Laser hair removal is an extremely comfortable method of getting rid of unwanted hair that’s far less painful than shaving or waxing, though multiple sessions over months might be needed for permanent results.
people with darker skin may experience greater discomfort due to pigments found in their hair being absorbed by laser light and damaging its follicle instead of damaging the skin directly.
What to Expect
Laser hair removal is an outpatient procedure performed either at a doctor’s office or dermatology clinic, usually taking less than an hour for small areas such as the chin and up to an hour or more for larger ones such as legs. Laser emits quick pulses of light that penetrate the skin and target pigmented hair follicles – damaging these follicles prevents further unwanted hair growth after treatment, so there will be reduced or no unwanted growth afterward.
As part of your procedure, protective eyewear will be worn to limit exposure to laser light. Some patients may experience minor discomfort; in such instances, cooling devices might be applied directly to the skin in order to relieve pain or burning sensations. Some individuals describe the feeling of laser treatment likened to that of small rubber bands snapping against one’s skin.
Prior to receiving laser therapy, it is wise to refrain from shaving, waxing or plucking the area that needs treating. Shaving removes top layers of hair shafts which decreases the risk of surface burns from laser beams; furthermore sunless skin creams that darken skin color could impede with its ability to distinguish pigment from skin to hair and vice versa.
Laser hair removal usually produces long-term results; however, your doctor may advise maintenance treatments every few months to stop or reduce new hair growth. Treatment results typically become visible after six-8 sessions spaced approximately six-8 weeks apart.
Some hair will regrow, but it will be finer and lighter in color than before. New follicles usually only regrow during periods of hormonal fluctuation like before your period or during pregnancy; depending on your hair and skin type, regular touch-up treatments may be required or your hair may not return at all.
How to Prevent Discomfort
As one way of mitigating pain during laser hair removal, applying topical numbing cream prior to beginning may help. Although this option isn’t always suitable, it may significantly decrease discomfort during treatments – just follow any directions included with each product carefully!
Before your laser treatment session begins, make sure that you are well hydrated. Hydration helps flush away substances in your body that could increase pain during a treatment session and avoid caffeine-heavy beverages for several hours prior to attending an appointment. Furthermore, loose-fitting clothing such as loose trousers can help ease sensations of heat or pain that you might be feeling as this will also ease any heat or pain sensations you experience during treatment sessions.
As your laser treatment progresses, you may experience several sharp stings on the area being treated, similar to rubber band snapping against skin. This sensation results from using high-heat energy from laser beams to destroy hair follicles – the more hair in a follicle there is, the more painful will be the treatment experience.
Laser hair removal sessions typically last anywhere from several minutes to an hour, depending on the size and scope of the area being treated. You may experience an unpleasant burning smell as your hair is burned away from its root by the heat of the laser beam.
Once your session is over, your treated area may become red and swollen – it could even look as though it has suffered mild sunburn. If this occurs to you, apply moisturizer or cool compress and don’t expose it to direct sunlight for as long as possible.
If you have any concerns or queries about discomfort during laser hair removal, do not hesitate to speak up and inform your technician. They will be more than happy to respond with an answer and ease any of your anxieties. They can also test how your skin reacts before embarking on full treatments.
Post-Procedure Care
Laser hair removal is an effective solution to unwanted body hair. Although not permanent, and hair will eventually re-grow, laser removal significantly reduces unwanted strands over time. Furthermore, this method of hair removal is less painful than shaving or waxing; discomfort may still arise at times but not to the same degree; discomfort levels will likely be higher initially because thicker and denser follicles need to be addressed first.
Before beginning any procedure, it is a good idea to discuss pain tolerance with your practitioner. They may provide methods for decreasing discomfort such as applying numbing cream or cold compresses prior to treatment beginning. Furthermore, tanning before laser treatments could increase heat absorption into the skin which would make treatments more painful.
Laser hair removal can be unpleasant for some because the light waves used to target pigments found in hair follicles of skin. Due to sensitivity around these follicles, they may react by turning red or swollen for several hours after treatment; this usually subsides within hours. It is advised not to rub or scratch affected areas as this may cause scarring; also use moisturizer on this area of treatment in order to keep it supple and prevent it from drying out too quickly.
Most laser treatment patients do not experience lasting side effects after treatment, aside from minor irritation. It is advisable to limit sun exposure and apply an SPF30 sunscreen to protect the skin. People should pay close attention to any scabs or blisters on their body and consult a dermatologist if they are concerned they could be infected.
Prior to seeking laser hair removal treatment during pregnancy, it is vitally important to speak to your doctor and get their approval, as it is not safe. Pregnancy causes hormonal shifts that cause new hairs to grow in unwanted places – making removal harder using methods such as waxing or shaving alone.
Follow-Up
After laser hair removal treatments, some individuals may experience minor side effects, including redness, swelling and small bumps on their skin. Most clients report these side effects fading quickly after treatment with cold compresses or ice wrapped in cloth applied directly over the treatment area providing instantaneous relief. You can also use over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol to alleviate discomfort if desired; please discuss this option with your provider beforehand in terms of dosage and schedules for best results.
As part of your effort to reduce side effects, try applying a numbing cream before your session. These are available over-the-counter at most drugstores and should be applied directly onto the treatment area prior to an appointment time for maximum comfort. Apply it about an hour beforehand as this helps numb skin for maximum benefits and minimize pain during treatments.
Shaving before beginning laser treatment might seem counterproductive, but it helps the laser more effectively target hair follicles beneath the skin. You should also refrain from waxing, plucking or any other methods of hair removal during the weeks prior to your session; these could disrupt follicles and reduce effectiveness.
Most people require six treatments to achieve lasting results, spaced out four or six weeks apart for maximum effectiveness. Tanning and other forms of sun exposure such as tanning booths should also be avoided, as these increase your risk of hyperpigmentation or sunburns.
Help reduce side effects by exfoliating the treated area with a scrub or washcloth a few times a week between sessions, using either an exfoliator such as scrub or washcloth, scrub pad or washcloth. Furthermore, avoid taking hot showers, baths and sauna sessions as these may burn and blister your skin; additionally it is wise to always wear SPF for protection purposes.
Most people can achieve permanent hair reduction with laser treatments; it is essential that you follow your provider’s recommendations regarding how many sessions will be necessary for optimal results. When your desired amount of hair loss has been attained, shaving and waxing won’t ever again be an issue!
