Laser hair removal is one of the most permanent solutions available for eliminating unwanted hair. It can completely do away with shaving, waxing and depilation – no longer needing these costly methods of hair removal!
However, does this procedure hurt? That depends on your pain threshold. However, there are ways you can lessen discomfort during treatment such as taking over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen and topical numbing cream before treatment and applying ice after each session.
Pain During Treatment
Laser hair removal works by emitting beams of high-intensity light into the skin, where it absorbs pigment from hair follicles to damage them and cause tingling sensations that often last throughout treatment, yet are usually pain-free; most find that over time the intensity of these sensations diminishes with repeated sessions.
Laser hair removal pain can vary depending on where it’s being performed, with thinner areas like armpit or face skin usually hurting more than thicker areas such as abdomen. Darker, coarser hairs also tend to be larger targets for laser treatment and therefore lead to greater discomfort than lighter or finer ones; those with sensitive skin may benefit from consulting their dermatologist about using topical numbing cream before beginning treatments.
Other factors which can alter how much pain is felt during laser hair removal include time of month, skin condition and personal pain tolerance. Many women have reported that laser hair removal can be more intense when on their period when more pain receptors in their bodies become active than usual. Acne can make laser treatment even more uncomfortable so prioritizing clear skin before beginning this type of therapy is advised.
Some individuals may experience slight warmth on the skin during laser hair removal due to residual laser emissions lingering after each treatment session. This should not cause alarm; cold compresses or ice packs are typically effective ways to soothe it post-treatment.
Some individuals may experience temporary redness and swelling after laser hair removal treatments, though these reactions tend to subside quickly. Most people return immediately to work or their daily activities after having received laser treatment sessions – overall, laser hair removal is much less painful than waxing or getting tattoos; those who have had toothaches or visited the dentist may find laser hair removal easier to tolerate than waxing or tattoos.
Pain After Treatment
Laser hair removal is an efficient, safe method that works by targeting and disabling hair follicles responsible for body hair growth. As an alternative to plucking, tweezing or waxing it usually requires multiple sessions for full results; post-treatment instructions must also be strictly adhered to for best results.
Laser hair removal procedures vary in terms of pain levels depending on which area is being treated, with thinner areas like your upper lip or chin perhaps being more sensitive than larger, thicker areas like legs. Overall, however, laser hair removal tends to be much less painful than waxing or other more invasive hair removal methods such as electrolysis.
Reduce pain during treatment by shaving the area prior to your appointment and applying a topical anesthetic. Depending on the size of your treatment area, you may have to stay up to an hour while laser hair removal works its magic on it.
People with light hair might experience less discomfort during treatment as the laser’s focus is drawn toward pigmented areas on your skin and dark locks instead of white or gray ones. Olive or dark skin types might need additional sessions due to laser’s ineffectiveness for them.
If you find that laser hair removal sessions cause more pain than expected, it could be that menstrual cramps are to blame. Due to fluctuating hormone levels during your period which make you more sensitive to discomfort, scheduling laser hair removal sessions around the time of menstruation should be avoided as far as possible.
Make sure that when choosing a practitioner for laser hair removal treatments, an experienced practitioner is selected. Learning to operate the machine properly takes many hours of training; clinics offering lower priced services may have inferior equipment or lack experience staff compared to professional laser clinics which specialize in this treatment option. Instead of visiting chain or discount spas for this procedure it may be more beneficial for you to visit one that specializes specifically in this service.
Preparation for Treatment
Prior to your laser hair removal appointment, it’s essential that the area be prepared. One effective method of doing so is applying topical numbing cream purchased over-the-counter; this will ensure that when you arrive for your session, your skin is already numbed.
As it is best to target pigmented hair follicles with laser treatments, it is also wise to refrain from plucking, waxing or shaving the area for at least a week prior to treatment. The laser works by targeting its light beam directly. When you pluck or wax hair from its root follicles they cannot be targeted by laser.
Before beginning treatment, it is also essential that any products which could increase skin sensitivity such as makeup, lotions, deodorant or sunless tanning products be applied sparingly and completely rinsed off prior to your session. You should also avoid sun exposure or tanning beds for at least two weeks prior to your scheduled procedure.
If you’re concerned about how painful the procedure will be, talk with your dermatologist about which areas may be more sensitive than others – for instance, back and face areas might be more painful than arms or legs. Your pain tolerance can also depend on skin tone – some patients find darker hairs on their neck more painful than those on face or armpit.
Your doctor will use a hand-held instrument to press against your skin, activate a laser beam, and use an optional cooling device or gel at its tip to protect and soothe any discomfort during this procedure. As the laser passes through your skin it destroys hair follicles through heat release; following which you may feel warm and slightly prickly sensations as well as possible redness or swelling afterward.
Once complete, permanent hair reduction in the area should occur. Each session of treatment usually lasts six to eight sessions and follow-up visits may be needed annually for maintenance purposes. After receiving all these sessions, permanent reduction can be expected.
Post-Procedure Care
A laser emits a beam of energy which targets pigment located within hair follicles, disabling them and stopping their ability to grow hair again. You will likely feel some mild discomfort at the site of treatment similar to pinpricking; your doctor may use cooling device or gel on their instrument tip in order to protect skin and reduce pain during this process.
Your skin may swell slightly after treatment and you may experience redness or small bumps; these effects should fade within 24 hours. To minimize symptoms, place a washcloth moistened with cold water on the area for several minutes at a time for several days after each application of medication or take anti-inflammatory drugs such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to ease any pain or discomfort caused by inflammation.
Once your treatment has taken place, it is vitally important to stay out of direct sunlight or wear an SPF product in order to prevent painful sunburns and burns from the sun. Shaving or waxing of the treated area should also be postponed until at least some weeks prior to their appointment date.
Many clients report that any discomfort they initially felt during their first laser hair removal treatment has lessened with each subsequent session, possibly because their bodies have become used to the sensation or perhaps because the laser becomes increasingly effective over time.
People with naturally abundant hair growth are especially prone to needing laser therapy treatments. If this applies to you, schedule appointments at LH Spa & Rejuvenation for six-to-eight sessions spaced approximately four weeks apart at LH Spa & Rejuvenation for laser sessions that can destroy most hair follicles and stop future hair growth.
If some hairs did not die after your previous session, don’t panic! Touch-up appointments every six months should catch any stray ones so that you can enjoy smooth, hair-free skin throughout your lifetime!
