Laser hair removal is generally safe and well tolerated; however, only qualified practitioners should undertake the procedure.
Keep in mind that the type of area being treated will also have an effect on pain levels; thinner areas like lips or bikini lines tend to be more sensitive than thicker parts such as arms or chins.
1. The Upper Lip
When it comes to laser hair removal, the upper lip is one of the most sensitive areas on your face. The muscles responsible for pulling your upper lip up and out like an archer’s bow (levator labii superioris and levator anguli oris) are situated directly beneath your mouth’s skin surface, making them more vulnerable to pain from laser treatment.
Laser hair removal in this area may cause slight discomfort; however, the level of pain experienced will depend on your personal tolerance level and how sensitive you have become to it.
Before your laser hair removal appointment, it is recommended that the area to be treated is shaved so the laser can easily target hair follicles without harming surrounding tissue. Furthermore, caffeine consumption prior to this procedure could make you more vulnerable to discomfort; alternatively you could try applying numbing cream on both face and body to minimize discomfort during treatment.
2. The Bikini Line
As we all know, shaving your bikini line can lead to razor burn and ingrown hairs (two words: terrible). In order to avoid this pain, many women choose laser treatment for the bikini area instead. Laser hair removal does cause some pain upon application on this area; however, long-term benefits more than make up for any discomfort experienced in terms of results.
Pain associated with laser treatment will depend heavily on your pain threshold, the area being treated and the type of laser used. Newer lasers tend to be less painful than older models while practitioner skill may also play an integral part.
Before getting laser hair removal done on the bikini area, it is advised to use a topical numbing cream from a pharmacy, available over-the-counter. You should also avoid exercise, hot showers and saunas immediately prior to treatment as these activities could contribute to hyperpigmentation and burns caused by sun rays. Schedule your free consultation today to start working towards flawless skin with Brazilian or Bikini laser hair removal!
3. The Underarms
Laser hair removal on your underarms feels similar to having an elastic band flicked against it due to their sensitive nature and abundance of nerve endings; however, it is considered less painful than waxing.
Picking or scratching can negatively impact the results of your treatment and may compromise its success. Furthermore, avoid shaving, plucking or waxing the area until your treatment has completed.
Your practitioner may apply a numbing cream before beginning, which will help minimize pain during your laser session. Once treatment has begun, an air cooler will be attached to the laser and used to deliver cold air blasts onto the area being treated – further increasing comfort levels during your laser sessions.
After your treatments, it is recommended to wear loose cotton clothing to allow the areas to relax naturally. Also avoid moisturisers, oils or balms which could irritate the skin as these could further irritate.
4. The Cheek Area
Laser hair removal utilizes wavelengths that destroy skin cells that house hair follicles. By targeting them directly instead of cutting or plucking them out, laser treatment offers reduced pain compared with shaving or waxing.
However, laser hair removal can still feel quite intense on certain parts of your body. The lateral temporal cheek fat is an especially sensitive region on your face that connects the parotid gland with cervical subcutaneous fat (33) and therefore laser hair removal may feel more painful there than other areas on the face.
Overall, most people find laser hair removal to be an enjoyable yet mildly uncomfortable experience. It is much less intense than waxing and more similar to plucking/tweezing in terms of sensation.
To make our treatments more comfortable, our lasers feature air coolers attached with air coolers which release a cooling spray as the laser pulses. It is important to avoid tanning of any sort prior to your appointment as this may interfere with laser treatments and lead to better outcomes.
5. The Chin
Laser hair removal is an efficient and safe method of eliminating unwanted body hair. Utilizing heat from a laser to destroy hair follicles, this procedure offers much less discomfort than alternative options like plucking or waxing. But many individuals are anxious about how painful this procedure will be.
Pain levels associated with laser hair removal vary from person to person, with some experiencing what feels similar to rubber band snapping against their skin while others feel nothing at all. Furthermore, depending on which laser device is chosen for removal can influence how much discomfort is felt during laser hair removal sessions.
Follow your practitioner’s pre-treatment recommendations to minimise pain. Shave the treatment area 24 to 48 hours prior to each session and do not use Nair or any other hair removal creams during this timeframe. Furthermore, avoid exposure of this area to sunlight as prolonged sun exposure may increase skin sensitivity and lead to burns or scarring in some instances.
6. The Back
Laser hair removal on the back can be especially sensitive. Pain levels tend to range between 4 and 5, though some patients have reported less discomfort than on bikini lines or underarms due to thicker skin that absorbs laser pulses more effectively.
Laser is an effective and permanent hair removal option that does not involve frequent shaving or waxing, yet can seem intimidating since a beam of light will be focused directly onto your skin to remove unwanted hairs.
Laser hair removal isn’t as painful as waxing or electrolysis; however, to ensure an effective session it’s essential to properly prepare. Shaving two days prior and avoiding artificial tanning such as sunbeds are all vital. Furthermore, lotions, scrubs or numbing cream may impede its work; also be sure to hydrate immediately following laser to reduce redness or swelling that could arise post treatment.
7. The Legs
Laser hair removal on legs tends to be slightly more uncomfortable than on other areas, but you should keep in mind that laser treatment is much less painful than waxing. You may be able to reduce discomfort by applying numbing cream prior to each laser hair removal session – this should bring down pain levels to approximately 2.
Young LDN uses air coolers combined with a Zimmer cooling device during laser treatments to make the experience as relaxing and comfortable as possible for our clients. Before initiating any laser sessions, we assess each client’s pain threshold before adjusting intensity levels accordingly for maximum comfort.
Laser hair removal treatments will vary based on the density and color of hairs in each area, as well as your skin’s sensitivity. Most people find laser treatment less painful than waxing or shaving. You can further minimize discomfort by wearing loose clothing during treatment and delaying application of topical products immediately following it.
8. The Stomach
Have you spoken with anyone who has experienced laser hair removal before? Their experiences vary, with some reporting little pinches that felt similar to childbirth while others find it less painful than waxing or visiting the dentist.
Pain levels for laser hair removal will depend on several factors, including your tolerance level and type of machine used. While older lasers tend to be more painful than more modern diode lasers, experienced practitioners can help make your treatment more bearable.
For optimal results, it is advised to shave the area to be treated two to three days before laser therapy begins. Tanning or spray tans are best avoided before laser treatment as these may make skin sensitive; additionally, Nair or similar chemical hair removers could block pigment targeted by the laser beam.
