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When I moved from Alaska to Hawaii, I realized that my razor wasn’t going to cut it anymore. (Literally and figuratively—I was shaving constantly and still dealing with ingrown hair and stubble.) So I started looking into laser hair removal, which was something I’d always been curious about but never actually tried.
How Laser Hair Treatment Works
The morning of my session, I woke up early to shave—not because I was nervous, but because the PCC who booked my appointment told me it was important. She said that the laser works best on clean-shaven skin, and described that the laser works by targeting the pigment in the hair under the surface of the skin, making any hair above it get in the way. There should be no waxing, plucking, or tweezing done, since the root must be intact for the laser to do its job.
I arrived at the clinic a little anxious. I had signed up for Brazilian laser hair removal, plus underarms and lower legs—go big or go home, right? The idea of someone pointing a laser at my most intimate areas felt a little intimidating. But as soon as the Esthetician, Tatiana, welcomed me into the treatment room, my nerves settled.
The room was clean and calm. There was a wipe on the table in case I wanted to freshen up, and a towel laid out for modesty. She explained exactly what she was going to do and how it would feel—quick pulses of heat, like a rubber band snap, with a cooling spray before each one. Nothing I couldn’t handle.
Quick & Easy
She started with the legs. The Vectus laser made a soft click as it moved across my skin. It wasn’t painful—just a little snappy. Weirdly satisfying, like I could feel it working. She moved to the underarms next, which were even quicker. I had been worried about the Brazilian, but it wasn’t bad at all. Tatiana was calm, professional, and fast. She started on the outer edges and worked in. I barely had time to feel awkward before it was over.
What surprised me most was how fast the whole thing went. Maybe 20 minutes total.
That evening, I looked in the mirror and saw just a hint of redness—nothing dramatic. It felt a bit like I’d spent a little too much time in the sun, but not in a painful way. Tatiana told me that within a week or two, some of the treated hair would start to shed, even though it might look like it’s growing. That’s actually a good sign—it means the follicle is letting go.
And then came the magic: No shaving. No itchy regrowth. And… no ingrowns. Just smooth, happy skin.
I started noticing how much time lapsed without worrying about stubble growing and reaching for my razor. I could wear sleeveless tops and sundresses without second-guessing myself. I didn’t have to schedule around waxing appointments or plan beach days around razor burn.
Consistency Works
Tatiana explained that laser hair removal isn’t technically “permanent,” but it’s close. Hair grows in cycles, and the laser only works when hair is in its active growth phase. So multiple treatments are needed to catch all the hairs at the right time—usually 4 to 6 sessions spaced a few weeks apart.
Also, it doesn’t work on everything. The hair on my thighs? Too light. Laser doesn’t pick up blonde or gray hairs, so we skipped that area. But the underarms and bikini line? Totally fair game.
She told me to be careful about sun exposure before and after treatments. Living in Hawaii makes that tricky, but I made it work by booking sessions early in the morning and slathering on SPF 45+ religiously. Sun exposure can increase the risk of hyperpigmentation after laser treatments, so it’s worth being extra careful.
After that first session, I signed up for the full series. Not only do you get better results that way, but they offered 50% off maintenance treatments for two years, and that sealed the deal for me!
I wish I had done this sooner. If you’re considering laser hair removal in Kona or anywhere on the Big Island, I can’t recommend it enough at Dr. Monica Scheel Dermatology. Whether it’s for convenience, smoother skin, or finally getting rid of those stubborn ingrown hairs, it’s worth it. I started out nervous and unsure—now I look forward to my sessions.
Thanks a million, Tati!