i've had laser hair removal, and i think the process is more like your last paragraph. it's not like waxing, which yanks the hair out by the root. i believe the laser actually kills the hair follicle so the hair won't grow back. i think the reason you need multiple sessions is because hair grows in cycles.

not the best answer, i know, but that was my experience. after four sessions most of the hair on my underarms was gone for good.

Each session is supposed to get all of the active follicles.... then it takes a few days/weeks for it to fall out on it's own and meanwhile the next cycle of hair is growing back in.

I've done three sessions on underarms and bikini. There's definitely way less on my underarms, but the bikini area isn't that noticable (but I also didn't have all that much hair to begin with in either place.) I've got 2 sessions left.

I had laser hair removal done, I'm thinking about 4 yrs ago. I was up to my fourth session and ran outta $$$. I think you're supposed to go in 5-7 times? I had my underarms and bikini line (ouch) done. I absolutely loved it! God, not having to shave is the freakin best. Since I wasn't able to finish, the wicked hair has slowly come back, not as thick or as quick, mind you, but it's there. I still think it was worth it and will definitely go back as soon as my budget allows.

And yes, from what they told me (and I saw for myself) your hair grows in cycles so they schedule your appts accordingly. Also, they told me this treatment works best on lighter skinned, dark haired people b/c the laser is going for the dark pigment in the hair. Maybe they've improved.

So for YEARS I had to pluck, shave and wax almost EVERY day since I had a screwy hormonal in balance that would have made a FTM very jealous. To top it off I am very fair and have classic dark eastern european hair (thanks mom and dad). My friend worked at Aesthetic Laser center downtown in SF and volunteered to do me for free. Bless his now passed away heart because now I have beautiful fair skin and almost no hair to speak of.

So the truth about laser removal.

1. It friggin hurts. The thicker and darker your hair, the more it will be painful. Numbing cream is usually available for sale. BUY IT.
2. Each time honestly only kills about 20-25 percent of the hair permanently.
3. Since you hair grows in cycles, you should probably go every 6 weeks for the first few sessions.
4. What the laser does is basically KILL the hair root. Some of them pop out during the treatment. Others melt on your skin (lovely) and others have to grow out. You CAN use tweezers to pull out the stuck hairs...only if they come out easily. If you feel resistance leave it. Once the redness goes down, you can shave the skin and often that pulls out the stuck hairs.

I basically had about 7 sessions spread out over a year, and have had to go back for touch ups like once or twice a year. It is basically around 60-100 bucks a session mattering where you go.

Honestly, I can't tell you how much it changed my life. I felt like a lovely young woman again instead of a hormonal bearded freak (nothing wrong with being a hormonal bearded freak , it just wasn't for me)