Editor’s Note: I am not a medical professional. As with everything, discuss all procedures with your doctor.
For nearly the entire past year, I have been visiting Metro Laser for full body (below neck, really) laser hair removal. These days, the med spa’s Philadelphia location is in Chinatown, but when I used to go years ago (prepandemic, prechildren) it was located on Walnut Street. Why I chose Metro Laser? I caught a Groupon deal. Talk about tbt.
I remember everything about my first session including what I was wearing (a seersucker dress) and where I ate afterward (Oyster House).
Ever since the pandemic, I have kept my legs hair-free. A daily leg shave was a ritual I adopted to feel a bit more normal during a time of chaos. Fact: Save for the three days I was stuck at my parents house post-tropical storm-triggered power outage that eliminated hot water supply, I shaved my legs every day of the pandemic. In addition to those three days, with the exception of the six collective days I was in the hospital recovering from childbirth (love you, Petite garçon and Bebe Deux!), I shaved my legs every day since I took a six month hiatus from work in favor of pursuing a yoga-filled life of wellness when my husband and I moved to Monterey, California for six-ish months at the beginning of 2019. Namaste.
Since returning from Asia post pandemic, I went back to laser hair removal and invested in a six session package.
does it hurt?
Laser hair removal is not a trip to the spa. It does not feel good. It is not particularly fun. The feeling is comparable to being snapped with a rubber band. Over and over. My usual session takes about two hours.
i found that pounding a white wine prior to the treatment makes the session pass faster. I also recommend making friends with the laser tech and having a conversation. Conversation topics I have had recently: living abroad, my sons, hair removal in Kazakhstan, private school admissions, half marathon running, my new podcast.
I will say that the hair removal laser is not as painful as the tattoo removal laser. Also it is not as bad as running a half marathon or giving birth to a child, vaginally at least.
does it work?
Thanks to my pale skin / dark hair contrast, I have found laser hair removal to be effective. I understand that this is not the case for everyone pending hair and skin tone. So do your own damn research.
