My hair growth is definately hormonally driven and I have very dark hair and pale skin. Before I had the laser treatment i'd been plucking every other day for a couple of years and prior to that i'd tried electrolysis. When they told me i'd have to switch to shaving when having the laser treatment I was initially very worried about getting stubble and razor burn but was very pleasantly surprised at the good result I got just by shaving (and saved myself an hour a day too that I used to spend plucking!!).
I don't want to put anyone off trying the laser, i'm sure others have got better results than me!