Comments on Crunchy Chicken: Laser hair removal

She makes me smile! I don't shave my pits, an...

2010-10-04T23:41:56.334-07:00

She makes me smile! I don't shave my pits, and tufts on other girls makes me feel like we share a secret. It's tough at times to sport the look considering most people's reactions(my mother included, it somehow personally offends her). I was lucky to be with a supportive boy when I first grew mine out. Seems to be his preference now. Unshaven armpits are a bit erotic too(Egon Schiele is a great reference, personal experience, and has anyone seen Ang Lee's 'Lust, Caution?' Great scene to tip the scales.) H-o-w-e-v-e-r, I can remember being a senior in high school on my first trip to Europe and being quite shocked when our Italian tour guide gestured broadly, revealing her dark underarms. I also have quite a distaste for hairy legs. Can't stand to let mine go. I love smooth legs on a female. Can't break that imprinting? If I could afford it, I would definitely have the removal done on my upper lip and bikini area(shaping mind you, love things tidy, but have an appreciation for the dark triangle of our sex look.) I wish you luck with your experience!

Thanks for laser hair removal information

2009-12-22T01:22:32.842-08:00

Thanks for laser hair removal information

I think the picture shows a beautiful woman. Her s...

2009-12-08T13:21:55.916-08:00

I think the picture shows a beautiful woman. Her smile and her eyes show that she's happy (if we disregard for a moment that this was almost certainly staged) and that goes a long way.

However, I think what some people may be reacting to is the lack of body hair anywhere else. It looks like either she has shaved/waxed her arms and hands, or that someone took a picture of the typical hairless model* and then digitally added some ancillary hair. Of course, there are many women who naturally have arms and hands that look like that, but the color and amount of her ancillary hair would lead me to be suspicious that she falls into that group.

That's one of the things I dislike about the idea of leg-shaving, actually: it's a gateway drug. A lot of young women I know shave their arms, too, which is where I draw the line. I don't care either way if someone else does it, and I understand that some people find leg-stubble unattractive, but I've just got better things to do than sit around removing all of my body hair because other people think it's icky.

*occasionally I'll get catalogs intended for the previous occupant of the apartment (I'm trying to get them stopped). Not only are the models all completely hairless except for their heads, eyelashes and eyebrows, some of them are faintly glowing. It's kind of weird.

PS I've had some electrolysis too on my abdome...

2009-12-07T13:59:38.642-08:00

PS I've had some electrolysis too on my abdomen, but it was agony and has left me with quite noticeable white scars.

My first comment - oddly enough this is a topic cl...

2009-12-07T13:57:15.013-08:00

My first comment - oddly enough this is a topic close to my feminist heart!

I never doubted that the woman in the photo was a woman - she has a delicate face, breasts, and very smooth skin. I don't think she looks bad, though I find it a little odd to see her armpit hair when you can't see her head hair...sort of unbalanced. I have seen pictures of women with body hair that were really gorgeous (to me - I'm British, female and straight!).

However, when I experimented with letting my own body hair (which is fairly extensive - I have PCOS) grow free last summer, I couldn't hack the embarrassment I felt at displaying. Even my own mother told me it was 'disgusting'. That sentiment wasn't something I felt ready to oppose.

I've just had my 4th of 6 laser treatments on my jawline, chest, nipples and tummy (costing £400 for the lot). I find some areas can be quite painful but it's over fast. It's usually more of a 'weird' feeling than a really agonising one. I'm very pale with dark hair and have noticed an almost total end to hair growth everywhere except my tummy, which is slower to change as the hair's more stubborn.

I can't afford laser treatment all over and also didn't want to get rid of it all in case I ever decide to go natural again, so I am using an epilator on my legs - uses electricity but at least you only ever need one and there's nothing to throw away or refill.

Compulsive overshare?!

I got a good deal on Laser hair Removal a few year...

2009-12-06T16:08:44.144-08:00

I got a good deal on Laser hair Removal a few years ago. I got four sessions (then the deal ended). My skin at the time was a lighter olive tone and dark hair. I probably needed 6-8 sessions but for now the four eliminated the need to wax my upper lip (I was doing it every three weeks before) and has lightened and lessened the hair in other er- unseemly places (I'm Italian- it's everywhere!). Someday I'll go back and get more for sure!

I did the laser thing on my face and bikini...I ha...

2009-12-06T12:40:56.834-08:00

I did the laser thing on my face and bikini...I had only 1 or2 on the bikini but like 5-7 on my face. Now at 6-8 months later only 30% still remains gone. It seems like it takes longer to grow which is great. I think if you plan on doing it forever on time you can be hair free. Once you stop new hair will come in.

I don't shave any of my body hair and live in ...

