CONTRIBUTED BY SANDY VAN NIEUWENHUYZEN
I recently began a self-improvement procedure effort to kick off 2011 right. I was very pleased with the salon I found! I wanted to share so you can enjoy a great service during your time on Okinawa. It is a salon called Me Love on Rt 23 east of Cocoks. They use IPL (Intense pulsed light) which is a form of hair removal.
I previously had laser hair removal in the States and it was painful and very expensive. For 1/4th the cost I am having IPL hair removal at Me Love. At this point I have had 2 treatments under my arms. It has been three weeks since my last treatment and the skin still feels hairless.
I paid 3,000 yen for 4 treatments using a special they ran when the salon opened in October. I am pretty sure after 4 sessions, I will not have to shave under my arms again. Very VERY worth it!
Hours: Me Love salon is open Monday through Saturday 10 am to 7 pm.
Payment: They accept yen, as well as Visa, MasterCard and American Express.
Phone: Reservations may be made at (098) 926-5523.
Directions: Take a left out of Kadena Gate 1 onto 58 south. Turn left onto 23. A block after the Starbucks you will see United Christian Center on your left. ME LOVE is located on that same block. It is on the first floor of a 3-story beige and white building.
Thanks for the information! Do you happen to have a price list and other services that they offer? Is it only hair removal, if so, all hair? Thank you again!
Do you know how long you have to wait in between sessions? We’re coming back just to do our TMO, about 2 wks, and I was wondering about the treatment. Thanks!!!
I just had my first session at Me Love, I’m so glad I decided to start early because I want to have a lot done and that will take a lot of time. I was told for the first session that I must wait 2 months before the next. However the instructions they make you read ask if you’ve had a treatment in the last 21 days. So I’m guessing you can shorten the time a little. I asked if I could get a treatment on a different area of the body sooner but was told no, one treatment regardless of area. Shoko-san was very nice, I enjoyed talking with her during the treatment.
I worked at a day spa back in the States and we would schedule our clients for treatments for every 4 weeks for the face areas and 6 weeks for everywhere else. But a lot of people are different b/c our body chemistries are different and any medications will affect how our hair grows, so we worked with them and their hair growth cycle.
Normally a “treatment set” should take about 6 sessions and then you’ll go in about twice a year for ‘touch-ups’. For men, it’s a few more sessions since they typically have more hair than women.
I hope my input offers a bit of insight for y’all in the world of laser hair removal!
Great to know! Thanks for sharing.
I’m also curious if they have a price list.
Yeah great place and service!
I’m dark skinned, have sensitive skin and hate unsightly hair! However, after much reasearch found Me Love to be absolutely terrific!
I am about to undergo my 4th Underarm treatment and my current hair growth is almost non-existent!
The initial wait period between sessions is 21 days, however, as your treatment/s continue, your hair grows finer and the wait period is longer.
Prices can be found on their website: http://www.melove.jp however they always have great monthly specials which can be found in Okinawa Living.
Thanks for the feedback… I can’t wait to go there!!
http://www.melove.jp/price/index.html
Here is the link to the price list and all they offer. Enjoy!
Shoko-san is wonderful – she is accomodating, speaks great english and is most professional. The service doesn’t take long at all…a few minutes (underarm) to 30min at most(other areas). Pain is almost non-existant; the most uncomfortable part of the whole experience is the cold pack used to prep the skin prior to the actual pulse of laser. I’ve never looked into IPL in the states, but I’m told it’s far more expensive. Give it a try – you won’t be disappointed; I’m on my third visit and am thrilled with the results!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting this! I have been wanting to know about IPL on Okinawa for the longest time & I would certainly be too big of a chicken to go and try it out for myself. Does anyone know anything about any other stores or locations? Does it usually only require 4 sessions? Has anyone else had it done in ‘other’ areas that wouldn’t mind sharing? I would love any information that you could provide about the process…. I have extremely thick hair with an olive complexion.
Thanks in advance,
signed – the big chicken!!
Oh gosh, their web site needs a FAQ page. I have so many… first of which: Do you have to let your hair grow out before a treatment or can you go in freshly shaved?
