Sandy Esprit

If you’ve ever felt embarrassed about body hair, trust me, you’re not alone.

I’ve dealt with body hair for as long as I can remember. Long before beauty influencers were talking openly about it, I was just a little girl trying to figure out how to feel confident in my own skin.

I was only 11 years old when I first used hair removal cream on my underarms. By the time I turned 12, I had already started shaving because I was incredibly self conscious about my body hair. Looking back, it’s sad that something so natural made me feel so uncomfortable, but I know many women, especially Black women, can relate.

Body hair is completely normal, but growing up, it rarely felt that way. Magazine covers, television commercials, and even conversations with friends often made smooth, hair-free skin seem like the beauty standard. I don’t remember hearing many conversations about embracing body hair or simply having options. Instead, it felt like body hair was something that needed to disappear as quickly as possible.

As a young Black girl, there was another layer to that experience. My body hair was darker and more noticeable, which made me feel even more self conscious. I worried about lifting my arms during gym class, wearing swimsuits in the summer, or even changing in front of other girls. Those little moments may seem insignificant now, but at the time, they shaped how I felt about myself.

Over time, I realized I wasn’t alone. So many women quietly struggle with body hair, ingrown hairs, razor bumps, hyperpigmentation, and the endless cycle of removing hair just to watch it grow back again.

Every Hair Removal Method I’ve Tried

My hair removal journey has included:

• Shaving
• Hair removal creams
• Waxing
• Epilators
• And now, at home laser hair removal

Every method had its pros and cons, and none of them felt like the perfect solution.

View this post on Instagram

Shaving

Shaving is probably the most common hair removal method because it’s quick, inexpensive, and easy to do at home.

I shaved for years because it fit my budget and only took a few minutes.

The downside?

I often dealt with razor bumps, ingrown hairs, and having to shave every few days. My underarms were especially frustrating because repeated shaving contributed to darker underarms over time from constant irritation.

There were weeks when I felt like I had just shaved, only to notice stubble returning within a day or two. That constant maintenance became exhausting.

Hair Removal Creams

Hair removal creams were my introduction to hair removal.

They worked fairly well, but the smell wasn’t exactly pleasant, and I always had to be careful because my skin could become irritated if I left the cream on for too long.

Looking back, I’m amazed that I was navigating these products at such a young age. I was simply trying to feel comfortable in my own skin.

Waxing

Waxing gave me smoother skin for much longer than shaving.

However, it was painful, expensive to maintain regularly, and I still occasionally experienced ingrown hairs afterward.

Scheduling appointments, waiting for hair to grow long enough to wax again, and budgeting for repeat visits made it difficult to stick with consistently.

Epilators

I love that epilators remove hair from the root, giving longer-lasting results than shaving.

But I’ll be honest.

They hurt.

Especially during the first few uses.

Once I got used to it, the discomfort became more manageable, but it’s definitely not the most relaxing part of my beauty routine.

The Emotional Side of Body Hair

One thing people don’t always talk about is the emotional impact body hair can have.

For me, it wasn’t really about the hair itself.

It was about confidence.

It was wondering whether someone would notice my underarms.

It was worrying about razor bumps showing through a sleeveless dress.

It was feeling like I always had to plan ahead before going on vacation or wearing certain outfits.

As I’ve gotten older, my relationship with body hair has changed. I no longer believe that anyone has to remove their body hair. Whether you shave, wax, use laser hair removal, or embrace your natural hair growth is completely your choice.

For me, hair removal is no longer about trying to meet someone else’s beauty standards.

It’s about convenience.

It’s about feeling comfortable.

It’s about spending less time thinking about hair removal altogether.

Why Ingrown Hairs Were My Biggest Frustration

If you’ve ever experienced an ingrown hair, you know they can be incredibly frustrating.

For me, they often showed up after shaving, especially around my underarms.

Not only could they be uncomfortable, but they sometimes left behind dark marks that took much longer to fade than the actual bump itself.

As someone with melanin-rich skin, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can last for months.

That meant even after the irritation disappeared, I was still dealing with visible discoloration.

This became one of my biggest reasons for exploring longer-term hair reduction options.

When I First Learned About Laser Hair Removal

About 15 years ago, I first heard about laser hair removal.

I was excited because it sounded like the answer to all of my problems.

Unfortunately, I was told something that completely discouraged me.

At the time, many laser devices weren’t considered safe or effective for darker skin tones because they struggled to distinguish between melanin in the skin and melanin in the hair. That meant a higher risk of burns, discoloration, and poor results for people with deeper complexions.

As a Black woman, I simply accepted that laser hair removal wasn’t an option for me.

Five Years Ago, I Wanted Laser Hair Removal More Than Ever

Around five years ago, I seriously looked into getting professional laser hair removal.

By then, I was becoming increasingly frustrated with:

• Dark underarms
• Constant shaving
• Painful ingrown hairs
• Never feeling completely done with hair removal

The biggest obstacle wasn’t even whether I wanted it.

It was the price.

Professional laser treatments require multiple appointments and can easily cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars depending on the treatment area.

