Laser hair removal may seem painless, but some clients may experience discomfort. Ice packs and numbing cream may help lessen its impact.
Before coming for laser hair removal treatment, it’s essential that the area to be addressed has been shaved for maximum comfort and so that only existing hair is targeted by the laser beam.
Acetaminophen
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is an analgesic and antipyretic drug that effectively relieves pain and fever, without increasing inflammation or swelling like other anti-inflammatories such as NSAIDs do. Although typically well tolerated and available over-the-counter, some prescription medicines may contain acetaminophen so always read labels before taking medications containing acetaminophen.
Before and after laser hair removal treatments, aspirin or any drugs containing aspirin should be avoided for two weeks as this will increase the risk of bruising. Also avoid certain antidepressants, antibiotics, heart medications, anti-cancer drugs and sedatives which could increase this risk as well as alcohol or any drugs which affect blood flow; make sure you get sufficient rest prior to any appointments as this helps manage stress better.
Shave the area where you intend to undergo laser hair removal treatment as it makes the laser easier to operate. Also consider taking an over-the-counter pain reliever such as Tylenol before your appointment in order to ease any pain or discomfort you might feel during treatment, or use topical anesthetic creams which reduce feelings of pain during the procedure.
Your hormone levels could determine your level of pain sensitivity during laser hair removal treatments; taking this into consideration, scheduling an appointment after menstruation has passed or within one week after it may be best.
Acetaminophen poisoning and overdose are fairly prevalent, so you should take extra caution not to consume too much of this medication. Read labels of cold/sinus medicines carefully since some contain acetaminophen as well. Do not mix acetaminophen with any other over-the-counter or prescription drugs because doing so could result in liver damage; any overdoses or toxic reactions require medical assistance immediately – the CDC reports that most cases of acetaminophen toxicity involve taking more than the recommended amount.
Ibuprofen
Ibuprofen (brand names Advil, Brufen and Caldolor) is an anti-inflammatory medication with great potential. It can reduce pain, fever and inflammation as well as increasing the blood’s ability to clot. However, it should be noted that Ibuprofen may thin blood and increase bruising during laser hair removal treatment, so if possible it would be wise to avoid taking any in the days leading up to your appointment.
Instead, take an alternative pain reliever like Tylenol (acetaminophen), which does not affect blood circulation in any way and will help ease discomfort during your laser hair removal treatment session.
Before your session, use a topical anesthetic that will numb the area and make it less painful. Your technician can provide this treatment option or you can purchase over-the-counter numbing creams and acetaminophen to use at home before your appointment. After treatment is completed, apply ice packs immediately to reduce swelling and inflammation.
Before beginning laser hair removal treatments, it is vital that you receive adequate restful sleep the night prior. Insufficient rest can diminish pain tolerance and disrupt normal bodily processes like those related to hormone regulation. Furthermore, caffeine and alcohol should be avoided on treatment day.
Receiving adequate sleep can both boost your mood and make you more flexible, which can ease the pain associated with laser hair removal. For maximum effectiveness, however, avoid scheduling laser hair removal during menstruation as changes in hormone levels could increase intensity of pain.
Before scheduling full laser hair removal treatments, conducting a patch test to assess how your skin tolerates laser hair removal is highly recommended. If any side effects such as pus, worsening redness or swelling or fever appear, call your physician immediately. Additionally, for optimal results it’s advisable not to remove hair in the treated area with waxing, razors, tweezers or chemical solutions for at least six weeks prior to receiving laser therapy treatments.
Tylenol
Before laser hair removal, Tylenol can provide relief from any pain or discomfort you experience during treatment. However, if you have medical conditions like heart disease or high blood pressure, be sure to notify your physician first before taking over-the-counter medication like Tylenol. NSAIDs (ibuprofen and Alieve) should also be avoided as these could potentially cause bleeding or thin your skin during and post treatment.
Acetaminophen, more commonly known by its brand name Tylenol, has been widely used since 1951 as an over-the-counter pain reliever and fever reducer. It can help treat headaches, arthritis pains, cold symptoms, as well as muscle aches and pains without negatively affecting stomach or other medications prescribed at once. Tylenol remains popular because it does not irritate its user’s stomach nor is likely to interact with other over-the-counter remedies.
As much as this medication has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for general use, it may still cause adverse side effects in some individuals, including flu-like symptoms, blistering skin rashes and jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes). Therefore it’s important to follow your physician’s advice regarding dosage amounts.
Acetaminophen can also cause overdose, even if taken only one pill at a time. To avoid this happening, avoid other medicines containing acetaminophen such as cold and cough medicines, NSAIDs, and herbal supplements that contain it.
As with the other steps in this procedure, it is also wise to discontinue products that increase photosensitivity (such as salicylic acid, retinol and benzoyl peroxide ) for two or three days prior to beginning your laser treatment and wait several weeks before restarting them again – this will reduce your chances of getting sunburn during your laser appointment which could trigger an unwanted reaction with the laser treatment itself.
Finally, shaving the area that will be treated the night or morning of your appointment is highly recommended to increase effectiveness of laser hair removal treatments. Be careful when shaving as forcing out hair could damage delicate skin in that region and should only be done gently to maximize efficiency of laser treatments. Also avoid waxing, threading and epilating that area for four weeks prior to and during laser hair removal treatments.
Other over-the-counter pain relievers
Laser hair removal is a popular cosmetic treatment that can free you from the hassle and discomfort associated with daily shaving. Unfortunately, however, for some individuals it can be painful, particularly those with sensitive skin or low pain tolerance. Luckily, there are ways you can ease discomfort before your appointment date.
An effective way to alleviate pain before an appointment is taking a topical anesthetic. These medicines are applied directly to the skin and work by blocking pain receptors in your brain – these come in creams, gels, sprays and patches – you can also ask your pharmacist which medication would work best and explain its mechanism of action.
Along with taking pain relievers, it’s also wise to forego other medicines or substances that might impede treatment, such as antihistamines and allergy medicines that could drowse you or alter how well you respond to light touch. On the day of your appointment, avoid applying lotions, perfumes or deodorant as these could refract the light and diminish its efficacy.
As part of your preparations for laser treatment, it is also crucial that the area be shaved beforehand. Although this may seem counterintuitive, shaving allows the laser to target hair follicles underneath and will greatly decrease discomfort and side effects during therapy.
Make an effort to forgo laser hair removal during your menstrual cycle as the hormone levels will fluctuate and pain receptors in your skin could become more active, rendering treatments ineffective as the laser beam focuses on skin surface instead of hair follicles.
At the conclusion of your appointment, always notify your technician if any problems arise following treatment – whether this involves redness, bumps or slight swelling. Furthermore, be sure to reach out if any signs of infection like pus or fever arise during this timeframe.