Shoko-San is amazing!! Call and make an appointment and she will give you all the details – When to shave/when not to shave. It’s usually shave 1-2 days before the appointment. I was told 8-12 sessions to be completely hairless (underarms, upper lip & bikini). Although, the underarms and upper lip are quicker, the entire bikini area is what takes more sessions. She said 1 to 1 1/2 years to have all the hair completely gone (since you have to wait longer between sessions as the hair growth slows down). I’m doing the “other” area and it’s not awkward at all. She makes you feel very comfortable. She alternates between ice packs and the laser – hardly any pain at all!
I would be happy to answer your questions. My e-mail address is sandyvan33@hotmail.com. As I mentioned in the article, I have been to places in the states and here. I want to make sure I complete all my hair removal before I leave Okinawa. Me Love is the only place I would go. She has different specials every month. Her specials are very good deals. Feel free to e-mail me your “other” questions.
Shoko-San is fabulous. I was referred to her by a neighbor who used her while she was working under another company. She was very satisfied with her results and was very eager to spread the word as to her grand opening. I’m olive skin, with thick hair, and was afraid. The pain was minimal. Shoko-san made me feel very comfortable. My husband is just as satisfied with my results. I am only on my third treatment for underarms and second on my hollywood bikini and truly couldn’t be happier. For the first time I can’t wait to put on a bathing suit. Besides her great specials you can save more by referring a friend.
I am guessing that I can’t post pics here, but I posted the March specials and a photo of the map on my blog (www.takeyouinmybackpack.com). They have some great deals going on right now. I just started treatments yesterday and it’s virtually painless (even when she uses the stronger of the two machines). Shoko-San is amazing, her English is great! HIGHLY recommend!
Okay…. so I see that the Hollywood Bikini is on special, but I am not quite sure what a Hollywood Bikini is. What is the difference between that and a Brazilian?
Shoko-San explained the differences to me as I had the same question! Hollywood leaves either a strip or a small triangle and removes the rest. Brazilian removes it all.
Hope that helps!
I love this place…Shoko-san, is my all time favorite person. I love her and her services. I have been going to her for over a year. If you are uncertain about her products and services rest assure because she will treat you well and very honest! That’s why I have followed her from CREA. This place is a ‘ROCK STAR!”
I just booked my first appointment here. I wanted to add that although they take credit cards there is a 5% charge to use them. Also, I was told that the wait between treatments was two months and that each session would be one hour (I’m having lower legs done). Also in case you were wondering about how booked up their schedule is there were 2 or three appointments available for the next two weeks, I had to book 2 weeks out to get a time that worked for me, not bad. I’m very excited to get started!
I just booked a bunch of stuff on their anniversary special for this Saturday. Nervous but excited – for the same price on one part for just one session in the states you can get multiple parts and sessions here. What a deal! Can’t wait to write a review, hopefully everything goes well. :]
I just love going to see Shoko san. I’ve been going there since the salon first opened over a year ago. She is very professional and makes me feel very comfortable. I had thick coarse hairs on my legs and after only 4 sessions, I don’t have to shave anymore, YEAH!!!! My under arms are taking a little longer, I used to shave on a daily basis, now I only shave once a month
For the first time ever, I didn’t have to worry when putting on a bathing suit this summer.
Shoko is wonderful and will tell you all about it in honesty! I also started using IPL from Crea and followed Shoko to her own salon.
I am still getting my hair removed from underarms, and Brazilian bikini. Shoko is very professional and I always feel so okay and never uncomfortable with bikini area treatments!
I dont have much hair anymore, and have to wait longer now for me to shave the little grown hair. This is the best alternative I have found for me after waxing. WHy should I pay so much every time to wax, where I can pay the same or even less to have it removed for the rest of my life? Yes! I do choose IPL and say no to unwanted hair!
Five Stars to MeLove and Shoko!
I love Shoko! She’s completely honest and offers incredible prices and flexible scheduling. Although she doesn’t advertise it and when I ask she said it wouldn’t help, the IPL treatments I’ve been getting for hair removal are also helping to alleviate some serious stretch mark/c-section scar damage around my tummy and bikini area. Love love love Me Love. Highly recommend her to anyone who’s lucky enough to be on the island for her IPL treatments. Considerably cheaper than what’s offered in the states and amazing quality service. So glad I’m doing this before we PCS back.