Laser hair removal uses pulses of high-heat light to permanently destroy hair follicles and inhibit their future growth. Although more permanent than plucking, waxing, or shaving alone, laser treatment does not come without its share of pain.
Receiving this treatment shortly after your period can reduce discomfort. At your appointment, you may detect smoke and feel heat; the entire procedure will last from several minutes to one hour.
Numbing Cream
As far as laser hair removal goes, everyone’s pain threshold varies greatly. While some may find the little pinches associated with laser treatments excruciatingly painful, others barely feel anything at all. For those particularly sensitive, considering using numbing cream can make the experience relatively pain-free – blocking pain signals from reaching their brain thus making the experience relatively pain-free.
Based on your preferences, there are various types of numbing creams available to assist with laser hair removal sessions without unnecessary discomfort. A quality numbing cream should act quickly without leaving an unpleasant gritty or chalky feeling on your skin and should also contain no harmful ingredients that could potentially pose risks.
BLT numbing cream, which contains benzocaine, lidocaine and tetracaine as its active ingredients, is one of the fastest-acting anesthetic creams on the market. Although you can apply this anesthetic yourself before laser hair removal sessions at home, trained professionals should administer it at their office in order to minimize adverse side effects such as vomiting or nausea.
Emla Numbing Cream contains 5% lidocaine – the maximum concentration available without a valid valid prescription. Once applied and wrapped in plastic wrap, its effects start working within 30 minutes, lasting up to 2 hours of numbing skin.
Before applying a numbing cream, it is best to wash and scrub the area that will be treated. This ensures that it can fully penetrate your skin surface. In addition, avoid shaving before treatment as this could compromise its numbing effects.
Before your laser hair removal session, the numbing cream should be left on for 20-30 minutes to allow it to take its full effect and rinse the area properly so as to eliminate any leftover cream residue. Once complete, take steps to ensure all excess cream has been washed away by washing with warm water afterwards.
Preparation
Laser hair removal without pain requires targeting the pigment in your hair, so for best results it is important to avoid plucking and waxing as these methods only remove surface-level hair without targeting its root; shaving may be better in these weeks leading up to your appointment.
Before your procedure, limit sun exposure as much as possible – both natural and artificial tanning will diminish its effectiveness and can even lead to side effects like irritation.
Additionally, any skin care products – moisturizers or makeup – that might aggravate the area being targeted should be avoided before receiving laser therapy treatments. Use soap and water instead to cleanse the area prior to beginning laser treatments.
After receiving laser treatment, it is normal for some type of histamine reaction to occur, typically consisting of itching and swelling. If this occurs for you, over-the-counter antihistamines like Benadryl or Zyrtec may help alleviate these side effects; additionally applying soothing creams/gels such as Restorative Gel may provide additional comfort by offering antimicrobial properties that reduce bacteria growth while speeding healing of treated areas.
Prior to your treatment, it is also recommended that you stay well hydrated. This can help minimize dryness which may make your skin sensitive to laser light treatment and uncomfortable.
As part of your consultation process, it’s also crucial that any medications causing photosensitivity be revealed, especially any that interact with laser light and could increase side effects. Furthermore, taking photos prior to starting laser hair removal treatments is an excellent way to track progress and gain a clear picture of possible outcomes that could come from regular sessions with your practitioner.
The Procedure
Laser hair removal uses pulses of light to target and destroy hair follicles. Light energy absorbed by pigment in hair turns into heat that destroys follicles so they no longer produce hair; over a series of treatments this results in permanent hair reduction.
Before beginning treatment, we’ll thoroughly clean the area and apply topical numbing cream to reduce discomfort. Next, we will give you protective goggles to shield your eyes from laser light exposure during your laser session. It should take no more than 15 minutes per session but may feel similar to a warm pinprick or light rubber band snapping against your skin; most people can bear with this sensation without complaint.
Laser hair removal differs from plucking or waxing in that it eliminates every hair follicle at once, leaving skin soft and smooth after treatment. Its gentle technique is ideal for sensitive areas such as bikini lines or underarms; additionally it may also help treat razor bumps, ingrown hairs, pseudofolliculitis barbae as well as excess hair caused by birthmarks or post-surgical procedures.
Most individuals require six to eight laser sessions spaced four to six weeks apart for maximum effectiveness. After the procedure, your hair may regrow – however it will likely be lighter and less visible than previously.
After treatment, your skin may appear red or swollen for several days following. Purpura, blistering or hyperpigmentation could occur but these effects should only last a few days before subsiding.
Finding a qualified practitioner trained in safe and effective laser treatment is essential to your wellbeing. Make sure they’re registered with a reputable registry which sets standards for training, skill, and insurance. Furthermore, ask satisfied patients for referrals.
Laser hair removal may not be covered by most health insurance plans, but it can still be an economical and worthwhile way to eliminate unwanted hair. With so many women and men experiencing unwanted strands of fur on their body, investing in laser treatment could provide smooth and beautiful skin for many.
Post-Procedure Care
There are various methods for getting rid of unwanted hair, ranging from creams that dissolve the shaft to electrolysis and waxing – none are as efficient or painless as laser hair removal.
Experience of your provider and personal tolerance level are two primary determinants of how painful a laser hair removal treatment will be. When selecting a provider, look for someone board certified in a speciality such as dermatology or cosmetic surgery who has extensive experience performing laser treatments on skin types similar to your own. Avoid spas or salons which allow nonmedical personnel to administer treatments as these may lack appropriate expertise and training.
Laser hair removal works by targeting hair follicles with microsecond, high-heat laser beams that penetrate deeply. These beams are administered all at once and may cause some pain similar to when snapping a rubber band; using an alexandrite or diode laser with the highest safety rating may reduce this sensation.
Prior to your laser hair removal session, you should shave the area carefully with care, taking special attention not to nick or cut the surface of the skin. Use only high-quality razors or disposable shaving pads designed for sensitive skin; avoid waxing, plucking, or tweezing in this timeframe and avoid sunless tanners, which can lighten hair pigmentation and make targeting hair follicles harder for the laser beams.
Once your laser hair removal procedure is over, you may experience redness or swelling at the site of treatment for up to 48 hours afterward; this should resolve within hours. In order to protect the integrity of your skin and help preserve results from treatment, avoid sun exposure for several days post-procedure and apply broad spectrum sunscreen when going outside; additionally exfoliating once weekly will decrease the chance of ingrown hairs occurring.
Are you ready to let go of razors and tweezers? With Soprano ICE laser hair removal treatment, we can help you achieve a silky skin surface without stubble with our Soprano ICE treatment! Get in touch with us now to schedule your consultation session.
