OMG! I can't believe that you can lay there for 4 hours and go through this.
I have had laser hair removal done and it is great. It is only a little uncomfortable and doesn't take long at all. I do pay more than you, but mine will be done because the hair root dies after an amount of time and I won't have to do it anymore.
I use an esthetician in my dermatologist's office. That means that I have medical expertise at my disposal, and I don't pay a tip. I love the results I have gotten. And I don't have to "let it grow out" in order for it to be tweezed, or in the case of waxing, waxed. She also uses a frozen wand to put on the skin along with the lasering to make it more comfortable.
I have not had laser done on spider veins, though I do need to. The way it feels to be lasered is kind of what it feels like when you snap a rubber band on your wrist. Not pulling the rubber band back six inches, mind you! But a moderate sting. The ice helps.
The thing I did was shave what I could get to to see what it looked like, and then put on my favorite thong. I wore that the first time and let her see that I wanted NO hair to show when my husband looks at me with my thong on (laying down). Then after taking off the thong, I told her that I would like the "bunny trail" to go away. That is the "term" for all that hair around the perineum and below around the anal area. It is hard to put yourself in the position on that table to allow someone to see you like that, but that's one reason I chose an esthetician in a doctor's office, because they are very professional.
If you DON'T feel the person is professional, don't go back. Find someone else.
As to the time allowed, it took less than an hour to do both my bikini line and my underarms. I was lucky enough to get a BOGO, so my underarms were free. (It was great! I had no interest in doing my underarms, but I am so pleased! The dark shadow that was always there is gone now because the hair roots have disappeared!) I go every 6 to 8 weeks and you should expect to go at least 7 times. I figured out what I wanted after going several times, so I have gone more than the 7 times I mention. (My husband and I decided to do a little more than I originally did. That's why I mentioned trying to shave what you think you might want so that you can figure out what you like.) I also decided to go ahead and have my legs done. The legs are what costs a lot, but it has been so worth it.
My husband and I love the results of my bikini laser treatments. I feel great about it and the 90% removal rate is so worth it to me!
Dawn