Laser hair removal (underarm)

I actually had this done last week. We have a dermatology clinic affilated with the day spa I go to that does laser procedures. I had them do my unaffected axilla first. It hurt like heck, like a few rubber band snaps. The entire underarm area took less than 30 seconds. Then they put on hydrocortisone cream. I had used neosporin in the area for a few days beforehand, as they recommended. Within an hour- the redness was gone. I didn't have any trouble after that, so I did my affected axilla, half of which had no hair because the radiation fried it. It may take one or two more treatments. I am playing it by ear. I just want the hair thin enough so I don't have to shave daily. It seems like the only SAFE underarm treatment is hairy, since even an ingrown hair can get infected. Laser is definitely a risk, I wouldn't just jump into it.

I should add that I do not have LE and do not want LE.

I know this is an old post, but I'm responding in case there are any new users who are interested in this topic. I was perplexed by this same issue. I agree it appears nothing is risk-free except letting your hair grow out. But to me, it seems the 2nd best option is laser hair removal if you see a well-trained and respected medical facility for this. My breast surgeon at MD Anderson, as well as my outside plastic surgeon, both said laser removal would be fine under my arms, just not to wax or shave with a razor. My plastic surgeon recommended a particular dermatologist to do the laser hair removal. I am happy to report that it has worked wonderfully. This took away all my stress about this issue. I saw Dr. Paul Friedman's Dermatology & Laser Surgery Center in Houston. It's a technician that does the laser hair removal, but everything is reviewed and approved by a medical physician first (who questioned me extensively, looked over my arm, etc.). After just one session, all I ever saw again was fine stubble. I've had 3 sessions now, and it just gets finer and finer and a smaller and smaller area of fine stubble. Frankly, I wish I had done this years ago and regret that it took cancer, a mastectomy, and lymph node removal for me to bite the bullet on laser hair removal.

Holy crow! Not oneof my medical team told me not to shave my armpits!!! Have I been courting disaster for the last 4.5 years???

I just don't go sleeveless--nobody wants to see my bare upper arms, much less my 'pits.

Bella- they should give you a lidocaine cream to put on before treatment. In lieu of that, Vagisil or Walmart brand Vagicaine cream works well too. I'd say the 1st few treatments hurt even with the lidocaine cream but nothing I couldn't handle. I do think the vagicaine cream works better personally (its 20% benzocaine). There is also a prescription strength numbing cream they can order for you. It's what they order for laser vein treatments. That stuff is the Mack daddy.