how much bikini usually costs, but this is just to give you a very rough idea of how much Ideal Image treatment costs for your bikini line.
You could pay way more, the same, or less.
It really depends on the type of treatment you’ll need based on skin tone, hair type and whether there are any specials going on- so don’t be surprised one way or the other!
Either way, the consultation is worth it and you’ll get to see how much your individual treatment will cost.
And keep in mind that you should be able to set up an easy payment plan with low monthly payments.
6. How long does laser hair removal treatment take?
I was at Ideal Image for about an hour for my very first treatment, and much less for following treatments.
You spend forty minutes in the consultation, where they make sure you are a good candidate, explain the procedure, etc.
Then you spend about five minutes with the nurse to verify that you’re ready for the treatment.
After that, you get your laser hair removal package set up and confirmed. You are then ready for the actual procedure, which takes about three minutes total.
And voila! Your first treatment is done!
Following treatments take about 15-30 minutes from the time you step in the door to the time you leave (in my experience).
7. How does Ideal Image compare to MedSpas?
I wanted to get a full scoop on MedSpas vs. Ideal Image for you all (and for myself to know!).
I called a few local MedSpas inquiring about getting my bikini line done to see what answers they had to my questions.
There are some great deals on Groupon for MedSpa laser hair removal, and since these deals are probably the ones most people opt into, I figured I’d ask exactly what you can expect with them.
One office didn’t give much information, but the other was pretty helpful. The lady I talked to at Ultimate Image MedSpa explained that their goal is hair REDUCTION. After all of your treatments you can expect less hair in the future, but it’ll be back this time next year.
So the only time you don’t have hair is that sweet spot when the existing hairs have fallen out and the next round have not grown in yet.
The reason for the temporary nature of the MedSpa treatments is due to the quality of laser machine they are using. Meanwhile, at Ideal Image, they offer a Lifetime Membership for treated areas as a guarantee that the hair removal is permanent!
After considering the options, I decided to get underarm hair removal with the laser hair removal center ranked number one in the US: Ideal Image.
In conclusion…
I hope my laser hair removal review conveys how much I’ve loved my Ideal Image treatments, and how much I recommend it to you all!
I’ll keep posting more questions as I think of them, and keep you all updated on the results over time!
Please comment below if you have any questions you’d like me to try to answer for you based on my experience!
Happy grooming,
Jasmine
46 Responses
I liked that you explained that laser hair removal is painless and easy, unlike other forms of hair removal that you had tried before. I have thought about hiring a professional to perform laser hair removal to avoid shaving, but I have been worried about pain. Knowing that laser hair removal is painless helps me feel comfortable with the idea and will definitely consider getting it done.
Hi Ashley! I wish it were completely painless but unfortunately it is not! I’d describe the pain as a mild to moderate pin-prick sensation (this is based on my underarm laser hair removal experience). Most of the moderate pain is in the center of your underarm, and the mild pain is around the edges. The good thing is that the pain only lasts for about 30 seconds with a slight tingling sensation afterwords the first time you get it done.
It is really unfortunate that most MedSpa including Ideal Image, who use Candela technology, say it is painless, when their technology is outdated. I started my Laser Hair Removal treatment at a Miami “BodyFree” center. They told me about their technology, which unlike Candela, breaks energy down into multiple shots, to perform a REAL pain-free treatment. This is the Technology of Disair Laser Ultimate Trio. This technology is changing the way REAL PAINLESS laser hair removal is performed.
I DONT RECOMMEND IDEAL IMAGE. I am 5 months post laser hair removal and the hair is back like it never left. $2500 spent and they just want me to continue to pay $80 for a touch up every 2 months which is $480 a year. Don’t waste your time or money
Hi Keeona! I’m so sad you had such a bad experience! I have absolutely loved mine- so much so that I’ve added on different areas of treatment because I’ve had such great results! Based on my experience I truly do recommend Ideal Image to my friends and family- it really has helped with my confidence. So sorry that your treatments didn’t go well 🙁
I am currently getting my arm pits treated at Ideal Image and I agree how quick and easy the process is. @Keeona did you know they have a $150 lifetime guarantee that if the hair grows back you can come back and get it treated for free. I did this for my arm pits.