2009-12-04T19:38:29.629-08:00

I don't shave any of my body hair and live in a community that generally doesn't either. I find it natural and beautiful.

However, this photo was a little surprising to me. I think it is because it has a commercial/advertising look. And even though I am used to seeing unshaved women, I am not used to seeing in advertisements or media.

I find it interesting how many commenters have found the woman "masculine", which I didn't see at all.

I think she looks great! = ) Honestly, shaving is...

2009-12-03T18:33:48.802-08:00

I think she looks great! = )
Honestly, shaving is quite the personal preference. If you're grossed out by body hair, go ahead and shave! If you aren't/think it's a waste of time, go ahead and leave your hair! But as someone who used to shave 3-4 times a week, I know what it's like to be on both sides.
When I first decided to not shave anymore, it was just the legs. I thought it would be too gross to not shave my armpits! But when I forgot for two weeks (don't really know how???), I realized it wasn't a problem at all. In fact, I feel all nasty-slick when I do shave now! = ) Not shaving isn't a matter of hygiene - just personal preference. Bushels of hair can be a little "woah," but otherwise, some natural hair is beautiful! = )

OH, and in the last 8 years, I confess I have boug...

2009-12-03T10:50:01.053-08:00

OH, and in the last 8 years, I confess I have bought some disposable razors. I'm working on a pack of 3 that I bought 5 years ago.

And, also want to say thanks for the groupon reference; I never heard of them and went and signed up!

I'm just cracking up at the picture. Can'...

2009-12-03T09:00:51.541-08:00

I'm just cracking up at the picture. Can't say why exactly.

I got laser hair removal about 8 years ago on my legs, bikini, brows, lip and chin. I LOVE IT, it is the best thing I ever ever bought. I think I paid about $1500 for a package that has proven to be nearly perfect.

Background: for some genetic reason (some say Irish), I have black body hair that is/was prolific. Waxers used to exclaim. Shaving was a daily chore. Waxing was better, but of course it grows back for a while before you can wax again, and there were ingrown hairs, it's still more of a time commitment than I'd want to have now, and it was not cheap, either (I did a cost analysis, for a laser payoff of about 4-5 years). I had my eye on lasers since I first read about them in 1995 or '96. I did not care too much about the green aspect, and still kind of don't, I confess (except the razors)! One laser can serve a lot of people.

Results: awesome, for me. My skin is pale, most hair was dark, and I only cared about getting rid of the dark hair. What I understand is the laser seeks dark pigment and cauterizes the follicle which then inhibits or stops future growth. For my legs this has been about 95% successful. I have stray hairs on my legs and for some reason it didn't work so thoroughly on my knees. But most hair is gone, and in the summer if I shave once a month it is enough to look hair-free. Brows, well that actually took off a little more than I intended at the ends, but they look fine, I tweeze some strays about once a month. Lip is about 90%, and I dry-shave to get rid of some dark hairs about once a month. Chin is more problematic. I go for laser touch ups a couple times a year, as this area is hormonally controlled, and though the follicles may be permanently treated, new ones tend to crop up.

Though some claim this treatment is not permanent, it has been for me on most areas, much more so than the people I know who did electrolysis (and I can't imagine doing electrolysis on legs!). I researched the type of laser, and I feel that is important. I HIGHLY, TOTALLY recommend the treatment. Not sure if your deal is going to give you a permanent removal, because, like I said, it can have a lot to do with the type of laser. But I LOVE the reduction, and feel it would have been worth it for whatever I could have afforded. It has been such a relief for me, I don't care if it's vain and against nature. Hair removal has been done for thousands of years, and I'm not ashamed to say I find excessive body hair unattractive on myself and others...... sorry.... I don't hold looks against anyone in a personal way, still like and respect hairy people, I just find it unappealing.

2 things: I'm ASSUMING you all know the lipsti...

2009-12-03T07:49:13.991-08:00

2 things: I'm ASSUMING you all know the lipstick crack was totally a joke. Actually, I think kissing lipstick is an ick. :-)

and; Amber -"I would love to be evolved enough to just accept the hair, but I am not. "

lol. Please don't beat yourself up about your preferences! Seriously- it's not anything that logic or reason have any traction on- these things are formed in early childhood, and imprinted, just like baby ducks on mama.

You learn, taught or not, "this is the right way"- and it sticks pretty much forever.

Actually- as a behavioral/evolutionary biologist- I have a very very strong hunch that "sexual orientation" can frequently happen exactly this way too. Not always- but often- a happy early sexual experience may IMPRINT your preferences; and so might an unpleasant one, in the opposite direction.

So much agony is expended on this aspect of our lives- and I don't think "imprinting" is even, ever, mentioned as a possible part of it.

