I got one off recommendations on here, and although it’s slowed my growth, I’m 2years on and don’t notice much difference on my legs, but bikini is a lot better. I’m a hairy git though and I’d definitely say it works better on the dark hairs, don’t bother if u have fair (although it’s a lot softer)Pain wise, I can’t say it hurt at all but then I do wax my own legs/bikini, so compared to that it doesn’t hurt! It says to carry on with your usual hair removal method but I’d still say it 100% worked better on shaved areas over waxed ones! I’d probably go professional, the lasers are much more powerful