Laser Hair Removal Left Influencer Covered in Burns. So She Turned to More Permanent — but ‘Painful’ — Solution (Exclusive)

After nearly a decade chasing the promise of smooth, hair-free skin through laser hair removal, one influencer found herself burned – literally and figuratively. 

Despite spending over $20,000 on clinics from Texas to the United Kingdom, the results were inconsistent, and the side effects were severe. 

Disillusioned, she turned to electrolysis, a slower but more precise method, and has since invested another $6,000 in treating the areas that matter most to her, like the face. 

“My mistake was rushing to remove an insecurity and trusting marketing blindly because it spoke directly to that insecurity,” Bay, who asked for her last name to be omitted, tells PEOPLE exclusively. 

The London-based influencer began her laser hair removal journey back in 2015, but says she never had “issues” until she signed up for a package with LaserAway in 2019. 

“They suggested I treat my face because of some peach fuzz that bothered me,” Bay explains. “Every session was with a different technician. They treated random areas of my face, neck, even my nose and forehead – no real consistency or plan.”

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After completing her sessions at the well-known chain, she started to notice coarser hair growing in places she’d never had before, including her chin and neck.

“I did get my hormones tested and confirmed I don’t have PCOS,” Bay reveals. “I initially assumed the hair growth was genetic or hormonal, but was confirmed it was paradoxical hair growth.” 

PEOPLE reached out to LaserAway by phone and email over the course of two weeks, but did not receive a response.

As a result, post-COVID, Bay decided to try another aesthetics brand, Ideal Image. She signed up for a 10-area treatment package which covered areas like her legs, bikini line, underarms and more. 

“It felt like a deal I couldn’t pass up. I was so insecure about my body hair, I thought this would finally be my fix,” Bay reveals. Unfortunately, this time, she says she ended up in burns. 

“At first it just looked like dry, ashy patches, mostly around my bikini line and lower back. They told me it was normal. Over time, the pain became unbearable, especially during PMS,” Bay explains.

“I’d cry before appointments and wear loose dresses because pants were too painful afterward. Each session was 90 minutes, and I’d drive home sitting on an ice pack.”

The experience left her disheartened. “I trusted my technician, she was kind and I didn’t want to get her in trouble,” she admits. “But eventually, I was badly burned on my arms, and the marks were instant and severe.”

At the end of her sessions, Bay was allegedly sent home with a “Ziploc bag” of steroid creams. Her family and friends ultimately encouraged her to speak up about her injuries. “I tried to get compensation, but Ideal Image refused and was incredibly difficult to talk to,” she tells PEOPLE.

Bay’s darkening around the bikini area still hasn’t fully resolved, but the discoloration on her arms has faded to be almost unnoticeable. “It took years and lots of effort on my part with scar removal creams,” she says. After numerous calls and emails with the brand, Bay gave up on pursuing answers. 

PEOPLE reached out to Ideal Image for comment. The company said it would not comment on individual clients’ experiences. 

Realizing that her legs, underarms and bikini line were the only areas that responded well to laser treatments, she continues to treat those parts of her body. However, Bay has become increasingly more cautious. 

“I stopped treating areas where the hair got worse, and I’ve explored alternatives for those instead,” she explains. “Like bleaching or just accepting certain hair in certain areas.”

One method that has worked especially well for her is electrolysis — an FDA-approved hair removal method that destroys hair follicles by using an electric current.

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Despite the steep price and considerable discomfort, she is happy with the outcome and has been going consistently for over 18 months.

“Electrolysis is definitely painful, but manageable. The mustache area hurts the most, you feel each individual pore,” she explains. “The hair is thinning and growing in lighter now. My sideburns responded the best so far, and I’m sticking with it.”

Although laser hair removal used to give her results within four treatments, electrolysis is a more permanent solution. “I’m still trusting the process. It’s slower, but I see progress,” Bay admits. 

Hair removal can be a long, expensive, and emotionally draining process – but for some, it’s worth it. “You have to make time in your life for it and have the expenses to match,” she says. 

When it comes to advice, she warns others not to rush into treatments out of insecurity and to really take the time to figure out what your body needs and how it could respond. 

“Take your time, learn your body, and don’t rush into treatments just because you’re feeling insecure,” Bay says. “Go slow, stay informed, and never forget your value runs so much deeper than your appearance.”