Laser hair removal is a popular beauty treatment, but can sometimes be quite painful. To lessen this discomfort, some individuals choose to use a numbing cream before their appointment.
Numbing creams work by blocking pain receptors on the skin. Full effect typically takes one hour; therefore it should be applied at least 30 minutes prior to an appointment.
Numbing creams
Laser hair removal is one of the most sought-after cosmetic treatments for both men and women alike, making it a highly popular cosmetic service option. While not as painful as treatments such as chemical peels or laser resurfacing, laser hair removal still can be uncomfortable; fortunately there are numbing creams available to reduce discomfort caused by treatment containing lidocaine, tetracaine or benzocaine; these can be applied directly onto skin prior to an appointment and work quickly to eliminate discomfort.
Numbing creams are invaluable tools in many procedures that use heat or pressure on the skin, such as tattooing and waxing. Applying them prior to appointments will make it more comfortable for clients with sensitive skin; apply your cream 30 minutes beforehand for best results and try not to apply other creams or oils that could potentially prevent its effect from taking hold.
A great numbing cream should be water-based and free from oily residue, with a smooth, uniform consistency. Gritty or chalky textures may prove difficult to remove without irritation and should be avoided at all costs.
Follow the directions on your numbing cream’s packaging carefully, including applying a thick layer and covering it with plastic wrap for optimal effectiveness.
However, the FDA issued a consumer alert about two deaths related to topical anesthetics. Both women had undergone laser hair removal when they developed seizures due to high levels of lidocaine in their creams – leading to their deaths. Therefore, consumers are advised to choose numbing creams with lower concentrations of anesthetic.
Cold compresses
Laser hair removal is a popular cosmetic procedure used to achieve silky skin. While not as painful as tattooing or waxing, laser hair removal still causes some discomfort; to minimize this pain before beginning treatment use a numbing cream prior to laser hair removal treatment – these creams can be purchased over-the-counter without requiring a valid prescription.
Numbing creams work by stopping nerves from sending pain signals to the brain. Furthermore, they don’t alter the results of laser hair removal processes and can be purchased at most pharmacies and online. The best numbing creams have fast onset times and safe uses; additionally, these single-use packets make their use easy.
Cold compresses are an effective way to ease discomfort during laser hair removal treatments, helping you relax while decreasing pain levels. Apply it several minutes prior to commencing; just be mindful not to injure your skin by being too forceful in applying the cold compress.
An alternative option for managing pain during laser hair removal is taking acetaminophen or Tylenol prior to your appointment. These nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may help ease the sensation of discomfort during laser hair removal; you can take these either orally or subcutaneously.
Emla, a water-based cream for facial and bikini area numbing, can also provide fast relief that doesn’t leave behind an oily residue after application. Available without a valid prescription in most pharmacies, Emla provides rapid onset with effects lasting up to two hours of relief without leaving behind any greasy residue behind.
Lidocaine
Laser hair removal can be an excellent way to reduce or eradicate unwanted hair, yet it can be painful in sensitive areas such as armpits and bikini lines. Therefore, it is wise to use numbing creams prior to beginning laser treatments in order to ease pain by blocking nerve signals reaching the brain, as well as reduce redness and irritation.
Numbing creams should be combined with dynamic cooling devices to maximize their effectiveness. These cooling devices work by blowing cold air onto the area being treated, neutralizing any heat generated from the numbing cream and protecting skin from becoming burnt or irritated during laser hair removal procedures. When combined together, using both elements together can make laser hair removal much less unpleasant and uncomfortable.
The ideal numbing creams for laser hair removal have a quick onset time, are simple to use, safe for single use packets and recommended by many aestheticians. Numbing cream should be applied directly onto desired area covered in plastic wrap then removed after 30 minutes to rinse it off the area.
Ebanel Numb520 is one of the leading numbing creams for laser hair treatment, boasting lidocaine to block nerve endings from transmitting pain signals directly to the brain and soothing moisturizers and vitamin E to soothe skin. Plus, this water-based formula will not interfere with laser treatments!
Clinical Resolution Laboratory Numb Master Topical Anesthetic Cream is another reliable numbing cream for laser hair removal, offering easy application and quick drying time. The numbing effect usually starts within 2-3 minutes after application and peaks after 20-25 minutes; lasting up to an hour in total. In addition, liposomal encapsulation technology improves skin penetration for enhanced performance.
Benzocaine
Benzocaine is an effective topical anesthetic cream used for pain relief during laser hair removal. It works by blocking nerves from sending pain signals directly to the brain. Available at most laser clinics, it should be applied 30-40 minutes prior to sessions for maximum impact – its non-oily formula makes application easy while moisturizing dry skin for improved comfort and reduced dryness – safe for all skin types including facial and underarm areas.
Another effective method of numbing skin before laser treatment involves applying cold compresses with ice or cold packs to reduce inflammation in an area, but this method takes more time than using a numbing cream.
Some numbing creams contain lidocaine, benzocaine or tetracaine as their main ingredients; however, there are many other effective options. Relax & Wax’s No Scream Cream contains 20% benzocaine to help numb skin discomfort during waxing or laser hair removal sessions and is safe for all skin types; simply apply directly onto skin surface!
Prior to applying numbing creams, be sure to wash the area to remove dirt or oil and carefully follow each cream’s instructions. Certain creams require you to cover the area with plastic wrap to increase numbing effects; however, this could increase risks of adverse side effects including vomiting, high heart rate or dizziness; therefore it would be wiser to opt for other techniques, especially if having laser hair removal at a spa or clinic.
Tetracaine
For laser hair removal, the best skin numbing creams must have an immediate onset time. This is vitally important for both patients and clinicians because active ingredients (lidocaine, benzocaine and tetracaine) won’t sit on the skin too long before starting their work; otherwise they risk absorption into bloodstream, leading to adverse reactions. Furthermore, single-use packets must ensure safety.
Emla is a widely available skin numbing cream available at most pharmacies without the need for a valid prescription. Available in a small tube, the cream should be directly applied to the area being targeted by laser hair removal treatments for at least an hour prior to laser appointments.
Tetracaine is an anesthetic drug used to mitigate pain from medical procedures such as laser hair removal. A member of the amide family, it derives its effect from tetrahydrocannabinol (an organic compound). Similar in effect to lidocaine and often combined together for enhanced pain relief. With such potency comes proper usage to ensure no adverse events take place.
Additionally, aestheticians recommend applying a cold compress prior to any laser procedure, in order to help reduce sensation from laser treatments, especially pubic area treatments such as Brazilian waxing. While this technique takes longer than numbing cream and won’t completely numb all areas affected, dynamic cooling devices will prevent oversensitive areas and reduce swelling significantly.