You guys are too funny. That is a woman, with woma...

2009-12-02T21:28:09.181-08:00

You guys are too funny. That is a woman, with woman hands and some big ass hairy pits.

Megami - thanks for the info on Tria. I was wondering how useful that thing was.

Greenpa and the rest - Thanks for your honesty. I think we all have a visceral reaction to certain things, and for many, hairy pits is in the negative camp.

Rob - I think the German word you are thinking of is "Wunderbar!"

Robin, I was thinking the same thing. I've ev...

2009-12-02T20:43:56.144-08:00

Robin,

I was thinking the same thing. I've even come back to look at the photo three times. I think it's photoshopped. I've known some women with "man hands" as my Aunt calls them, but her's are extreme.

Reaction: ick personally I don't mind not sha...

2009-12-02T20:24:08.513-08:00

Reaction: ick

personally I don't mind not shaving and don't do it on a regular basis when I do it's for 1 of 2 reasons.

A - I'm going to wearing something sleeveless, shorts or a bathing suit
B - it's annoying me

Hubby doesn't care at all which is a plus and since no one else really knows how much i do or do not shave - I've never really had a problem

Both her arm pit and her hand (especially her fing...

2009-12-02T19:26:26.580-08:00

Both her arm pit and her hand (especially her fingers) look like a man's.

I'm sure that it's because I was brought up to believe that women SHOULD shave everywhere.... but I do think it looks better.

I would love to get the hair on my legs lasered an...

2009-12-02T16:26:54.020-08:00

I would love to get the hair on my legs lasered and my bikini area cleaned up. It feels like a ridiculous splurge, but I'm saving up anyway. Any leads on where to look for good deals? That said, I'll NEVER give up my armpit hair. It makes me feel sexy and naughty.

I think oh looks like my pis and I DO have about t...

2009-12-02T16:24:08.652-08:00

I think oh looks like my pis and I DO have about that much hair.

women can be hairy we're just not used to seeing the variation because we're culturally 'not allowed ' to have any.

http://imagecache5.art.com/p/LRG/12/1286/ZOQT000Z/...

2009-12-02T13:20:44.158-08:00

http://imagecache5.art.com/p/LRG/12/1286/ZOQT000Z/egon-schiele-nu-assis-1910.jpg

Tina Turner!!!!! OMG are you sure that's okay ...

2009-12-02T13:18:09.969-08:00

Tina Turner!!!!! OMG are you sure that's okay to say? I feel bad for laughing.
Here's my childhood association: When I was about ten, I went to MOMA in new york and saw the most gorgeous drawing ever - an Egon Schiele pen and watercolor sketch of a women with one arm raised and curled over her head. It was an extremely sexy picture (if you know Egon Schiele you know what I mean) and I was mesmerized. The woman had compelling eyes, strong, angular lines, an air of sexual danger and challenge... and a small tuft of armpit hair.

Thirty years later I can still see this picture in my head clear as day.

I don't really care about shaven/unshaven legs...

2009-12-02T13:16:37.859-08:00

I don't really care about shaven/unshaven legs. Most people I know have very light leg hair. Even if you didn't shave, it would be pretty unnoticeable. Besides, how come it's okay to have hair on your arms but not on your legs? That's just weird.

But the pits? Yeah, I'm not so into that. To be fair, I don't like armpit hair on men either. I think everyone should shave that!!

Also, is there really a major environmental impact of shaving? Or threading? I've used the same crappy razor for years, and my blades usually last over a year.

You know, back in High School, My German teacher, ...

2009-12-02T10:56:05.247-08:00

You know, back in High School, My German teacher, Die Frau, would were sleveless blouses-and when she asked a question she would raise her arm and out would pop tina turner from under her pits. Gives a impressionable boy trauma. So maybe that's why I think women need to shave the pits- I frrl the need to say something in German when I see a girls hairy pit.

If I could afford it I would get laser on my back ...

2009-12-02T10:49:33.802-08:00

If I could afford it I would get laser on my back hair,Not the chest though. After years of self therapy I have decided I kije my chest hair. Maybe a good waxing on the back??? OUCH

I have to be honest and say that at first I couldn...

2009-12-02T09:35:27.703-08:00

I have to be honest and say that at first I couldn't tell if that photo was a woman or a man. Because I am totally conditioned to believe that hairy armpit = man. Or maybe it's not a real photo and so it doesn't look right to my brain.

I would love to be evolved enough to just accept the hair, but I am not. So I am interested in hearing your lasering experience, when you post it.

I think it's a photo shopped picture-- looks l...

2009-12-02T09:21:27.505-08:00

I think it's a photo shopped picture-- looks like a guys armpit. I knnow women who don't shave and they're not that hairy.