Hi Lauren! I’m so glad you’re loving the experience too! It really is so useful, and @Keeona she’s right, there is a lifetime guarantee option!
WARNING- the “lifetime guarantee “ is NOT FOR FREE – just because they sell you that and say it verbally I unfortunately found out today after my first touch up after 9 sessions I still had regrowth and was charged $135! When I questioned why it wasn’t free they said now they only give 90% off regular price for single session ! Insane and misleading and if that’s 90% off a single session it’s highway robbery- go to your local dermatologist
I am almost done with my treatment at ideal. I still have thick hairs in my Brazilian and I’ve been telling them over and over I have hair growth in an area they keep missing and they blame it on the area saying it’s harder to treat. Plus, like you said the lifetime guarantee isn’t a guarantee that there will be no regrowth and it doesn’t get you free sessions. It gives you discounted sessions for the work they don’t finish during your treatment window! They blame the need for more sessions on hormonal changes. They tell you that you get unlimited sessions for the year and a half you get with your purchase but the providers who perform the treatment and the schedulers push treatment as far back as possible. The biggest most important piece of information is THEY ONLY AIM FOR 80% HAIR REDUCTION. That means 80% thinner, or 80% less but they never tell you to expect full permanent hair removal when you start treatment, only when you’re speaking to their sales consultant who wants to sell you packages.
So sorry you’re having that experience Mel! I stopped going to my treatments when covid happened and saw no problem with my bikini line area (all my hairs were gone and I think I still had 3 sessions left) but have started to see light growth on my underarms (even though I had completed my underarm treatment). I know everybody is different so that’s just my experience. But I’m still so glad I did the underarm treatment since it’s so much easier to shave and much less frequent, too!
Hi Keeona! I want to echo what Jasmine said – I have had pristine results after treating my legs, full brazilian, and underarms, and now back. Best money I ever spent and no side effects or returning hair. I think results truly do vary from one person to the next. I couldn’t recommend this option more to friends and family. So sorry you weren’t happy with the outcome 🙁
Yay I’m so glad to hear you had a great experience Olivia! I have loved mine too!
Thank you for going over how much the treatment hurts! My entire family hates pain, maybe me most of all. I’m happy to know there isn’t much pain at all and that it only lasts a little while before I can enjoy it completely!
I’m so glad! Yes, the amount of pain is definitely temporary and is so worth the results in my opinion!!!
Laser hair removal is an effective approach to removing unwanted hairs. But this treatment is not entirely risk-free. So, prior to taking advantage of laser hair removal technique, make sure the treatment is right for you. This hair removal technique has no downtime. As far I know, it is one of the most time efficient techniques available for hair removal. Right from the stomach to legs, it is possible to get the whole body treated. Money and time are two important things that every individual strives to save. And the good news is- this treatment is capable of saving money in the long run.
I completely agree!
Laser Hair Removal, The biggest problems of women are the feathers in their bodies from the past to the present day. Recently, the desire of men to get rid of
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Thank you for sharing your experiences of different rounds. Very helpful for new users looking for permanent hair removal.
This is actually what we needed a painless hair removal. I’ve wanted to try hair removal process with my legs and underarms ever since i was just a bit scared because some people who experienced it said it was a painful process for them. But thank you sharing your experience this made` me a lil less nervous if I decided to try it soon.
Ow and by the way my friends referred me to https://youngmedicalspa.com/ to get my first hair removal so wish me luck.
In laser treatment, single-wavelength light is used that does not spread and target a single point. Moreover, it can be controlled and have the ability to travel long distances. All these characteristics make the laser procedure the right choice for localized hair removal.
My wife was telling me that she wishes she could wear a tank top more often. Her hair grows back really fast once she’s shaved. I’ll tell her about getting laser hair removal done so she can boost her confidence.
Thank you for sharing such a great article along with the queries. Recently, I was looking for the same but have a lot of queries regarding how many sessions it takes and the cost. You cleared all of my doubts in this single article. Really Informative!
