Laser hair removal can provide long-term and effective alternatives to shaving, hot waxing or bleaching; however, many people mistakenly believe that it will be painful.
Laser hair removal uses concentrated beams of light to kill or delay the growth of unwanted hair, typically with less discomfort in areas with thick skin like arms and stomach, while the face and bikini area can be more delicate.
The Face
Laser hair removal is one of the most permanent solutions for unwanted facial or body hair, eliminating the need for shaving, waxing and plucking. Furthermore, it may also help with issues associated with hair growth such as folliculitis and discoloration. Unfortunately, though it can be costly upfront and requires multiple sessions spread out over four to six weeks for results to become visible.
Face laser hair removal sessions tend to be the least painful experience; however, thin areas like the upper lip may experience more discomfort. To minimize pain on your face during sessions, stay hydrated, take over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or Tylenol as prescribed, and use numbing cream before your session.
Arm hair can also be more sensitive and embarrassing in summer. Numbing cream pre-treatment, avoiding scratching your arms during treatment and wearing loose-fitting clothing are all effective strategies for mitigating any discomfort during laser hair removal treatments on arms.
Dr. Pierre suggests avoiding shaving or plucking the arm area several days prior to an appointment and taking steps to eliminate all signs of fake tanning, as well as using skin lighteners that contain sunless ingredients and sunbeds, which could potentially disrupt hair follicles and produce patchy results.
The Arms
Arm hair often causes significant self-consciousness for its owners, so laser treatment of arms is a popular solution to unwanted body hair. Since arm skin tends to be thicker than most areas of the body, pain levels associated with laser removal tend to be minimal; many people describe it as feeling like rubber bands snapping against their skin while some do not require numbing cream for this area.
Noom advises staying hydrated and taking an over-the-counter pain reliever before your appointment if necessary. For sensitive skin types, numbing creams or gels may also help. Furthermore, direct sun exposure for at least a week prior to getting treated should also be avoided in order to minimize temporary pigmentation changes that might arise as a result.
Be sure to shave before your appointment as this allows the laser to better visualize hair follicles. If you need assistance in shaving your armpits properly, seek advice from a professional before getting your first laser treatment. Furthermore, waxing the area may cause ingrown hairs, so threading or waxing could be better options; conversely you may consult with your dermatologist regarding safest and most effective options suited to your particular case.
The Bikini Line
If you’re tired of shaving, waxing and tweezing to get rid of unwanted hair, laser hair removal could be the perfect solution for you. These devices have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to effectively and comfortably remove hair through light pulses that destroy hair follicles to stop future hair growth.
Thick skin in the armpits and bikini line helps soften the blow when getting laser treatments on it, so patients have reported comparing the pain level to that of a rubber band snapping against their skin – often no numbing cream is even necessary!
Don’t let less painful hair removal put off reaching your goal skin! Laser hair removal usually requires six sessions to permanently eliminate unwanted hair; one in six of your follicles are in growth phase at any given time and therefore only those hairs can be targeted by laser light.
For optimal results, it is wise to forgo shaving the area for at least a month prior to your appointment and to refrain from tanning beds and intense sun exposure, such as tanning beds. Exposing skin cells to UV radiation could cause burns and hyperpigmentation that interfere with laser treatment results. It is also important to inform your practitioner if you have herpes infection as this could interfere with treatment results.
The Back
Laser hair removal on the back tends to be one of the least painful areas due to thicker skin. However, some individuals find their back more sensitive than others during treatment; depending on your pain threshold you may need a numbing cream before your appointment.
Arms and underarms can be some of the most sensitive areas to undergo laser hair removal because their thin skin feels like needle-thick needles; yet most patients choose to complete their entire series of treatments.
Your legs may experience more discomfort during a laser hair removal session due to being covered in layers of fat and muscle that make it more difficult for the laser beam to reach the root of the hair follicles. Depending on your pain tolerance, you can reduce discomfort by using numbing cream prior to an appointment and refraining from scratching afterward.
Laser hair removal can be an excellent way to permanently get rid of unwanted hair, but before beginning it’s essential to attend a consultation first. This allows your practitioner to assess your skin type, determine if you are eligible for the procedure, and provide instructions on preparation and aftercare. Be sure to inform them about any medications such as over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol that you might be taking or any health conditions you have that could potentially interfere with results.
The Legs
Laser hair removal is far less painful than other methods for eliminating unwanted hair, such as shaving, waxing and plucking. You may feel some discomfort during treatment sessions but many are surprised at how little actual pain there is involved.
Laser hair removal on legs tends to be less painful due to their thick skin thickness – unlike arms or bikini lines which typically feature thinner layers. When considering laser hair removal for legs, make sure that you prepare properly by shaving prior to and wearing loose clothing for this procedure.
Numbing cream may help to alleviate pain during your treatment; however, keep in mind that its use could extend the length of your session.
At each session of laser hair removal, you will be exposed to pulses of very hot laser beams that will target and destroy hair follicles – giving rise to an unpleasant tingle similar to having elastic band snapped against your skin.
For maximum pain-free laser hair removal treatment, it is wise to seek clinics using top of the range machines. While more costly than cheaper versions available online, these high-end models deliver much better results and are significantly safer than their cheaper alternatives. It is also advised to stay clear from skincare treatments like Nair for one or two months prior to getting laser hair removal done.
The Stomach
Laser hair removal uses highly concentrated beams of light to destroy unwanted follicles and inhibit future hair growth, with results lasting anywhere between one month to several years. While the procedure can be uncomfortable for some individuals depending on your area being treated and skin type, most commonly clients seek laser hair removal treatment for face (chin/upper lip/cheek/brow) arms bikini area (including Brazilian option) legs as clients’ areas.
Comparative to other parts of your body, laser hair removal on the stomach tends to hurt less during treatment due to thicker skin that’s less sensitive to pain. Still, however, the process requires plenty of concentration as Dr. Nicolas likens it to getting snapped by a rubber band.
Clients can reduce pain during laser hair removal by applying a numbing cream directly onto the affected area before beginning. Experts also advise avoiding scrubs, chemical peels, retinol creams and sunbeds prior and post laser hair removal for best results. It is also wise to wait two or three weeks after laser hair removal before getting a fake tan or going swimming, since UV rays from sunlight may cause burns and hyperpigmentation which requires protecting yourself with clothing such as wearing a hat for protection in case this occurs during those first couple weeks post treatment – for best results wear hat or cover your treated areas if this occurs post laser hair removal if at all.
