Woman Spends $12K on Laser Hair Removal, Then Learns Inconvenient Truth

For those who choose to remove their body hair, the added step to a beauty routine can be extremely time-consuming and expensive.

Technology has advanced hugely since the invention of the humble razor, and now, there are a multitude of hair removal methods available, including more permanent options like laser hair removal.

While many would love to make the dream of never having to shave, wax, epilate, or tweeze another hair a reality, the hair-free dream is sometimes brought back to reality as contradictions deem not everyone suitable for the treatment.

One of the most common contradictions seen in laser hair removal—and something that your practitioner should be aware of well before your first treatment, is tattoos—a contradiction one TikTok user said, "would've been nice to know before I paid them $12,000."

Lils (@misfitlils) says she "didn't realize they can't do laser hair removal over tattoos" and shared a video of her legs on TikTok. The video shows her incredible smooth results from laser hair removal, with no cause for concern—until you reach the ankles.

The video, which has gained over 39,000 likes and 1.6 million views since being shared on April 22, revealed a patch of hair on the front of her shin, surrounding a tattoo she has at the front of her ankle. She was disappointed by the remaining hair after spending thousands on the beauty treatment.

What Do the Experts Say?

Due to the way lasers seek out dark pigments, any areas with tattoos are definitely a no-go zone for those trying laser hair removal treatments.

"The process [of laser hair removal] involves using beams of laser light at specific wavelengths that are absorbed by the melanin (pigment) in the hair follicles. This absorption generates heat, which damages the hair follicles and inhibits future hair growth," Maria Dinopoulos, clinic director and co-founder of Pulse Laser Aesthetic Clinic in London told Newsweek.

"Just like wearing a dark t-shirt in the sun, the light is absorbed more by darker pigments. Therefore, laser hair removal cannot be performed over tattoos because the pigment in the tattoo ink can absorb the laser energy, leading to adverse effects such as burning, blistering, scarring, or fading of the tattoo. The risk of damage is particularly high with darker ink colors, as they absorb more light energy."

While it isn't a good idea to laser over the tattooed area, your ink shouldn't stop you from accessing the service, as your practitioner should know how to work around the tattoo to remove unwanted hair.

"To protect tattoos during laser hair removal we can 'hide' the tattoo by covering it with a white pencil or tape," Dinopoulos said.

"Additionally, we have a small tip that we can add to the end of our laser machine, to really focus on small areas around the tattoo, to effectively treat the surrounding hair follicles."

For Dinopoulos, the most alarming part of the video isn't the section of hair left behind but the fact that the person who shared it said they weren't informed of the contradiction by their practitioner.

"It's important for individuals considering the treatment to undergo a thorough consultation with a qualified laser technician to assess their suitability for the treatment and address any concerns. Keep in mind, the quality of laser clinics can vary significantly," she said.

For those unsure if they'd be making the right choice, she recommended: "Do your research on the experience of the aestheticians as well as which laser devices the clinics use as not all of them are suitable for all skin types. This will ensure you get optimal results and the utmost safety throughout your treatment experience."

What Do the Comments Say?

The woman in the video isn't the only one left with unwanted patches post-treatment, as one comment read: "Girl I have a small dumb tattoo in my bikini area and I did Brazilian laser hair removal. Drives me crazy."

"Yeah I only found this out after a thigh tattoo and I'm like yeah I'll just stay hairy," another person commented. "Not paying full price for one leg."

Other commenters were baffled by the high cost of the treatment, with one TikTok user declaring that Lils got "scammed" when she paid $12,000.

"It's $300 where I'm from, and that's the expensive package," they wrote.

Request Reprint & Licensing Submit Correction View Editorial Guidelines

About the writer

Lollie is Newsweek's Beauty and Self Care Reporter based in London, U.K. In her role, she covers a range of ... Read more

To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, Click here.