NO!NO! Hair Removal System: Review

My search for an at-home hair removal system that actually works started in my teens. Remember Epilady torture? I've tried waxing, creams and home eletrolysis without much succuss. While perusing prices on laser treatments, I discovered the NO!NO! long-term hair removal system. The $250 price tag put me off for a few months, but about a month ago I took the plunge and bought one from Sephora. After seeing laser hair removal prices, I thought it was worth the risk.

Lets talk about how NO!NO! works. The process is called Thermicon and it involves a hot blade and wire that sends heat down the hair shaft into the root. This process basically tells the root to stop growing hair. NO!NO! is not a miraculous cure for instant hair removal. It's a long process that stops hair growth over time, resulting in hair reduction. So if you're looking for a quick fix this method may not be for you. If you can spend a couple hours a week using NO!NO! for a month or more, you can get results. The blades will wear out after awhile, but Sephora has 5 piece replacement blade packs available for $21.

The first time I used my NO!NO!, I put in the hot blade for longer hair, (basically anything longer than stubble), and followed the instructions by applying the NO!NO! in an upward motion against the hair growth on my legs. It was easier than I thought as they have a little light that lets you know whether you're using the machine correctly. If the light flickers, you need to adjust the speed or angle. Try to keep it at that constant speed. I was a bit dissapointed with the long hot blade as I had to go over areas more than once to see results. NO!NO! burns the hair and you will notice a burnt hair smell. The smell seems to be too strong for some people, but I didn't think it was that bad. I've also heard of people burning themselves with the blade, I didn't have a problem with this at all. I would guess that going too slow or holding the blade in one place for too long might cause a burn.

After using the long blade, I used the buffer that came with the NO!NO!. This is a small disk that sands or buffs off the hair that's left. Then I put in the hot blade for short hair and this one seemed a lot more effective than the first blade. I didn't have to repeat areas nearly as much and it reduced the remaining hair to very short stubble that wasn't too visible. But, if I ran my hand over my leg, I could feel them. I used the buffer again and I must say, I love the buffers. They leave my legs super smooth after using the NO!NO! and after shaving. Yes, I still shave my legs. This is a process, not an instant hair removal technique.

I have used my NO!NO! faithfully 2 to 3 times per week for a month and I have seen some pretty good results on the legs and bikini area. I would estimate a 20 to 30 percent reduction of hair growth on the legs which means one step closer to hair free and a lot less ingrown hairs. I have areas that I don't see any hair at all growing back.

What really sold me on NO!NO! was how fast it worked on my lower arms. I used it on my arms everytime I did my legs, and the arm results were dramatic. The regrowth on my arms has slowed to by at least 50% and what does grow back takes a long time. I think the different results for arms and legs is the fact that the hair on my legs is much thicker and coarser. But, if the results on my arms are any indication of how my legs will be after consistantly using it, I'll be keeping my NO!NO!.