I've spent 20 years removing hair on an almost daily basis and I'd say it's pretty much ruled my life: I have dark hair growing pretty much all over - my stomach, chin, arms and legs. The clothes I wear have always had to hide my arms etc and it used to make me really shy. things improved when I bought an epilator a few years ago but even with that I found I was having to do almost daily maintenance. I can honestly say the IPL has changed everything for me. I thought it was going to be another disappointment but after just three sessions the hair on my arms has 99% vanished and shows no signs of growing back after 2 weeks. Even more impressive was the effect on the facial hair. just one treatment completely got rid of all the hair on my chin (with the exception of about two hairs which vanished after the second treatment). These still haven't come back after a month. I've used it to neaten up my bikini line and again this took approx 2-3 sessions with minimal regrowth. I've only treated my legs once so far and haven't had time to see how much effect this has had yet but I'm expecting good things. I think it's worked particularly well for me because my hair is very thick and black so absorbs a lot of the light. I'm a medium skin tone on the chart (olive skinned) and so far haven't had any adverse effects. I don't find it all that painful even on sensitive areas. It's certainly less painful than epilation or waxing. I'm absolutely delighted and I have no idea how I managed before. I know results vary between people but based on my own experience I can't recommend it highly enough.