Laser hair removal is the permanent treatment for hair it the solution for hair removal. Waxing is temporary and it is too pain full. Laser hair removal is the best option. For treatment of Micro Needling you can visit https://newskinlasercenter.com/
Thank you for sharing your experience. Your blog is very informative. I really like your blog.
If you’re not happy with shaving, tweezing, or waxing to remove unwanted hair, laser hair removal may be an option worth considering.
Permanent Laser hair removal in NJ is one of the most commonly done cosmetic procedures in NJ by Anara MedSpa. Visit – www.anaramedspa.com for more info
I agree how waxing and shaving is a painful and time-consuming experience. This was how I had done things before discovering hair removal treatment. I’ve previously had my hair removal session at edmonton medical spa , which was the best decision I ever had to deal with my body hair. It’s great that you’ve shared your own experience with your laser hair removal, which made me more confident to schedule a second session right away.
Hello, quick question. How many laser treatment sessions will it take to remove my tattoo?
Hi! This post is about laser hair removal, not tattoo removal. I’d consult a specialist for that answer!
Nice Article. Thanks for sharing this information. Best Skin, Hair, Laser Treatment Clinic in Hanamkonda
You need to be conscious that a pulled-back hairstyle would highlight the fuzz on face. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Nice article.Wow this is very interesting, I will definitely like to try that hair removal.
Either way, you’ll definitely need multiple sessions, though it depends on a huge variety of factors, including skin tone, the type of hair and body location, the type of laser, the settings and power that you’re using with the laser.
Wow, a lot of comment is very interacting and laser hair removal is best option. its longer lasting effect, safe and you will feel good after the treatment.
Hey! I enjoyed reading about your experiences. I just completed my consultation and signed away for treatment. Then I saw a lot of negative reviews online about the financial aspect and now I’m worried. Did you have to go through a bank loan site to set up your payment plan? How did that work out for you? Thanks.
Hello, I’ve had my body lasered and full treatments completed. I to have have the lifetime plan but have already had to go back in a few times for touch up which has costed almost $1k (keep in mind I’ve spent $20k for my removal). I enjoyed not having the hair but the touch up are going to be costly. I have about 85-90% effectiveness considering the amount of hair I had but I do not want to shave and when the hair is gone it did take a while to grow back. Last treatment was in Nov-2021 and just the other day I noticed more hair back in the treated area, which now looks silly. Booking a touch up is months out. Does anyone know of at home machines/ products (fuzz gun 2.0) for self touch up?
Hi John – did you purchase the “lifetime guarantee” for 90% off touch ups? The say it’s a one time fee, but it also looks like it’s a $250 a year membership fee, so I am confused. I’m currently a member from cool sculpting, so I have paid the $250 membership fee. For at home touch ups, my sister uses an IPL laser post-medi spa laser hair removal and recommends.
That is nice to know that there are laser solutions for armpit hair. My wife is always irritated that she has to shave there. Maybe she should get a consultation with a dermatologist.
You should know that a pulled back hairstyle can enhance a chubby face. Thanks for sharing your experience.
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It was helpful when you said to not wax or pluck them after treatment. For the past couple of weeks, I have been thinking about getting laser hair removal done for my legs and armpits, but I wanted to learn more about the process. I really appreciate you helping me learn more about the laser hair removal process!
I appreciate you sharing this article since it is really useful. I enjoy reading about your laser hair removal experience and I look forward to reading more of your work since it is both interesting and educational. Have a wonderful day, and many thanks.
Thank you for sharing your experience. That’s very helpful for me cause I’m thinking about getting a treatment. But one big concern for me is the price and as far as I know I have to do at least 6 treatments round to get the result. So, wonder if I can do laser hair removal at home. I have found this article, https://nanacorner.com/2023/01/31/5-hair-removal-methods-diy-and-tips-to-get-the-best-result-nanacorner-com/,
Talking about hair removal at home. I feel like I can DIY laser hair removal cause I think it’s not that complicated and this trend becomes popular now. Have anyone does laser hair removal at home?
Thank you for you review. I am also getting laser done at ideal image. I am curious did you tip the technician? I am confused if we need to tip. Please share your experience.
Great blog! I’d love to hear more about the results and any tips you might have for someone considering laser hair removal. Thanks for sharing..