Pain relievers may increase bruising and bleeding after laser hair removal, according to some professionals. Therefore, it may be wise to refrain from taking such medication prior to your appointment.
Avoid shaving too closely around the area being treated, as excessive shaving can cause itching after laser hair removal and should be mitigated with cold compresses or ice packs.
Acetaminophen
Acetaminophen (pronounced a-seet’-amin’-oh-fen) is an over-the-counter pain reliever used to reduce fevers and ease mild to moderate discomfort. It can be found both over-the-counter medicines like Tylenol as well as prescription ones; it should always be discussed with your healthcare provider prior to taking acetaminophen, since it could interact with certain antibiotics or not be recommended if liver disease exists.
Before going for laser hair removal, it’s essential to consult your physician and discuss which medications may be safe. In particular, anti-inflammatory and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs and AAIDs) should be avoided as these may increase the risk of bruising and bleeding at your treatment site. Furthermore, smoking and caffeine consumption could make you more sensitive to pain during the procedure.
If you’re concerned about discomfort, ask your physician for an OTC numbing cream containing lidocaine to apply before your appointment and help numb the area to be treated. However, make sure that you strictly abide by all instructions on the label and apply it exactly as instructed.
Laser hair removal may be uncomfortable, but not painful. The feeling of laser light on your skin is similar to a prickling or stinging sensation, and how much discomfort you experience depends on your individual sensitivity as well as which body part or area you’re having treated. Some individuals report less discomfort due to factors like skin type, thickness and color differences of their hair follicles.
One effective way to minimize discomfort during and after dental appointments is drinking plenty of water and taking a multivitamin before your appointment. Hydration helps flush away substances that increase pain, while it may reduce swelling post-procedure. Furthermore, it’s best to refrain from drinking alcohol, caffeine, or taking other stimulants before your visit.
Before your appointment, it’s a good idea to shave the area that will be treated the night or morning prior. Additionally, applying a cool gel may help numb any discomfort from treatments in that area.
Ibuprofen
Ibuprofen should not be taken before laser hair removal as it thins blood, increasing bruising. There are other over-the-counter pain relievers that won’t thin blood and should be taken one hour prior to laser treatment; one option is Acetaminophen (Tylenol). Acetaminophen doesn’t thin blood either and doesn’t increase bruising; you can take liquid or tablet forms. You could also ask your technician about topical lidocaine creams; these topical treatments last approximately 30 minutes before returning for laser treatment.
Drinking plenty of water before laser hair removal can also help ease pain. Staying hydrated keeps cells functioning optimally while flushing your system of substances that increase pain sensitivity – like caffeine. Be mindful about what drinks contain caffeine; any increase in pain sensitivity could mean skipping coffee or caffeinated drinks altogether.
Before your appointment, it’s essential that you get enough restful sleep. Insufficient rest can alter how your body reacts to pain; thus it is best to be well rested before beginning treatment.
Gaining enough rest will also help you feel relaxed and prepared for laser treatment, and avoid smoking and excessive alcohol intake as these behaviors could interfere with how your body processes medication, potentially decreasing their effectiveness or leading to unwanted side effects.
Avoid irritating products like dyes, perfumes and makeup as these can increase sensitivity in the skin and make treatments more painful and irritating. Aloe vera gel can also be applied directly over treatment areas as this soothing gel helps the body recover after medical procedures.
Finally, discuss with your technician whether using topical anesthetic is allowed before beginning laser treatments. Numbing creams that contain lidocaine may provide relief without resorting to taking ibuprofen for discomfort and bruising. Also ask them if you could wipe the area with cooling gel beforehand as this will both numb your skin as well as prevent overheating of laser light causing excess heat build-up in that region.
Tylenol
One of the best ways to reduce pain during laser hair removal is preparing your skin in advance. This may mean forgoing tanning beds for at least a week prior, applying thick topical creams such as Aldara to soothe redness, and refraining from waxing, threading, electrolysis etc in the area where treatment will occur. Shaving is also crucial as this reduces thermal injury to its surface.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can provide much-needed pain relief during laser hair removal sessions, so taking it an hour before can reduce discomfort significantly. Avoid taking NSAIDs like Ibuprofen (Advil), which may thin blood and increase chances of bruising during treatment.
Staying hydrated on the day of treatment is also key in order to keep cells functioning normally and avoid developing an increased pain threshold due to dehydration. Alcohol and caffeine should also be avoided prior to treatments as both can reduce pain tolerance.
At any appointment with your provider or laser technician, it is wise to inform them if you are taking prescription medications such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen as these could interact with other drugs and lead to serious side effects. Antifungals, antibiotics, sulfa drugs, birth control pills/hormone replacement therapy pills/hRT as well as blood pressure medicines, cancer medicines/ gout/arthritis/psychiatric drugs should all be mentioned to your provider.
Avoid laser hair removal during your menstrual cycle as hormonal fluctuations may alter your pain tolerance and the effectiveness of treatment. Also try not scheduling treatments just before or after menstruation as this could impede its effectiveness.
Before your appointment, avoid getting any new piercings or tattoos in the treatment area in the days prior to receiving treatment. Furthermore, sunlight exposure to this area should be done carefully for at least two weeks following its treatment; sunscreen with at least an SPF 30 sunscreen should always be worn when outdoors.
Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers
Over-the-counter pain medicines can provide effective relief for many aches and pains. When used as directed and for short durations, OTC painkillers are generally safe; however, long term or high dose use could result in adverse side effects; furthermore they could interact with medications you’re already taking; therefore it is wise to read labels carefully and consult your healthcare provider prior to taking OTC painkillers.
Acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are two primary over-the-counter pain relievers available over-the-counter (OTC). Both can block pain signals to the brain; Acetaminophen also reduces fevers; while NSAIDs, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, decrease inflammation.
Some NSAIDs may cause stomach upset, bleeding in the intestines or peptic ulcers; long-term use may increase your risk for heart attack or stroke. Furthermore, taking any acetaminophen or any other NSAIDs should not be taken if you have liver disease or consume three or more drinks daily; otherwise acetaminophen will increase this risk further.
Use the special device that comes with your medicine to accurately measure out your dose. Never exceed the recommended amount. Do not mix OTC medicines together unless instructed to by a healthcare provider as this could lead to overdosing; additionally, children should only receive medications intended specifically for them and stored out of reach and sight of children. In addition, keep a list of all OTC and prescription medicines you take.
