Laser hair removal is not completely permanent. It is common for SOME of your hair to grow back, but it grows back finer and more slowly than before. I have friends who are hair free all year with two touch ups. No shaving, no waxing, no depilatories all year, and they go for 1 touch up treatment every 6 months. If you want completely permanent, you have to go with an electrolysis treatment, and that goes follicle by follicle, and is much more expensive, so it just isn't an option for large areas of hair.

You have to decide if it is worth it to you. I have dark, thick hair and I spend over $100 a month on waxing my bikini and armpits. I have 1 week a month where I can't wear a swimsuit without covering up because I have to let my 'side burns' grow in enough to wax. I'm in the pool at least 3 times a week year round, and it definitely affects my bike rides if I have stubble or ingrowns. Not to mention how self concious I feel in the shorty shorts I wear when I'm running. I wear sleeveless tops a lot. I get razor burn from shaving those areas. I decided that the initial cost + yearly maintenance is more than worth it for me, and judging from how long I go between treatments right now, I may not need 2x yearly touch ups.

I get my laser treatments through Livingsocial.com. It is one of many discount coupon websites with BIG discounts on things like spa treatments. I've been getting no less than 50% off on things like the laser treatment, facials and massages. It definitely makes the laser thing affordable. Try groupon.com as well.

Hope that helps!