I wanted to share my laser hair removal experience with my fellow plus size babes. Because I wish I had of had it done years ago.
Just to disclose a little further. I’m taking about laser on my facial side burns, top lip & bikini line.
For my entire life I have been self conscious about my ‘side burns’ and more recently thanks to PCOS, my lip fuzz.
Yeah they are natural yada yada but I hated having curly frizzly tufts of hair on the side of my face. Every month I would have them bleached white blonde so they weren’t as visible. I’d dread going to their hairdressers or getting my makeup done at shoots because they were frequently mentioned. I always made a joke out of it but I have to admit I was still embarrassed.
Then one day, whilst I was complaining, my hairdresser cut off my sideburns, without my permission and told me to go get my face lasered. Initially I was pissed off. Like WHO DOES THAT TO SOMEONE.
I let them grow out. Then a year later the corners of my top lip got a little more fuzz thanks to my PCOS flaring up. In photos I could see the moustache shading. No big deal to some people but I personally didn’t like it. I hated seeing myself in photos with my fluffy side burns.
Adding to my self consciousness in July 2017 I had a medical treatment which totally fucked my hair. I’ve lost more than half of it and the rest snapped off into two inch spots here and there. Thats a whole other story but I had to stop bleaching my hair. A brown tint has been applied to tone it all down and blend with my natural roots. Which means that my sideburns were WAY more visible now. So I decided to do something about it.
These were my concerns with getting laser.
- It would be expensive and I’d have to pay for bulk sessions
- I had fair hair and it wouldn’t work
- I would be body shamed
- I would feel uncomfortable or embarrassed
- I might get burnt
- The equipment might not be decent
- It would grow back and not work
- It would hurt (I have the worst pain tolerance and am a total sook)
All of the above are valid concerns. But I can tell you now that everything worked out for the best for me and I regret not going years ago.
Here’s some tips
~ Select a reputable clinic
My beautiful friend Belinda gave me a $50 promo voucher to the Laser Clinics Australia that she got in a gift bag from an event.
I recognised the name as they have clinics all over Australia (mostly in shopping centres) and they seem to be pretty busy.
As travel around a fair bit, it was appealing that they had many locations so if I was away and wanted a touch up I could pop in.
Normally I’m all about supporting small businesses. But I wanted a mainstream reputable clinic as I felt comfortable and trusted that their machines were up to scratch and wouldn’t burn me.
~ Booking an appointment
I called up to discuss a booking with the reception staff. I told them my concerns and we chatted through my concerns, the service and the cost. LIKE GUYS WHY DIDNT I DO THIS YEARS AGO. SERIOUSLY. I felt totally at ease.
Hint ~ They often have 40% off. I recommend waiting until they have a discount running its much more cost effective.
~ The prep
No big deal here. I’d showered and shaved the relevant areas before attending the clinic.
To do the side burns I used a flat razor trimmer thing from Big W. I instantly loved the look without sideburns. Yes it was scary to do that. I felt like a man doing it. But the process was liberating.
Vag – right well, plus size babes often have a chubby mons pubis area. Me too guys. I also can’t see past my boobs to see whats going on down there too much. (actually can’t believe I’m talking about this on the internet….)
If you aren’t comfortable then use a mirror or lay down and shave. Take your time!
Make sure you don’t wear a jumpsuit and have something to cover the top of your body. It’s a little chilly being totally naked.
I wore a maxi dress so just lifted it up when required.
~ The appointment
When you arrive you fill out some paperwork and have a consult with a staff member.
I’m pretty confident with my body. Not too bothered getting naked. But I did have a moment of WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING. A LADY IS GOING TO HAVE HER FACE NEAR MY VAG. I did get a little shy for a moment.
But you know what the best thing was. My therapist was visibly plus size. And I felt relieved. We joked about the blind vag shaving. I knew she saw so many bodies every day so after I told myself that a few times I just laid there and chatted.
I was mainly there to have my face lasered. The bikini line was something I decided I wanted done on the day before I arrived.
From memory you do have the option to keep underwear on or wear a disposable pair. I just went starkers.
Does it hurt? Well, it’s like being flicked by a rubber band with cold air being blown on the spot. I expected it to be way worse.
There was a few tender moments on my bikini line. But it was all over within five minutes. A few times I smelt burnt hair as she went over bits I had missed during shaving. I’d had brazillions before but they hurt so much. My pain tolerance is pathetically embarrassing. So this pain was nothing compared to that.
~ The cost
With my voucher and the 40% it cost me nothing the first time. YUP. Pretty happy with that.
The most I have paid is $90, and that was face and bikini. Next time I will wait until they have 40% off again because it does save you a fair chunk of money.
~ The Results
My first session was the most effective within days. No ingrowns on my bikini line for a long time no stubble it was awesome.
I did have to keep razoring my sideburns until the next appointment but only a little bit bit. Every three months I pop back and have another treatment.
I feel much more confident without my sideburns. I no longer carry have to gel them back in the morning or use paw paw ointment on them throughout the day. I’ve noticed a big shift about how I feel about my found face and now wear my hair tied up more.
I just this moment scrolled back to a year ago on my insta and I always had my hair over my ears and side of my face in photos. In the last 6 months since having laser hair removal I’ve been wearing my hair off my face way more.
~ Clinic Info
I visited the
Laser Clinics Australia
Pacific Fair, Gold Coast
I found them to be fat friendly and very professional.
Also just want to throw this out there that this post captures my personal experience and feelings re facial hair. If you want to rock your facial hair proudly then thats awesome. Go you girlfriend! It’s just not for me personally.
Not a sponsored post nor were the services gifted. And plus I didn’t want the person who was laser in my bikini line to know who I was anyways. HAAA. AWKWARD MUCH.