As much as I wanted it, I knew it simply wasn’t realistic for my budget.

Like many families, I had to prioritize where my money went. Spending thousands of dollars on cosmetic treatments simply wasn’t possible.

Discovering DermRays

Fast forward to today.

Technology has come a long way, and now there are at home laser hair removal devices designed with more skin tones in mind.

That’s what led me to DermRays.

As someone with melanin-rich skin, I spent a lot of time researching before deciding to try it. Knowing that it was designed to be suitable for darker skin tones gave me much more confidence about finally starting laser hair removal at home.

I chose the DermRays V6, and I’ve officially started my treatments.

While I’m not ready to give my final results just yet, my first impressions have been really positive.

My First Impressions of the DermRays V6

So far, here’s what I love.

• It’s incredibly lightweight.
• It’s very easy to learn.
• The controls are straightforward.
• It has three treatment settings.
• Treatments only take a few minutes depending on the area.
• My skin didn’t feel irritated or overly sensitive afterward.

The device is recommended for areas such as:

• Legs
• Arms
• Underarms

One thing I’ve learned is that I personally prefer using it at night.

That way, I don’t have to immediately apply deodorant or antiperspirant to freshly treated underarms, giving my skin time to recover overnight.

I’ve also found that using it at night fits naturally into my routine. I can shave, complete my treatment, moisturize if needed, and head to bed without worrying about sweat, friction, or applying products immediately afterward.

How At Home Laser Hair Removal Works

One of the things I wanted to understand before starting was how these devices actually work.

Laser and IPL devices target the pigment in the hair follicle. The light energy travels down the hair shaft to reduce future hair growth over time.

Because hair grows in different cycles, not every hair can be treated successfully during a single session. That’s why consistency is so important. Multiple treatments help target hairs as they enter the active growth phase.

This is also why patience matters. Hair reduction happens gradually rather than overnight.

My Planned Treatment Schedule

Consistency is the biggest factor with IPL and laser hair removal devices.

Here’s the schedule I’m following:

Weeks 1 through 2

Two treatments each week.

Weeks 3 through 6

Continue treatments as directed while monitoring hair regrowth and skin response.

After six weeks, I’ll be sharing a complete review with before-and-after updates, how much regrowth I’ve experienced, and whether I think it’s worth the investment.

Tips for the Best Results

After researching and starting my own treatments, here are a few things I’d recommend:

• Shave before each treatment rather than waxing or epilating, since the hair root needs to remain intact for light-based treatments to work effectively.
• Start with the lowest comfortable setting if you’re new to the device.
• Be consistent with your treatment schedule.
• Avoid treating freshly sunburned or irritated skin.
• Use it in the evening whenever possible.
• Moisturize your skin afterward if needed.
• Remember that visible results take time. Hair grows in cycles, so patience and consistency matter.

Pros and Cons of the DermRays V6

Pros

• Suitable for melanin-rich skin
• Lightweight and comfortable to hold
• Easy for beginners
• Three energy settings
• Can save money compared to professional laser treatments over time
• Convenient to use from home
• No noticeable irritation during my treatments so far

Cons

• Results are not immediate
• Requires consistency for several weeks
• Not every hair responds at the same speed
• Upfront cost is still higher than buying a razor, although significantly less than many professional treatment packages

Frequently Asked Questions

Is at home laser hair removal permanent?

Most devices are designed for long-term hair reduction rather than permanent hair removal. Periodic maintenance sessions are usually recommended.

Can Black women use at home laser hair removal?

Many newer devices are designed with a wider range of skin tones in mind. It’s always important to read the manufacturer’s guidance and follow the recommended skin tone chart before beginning treatments.

Does it hurt?

Everyone’s pain tolerance is different, but my experience so far has been very comfortable. I haven’t experienced irritation or lingering discomfort after treatments.

My Honest Thoughts So Far

Body hair has been part of my story for most of my life.

For years I felt embarrassed by it.

I dealt with razor burn, ingrown hairs, dark underarms, and the constant cycle of shaving.

Today, I feel excited because I finally have the opportunity to try something that once felt completely out of reach.

I’m still early in my DermRays journey, so I can’t speak to my final results yet. But I can say that I’ve genuinely enjoyed how simple the process has been, and I’m looking forward to seeing what the next six weeks bring.

If you’ve been curious about at home laser hair removal, especially if you have melanin-rich skin, I’ll be documenting my entire experience so you can see the real results before deciding if it’s right for you.

I’ll also be sharing weekly updates on my social media so you can follow along with my progress, see any changes in hair growth, and get my completely honest thoughts as I continue using it.

Save on DermRays

If you’re interested in starting your own journey, you can use my exclusive link and discount code to save $150.

Exclusive Link: https://go.dermrays.com/4gz05bK

Discount Code: SANDY150

I’ll be updating this post with my six-week results, including before-and-after photos, what areas responded the fastest, whether I noticed fewer ingrown hairs, and whether I think the DermRays V6 is worth the investment for people with melanin-rich skin. Stay tuned!