What: Laser hair removal
Who: Megan McIntyre, beauty features director
Do you normally remove your body hair, and if so, how do you normally do it?
"Yes, usually I shave or I just let it grow out like a Chia Pet if I'm feeling lazy."
Before you tried your new hair-removal method, how did you feel?
"Laser hair removal seemed too good to be true, so my naive side was all shiny-eyed about the prospect of trashing all my razors, while my cynical side was cataloging all the bad side effects the internet had to offer."
What was the process like?
"I had both my armpits and my bikini line lasered. You need to grow your hair out pre-appointment so the technician can see what your hair follicle looks like and if it will respond to the treatment (dark hair and light skin, both of which I have, will get the best results — yay for me). The armpits were pretty straightforward, but the bikini is where things got awkward. You sit on a table with your vagina out there getting some fresh air while the technician bends your legs around to see all of the hairs on your vulva and pubic region. It's super-fun. I designated the type of shape I wanted, and then we went to town.
"A numbing cream is applied, but in my particular case it did jack shit. The device was run systematically over each section, with a burst of light popping as they press it on the skin, kind of like a camera flash. Each flash felt like someone was using my vagina as a dartboard. So. Much. Ouch... I wish I had blacked out... When she said 'done,' I was proud of myself for tolerating it and doing a somewhat passable job of convincing myself I could handle a few more rounds of this. The smugness lasted right up until I realized that 'done' meant 'done with this one tiny section.' I cried like a tiny infant for the next 10 minutes. When I got off the table, I refused to look my poor technician in the eye. I paid, tipped, and walked out mumbling with my head hung in defeat."
What were the results?
"I was red and very tender post-laser, and was instructed to avoid harsh scrubs or exfoliants around the area, as well as to take an aspirin for the pain and swelling. What most people don't mention about laser hair removal is that it is not a one-and-done thing. You don't walk out with a pubic region as smooth and hairless as Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool chest. You have to go back and endure this hell at least three more times. My underarms took five total appointments, and the hair there is for the most part nonexistent. I have about six or seven stubborn hairs in each pit that I have to shave on occasion, but it's very low-maintenance. My bikini, unfortunately, is not the same case. I wimped out and only did three treatments, which was definitely not enough. And while the sections that were lasered have less hair, there is still hair to be shaved. The one upside is that it's a lot easier to do so."
Would you do it again?
"Well, the whole goal here was NOT to have to do it again, but clearly I failed that one. I'm too emotionally traumatized to go back in and finish my bikini, and I simply don't have the patience, or most likely the ladyballs, to attempt to do my legs. So back to shaving I go. But, at least, it's a bit easier to trim the hedges now."
Illustrated by Elliot Salazar.