One London-based influencer is opening up about the possible — and painful — downside to laser hair removal.

Internet personality Bay, who shares content on Tiktok under the name @baywhittaker, told People on Saturday, June 14, that she spent $20,000 at multiple hair removal clinics in both the U.S. and abroad in an effort to achieve a smooth, hair-free look. Recently, she turned to electrolysis to get the results she wanted, especially on her face.

Unfortunately, that process resulted in serious burns. “My mistake was rushing to remove an insecurity and trusting marketing blindly because it spoke directly to that insecurity,” she told the outlet.

She signed up for services with LaserAway in 2019, which ultimately cost her another $6,000. “They suggested I treat my face because of some peach fuzz that bothered me. Every session was with a different technician. They treated random areas of my face, neck, even my nose and forehead – no real consistency or plan.”

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However, she soon realized she had new, coarser hair growing in. “I did get my hormones tested and confirmed I don’t have PCOS. I initially assumed the hair growth was genetic or hormonal, but was confirmed it was paradoxical hair growth,” Bay said.

Representatives for LaserAway have not responded to Us Weekly’s request for comment.

Bay originally signed up for a 10-area treatment plan from the company, she also said. “It felt like a deal I couldn’t pass up. I was so insecure about my body hair, I thought this would finally be my fix,” she explained. Instead, she ended up with “painful” burns.

“At first it just looked like dry, ashy patches, mostly around my bikini line and lower back. They told me it was normal. Over time, the pain became unbearable, especially during PMS,” Bay also said. “I’d cry before appointments and wear loose dresses because pants were too painful afterward. Each session was 90 minutes, and I’d drive home sitting on an ice pack.”

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She added that she didn’t speak up about the side effects at first. “I trusted my technician, she was kind and I didn’t want to get her in trouble. But eventually, I was badly burned on my arms, and the marks were instant and severe,” Bay lamented.

Her friends and family told her to speak out about what happened. Recovery from the burns took a long time, she added. “It took years and lots of effort on my part with scar removal cream.”

Ultimately, Bay is treating the areas that can tolerate it, and accepting the areas that cannot. “I stopped treating areas where the hair got worse, and I’ve explored alternatives for those instead,” she said. “Like bleaching or just accepting certain hair in certain areas.”