At Xanadu Med Spa, people frequently ask us “does laser hair removal hurt?” On a scale similar to waxing or shaving, laser hair removal may cause mild discomfort.
How much pain a treatment causes depends entirely upon your personal tolerance level and sensitivity of the area being treated. There are ways you can mitigate pain during procedures, including applying an anesthetic cream beforehand to numb your skin before commencing with treatment.
What to Expect
Laser hair removal is generally considered safe when performed by a licensed professional, though some areas of your body may experience discomfort during treatment. To reduce pain during your procedure, topical anesthetic may be applied before beginning and some providers also provide numbing gels to ease discomfort during this procedure.
When embarking on laser hair removal on your face, it is recommended that you shave 24 to 48 hours prior to each treatment session and refrain from plucking, waxing and electrolysis treatments which remove hair root. Furthermore, sun exposure increases risk and should be avoided for several weeks prior to laser hair removal appointment as this could make skin more sensitive causing side effects like redness, swelling and itching.
Itching can be expected following laser hair removal treatments and can be reduced with cool compresses applied directly on the affected area. Exfoliation should also be performed, in order to clear away dead skin cells and promote smooth skin. Keep in mind that multiple sessions over several months are often necessary in order to achieve results; laser treatments usually take at least that long!
Some individuals feel that laser hair removal on the face can be more painful, which may be caused by more sensitive follicles in that area of their bodies. Furthermore, pain perception may differ depending on whether or not a client is menstruating; menstruating women may experience higher sensitivity of pain receptors than other clients.
Before commencing a treatment, it is recommended that clients hydrate to help ease any potential discomfort they might feel during the session. It is also advised that caffeine-laden drinks or food be avoided prior to their appointment as they can increase skin sensitivity leading to additional pain.
Preparation
To achieve optimal results with laser hair removal, proper preparation is essential. This means not shaving or plucking unwanted hair in the weeks leading up to treatment; this prevents hair follicles from being damaged and allows laser light to target their pigment instead. Also avoid sun exposure and sun beds in order to maximize effectiveness; apply broad spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30 on treated area for protection.
Your best option for hair removal should be laser treatment; using tweezers, waxing or electrolysis could compromise this effort and disrupt hair follicles that need lasers targeted towards pigmented cells in order to permanently reduce hair growth. You should also avoid taking lightening creams that lighten skin tone as these could hinder its effectiveness and should consult with your physician regarding blood-thinning medications if applicable.
As soon as you arrive for your appointment, ensure the treatment area is free from lotions, oils or deodorant. Your dermatologist will also provide soothing topical cream – don’t forget to wear it!
Laser treatment is generally a quick and painless procedure; however, it may take longer for oily or sweaty skin types. You should avoid hot showers, saunas and working out 24 hours prior to receiving laser therapy treatment.
After treatment, you may experience some redness or swelling; this should subside within hours and resemble mild sunburn symptoms. Avoid scratching the treated skin as this will increase discomfort and lead to scarring or hyperpigmentation; apply cool compresses if needed instead.
Maintaining the results of your treatments is vitally important – some patients will enjoy living hair-free lives for several years while others might require regular sessions to prevent new follicles from activating after successful treatment. To achieve optimal results, schedule appointments every 4-6 weeks; keep in mind that even after successful hair follicle removal treatments have taken effect, the body can still activate new ones at times; therefore periodic re-treatments are often necessary.
Treatment
Before using the laser, a trained practitioner will apply a cooling device to your skin in order to protect it from its high heat output and avoid burning or damaging the tissue. You may experience pinches or an elastic band snapping against it during treatment; this is normal depending on your pain threshold – some people experience much greater discomfort while others don’t feel any at all.
Certain areas of the face, like the chin, are more delicate than others like armpit or abdomen due to finer and thinner body hair that is typically less dense, making it easier for laser treatments to target and eliminate hair follicles.
If you’re considering laser hair removal, it is vitally important to do your research thoroughly on clinics and practitioners. Clinics known for high-quality work often make the best choice; look for licensed practitioners listed on a register that shows they have met set standards of training, skill and insurance coverage; avoid low-priced clinics as these may use cheaper machines with untrained staff.
After treatment sessions, your skin may become red and slightly itchy; to alleviate this discomfort use a cold compress or take a cool shower. Some individuals also report experiencing crusting around treated areas which can be prevented by moisturizing regularly.
Laser treatments may not be effective on hair that has dark or light pigment, as well as grey or white hues, due to heat from laser beams that damage these follicles and cause discolouration or scarring from dislocation or heat damage. Furthermore, it should not be recommended for those who have had previous skin conditions like psoriasis or sunburn as these could worsen any results of treatment.
Though results vary, most people find that after multiple laser hair removal sessions they experience significantly less hair growth in their treated areas – and may even experience years without hair at all! Unfortunately, though, hair will eventually return – it might even come back differently colored or in texture than before!
Aftercare
After laser hair removal sessions, individuals typically experience red or itchy skin that should clear up within several hours; some people also may experience mild swelling; this side effect can usually be reduced with aloe vera gel/lotion and applying an ice pack directly over the affected area; additionally, over-the-counter pain medication can help ease any pain experienced from treatment.
Before shaving or waxing an area that has been treated, one should allow redness, swelling and itching to subside before using a gentle razor to shave it with. This helps prevent ingrown hairs as well as any skin irritation from too close of shaving nearer to the surface of the skin.
Exfoliating regularly is key for healthy skin. However, after receiving laser hair removal treatments it is wise to wait 24 hours after exfoliation to exfoliate treated areas as this could cause irritation. Furthermore, harsh scrubs or excessively abrasive facial cleansers should also be avoided, along with prolonged sun exposure without sunscreen use or fake tanning treatments which may interfere with results of laser hair removal treatments.
Laser hair removal can be performed safely when performed by an experienced and licensed practitioner, but those not qualified could cause burns and blisters on your skin. Therefore, it’s important to inspect their license or register and ensure they have received adequate training and education for performing this procedure.
Laser hair removal may seem more expensive than shaving or tweezing initially, but in the long run it can save money as it replaces shaving creams and razors with waxing kits and other hair-removal solutions that would otherwise need to be purchased separately. Furthermore, it can make people more confident when going out without worrying about unwanted stubble on the face. Many who undergo laser hair removal actually end up saving considerable amounts over time thanks to having more confidence without worrying about stubble on their faces! In fact, many who choose laser hair removal actually end up saving even more money over time when considering all that has been spent on shaving creams/razors/waxing kits/other hair-removal products in terms of total cost savings!
