Tattoos and laser hair removal both cause discomfort, though their level of pain depends on each individual being treated and on which area is being addressed; well-padded areas tend to be less painful than thinner regions due to having more nerve endings and fat pads for cushioning of skin tissue.
What Causes Pain?
Lasers use a focused beam of energy to remove unwanted hair. While laser technology is generally safe, certain body parts may experience pain as the laser energy targets hair follicles for destruction and requires multiple treatments before hair has been completely eliminated from their root source. While traditional methods like shaving, waxing, threading and depilatory creams may produce temporary results, laser removal often produces lasting results and provides permanent solutions.
Pain levels will differ depending on who gets tattooed and on where. Ribs, spine, head, face, hands and feet tend to be particularly sensitive areas due to having more nerve endings exposed and less skin covering them; people with higher pain tolerance may find laser hair removal less painful.
Certain areas of the body are particularly sensitive during laser hair removal, including the upper lip and bikini line. Due to a higher concentration of nerve endings in these locations, they feel each pulse of heat more strongly. Furthermore, pain levels depend on where and how intensely laser beams hit skin surface areas.
To reduce pain during laser hair removal, it’s advisable to shave 24 hours prior to treatment and avoid plucking, threading and using chemical hair removal products such as Nair. Sleep is also vital; lack of rest can affect systems that control emotions and pain receptors within your body.
Reminding oneself that laser hair removal discomfort is temporary is also key. Minor side effects may include some scabbing and flaking following treatment, but these are normal and will pass over time. Covering treated areas with aloe vera gel and applying ice may reduce post-treatment pain and inflammation while people who regularly exercise should postpone workouts for several days post-treatment to avoid sweating on newly treated skin.
How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?
Many men and women are tired of shaving, waxing and plucking to rid themselves of unwanted body hair. Unfortunately, these methods take up time with only temporary results; laser hair removal offers an effective and time-efficient solution that uses light energy absorbed by dark pigments in hair follicles to be converted to thermal energy which then destroys unwanted body hair permanently. Unfortunately for some people with tattoos in areas they wish to remove hair permanently they worry that laser light energy could destroy their tattoo.
Laser hair removal and tattoos should never go together; their light energy cannot distinguish between dark pigments in hair follicles and those present in tattoos; this could result in disfigured tattoos, burns and scarring to your skin, and ultimately hinder how quickly and successfully your tattoo heals.
If your tattoo covers an area where you want hair removal, an experienced practitioner may use a template to ensure the laser does not affect it. Typically, this will mean leaving 2-3cm between it and the lasered area; however, this might not always be feasible if your tattoo covers an entire arm or leg.
Keep in mind that once you undergo laser hair removal, even if all your unwanted hair has been eliminated from a given area, that treatment cannot be repeated due to how laser light interacts with skin pigments and potential future tattoos you might choose to get. Because this method has already taken effect on your pigments as well as any potential new tats you might decide on getting, other forms of hair removal should be explored instead if tattoos exist nearby – perhaps electrolysis might be better as this permanent method does not cause any damage either to skin or tattoos – however its results last far beyond those achieved through laser.
What Is the Difference Between Laser Hair Removal and Tattoos?
Laser hair removal is an increasingly popular cosmetic treatment that can permanently or significantly reduce unwanted body hair. It is especially ideal for people who have tattoos and wish to avoid shaving or waxing in these areas. A focused beam of light is used during laser hair removal treatments to damage hair follicles, effectively diminishing future hair growth while simultaneously delaying future cycles. In order to get optimal results from laser hair removal treatments, regular visits will still be needed in order to reach desired results.
Tattoos are stored as pigment in the skin, so they absorb and reflect laser energy, leading to overheating from laser treatments that could burn, blister or distort your body art. As such, it is wise to consult a knowledgeable practitioner prior to beginning laser treatments near a tattooed area of your body.
Lasers used to treat tattoos use a different kind of pulse than those used for hair removal; this is called Q-switched laser technology and it delivers short yet powerful pulses that break apart the ink particles making up your tattoo, allowing the immune system to flush them away over time.
Tattoos require more time to heal and may need multiple laser treatment sessions before reaching desired results. Therefore, prioritising tattoo removal before undertaking laser hair removal in nearby tattooed areas.
When combined with tattoo removal treatments such as laser hair removal, there’s an increased risk of your body rejecting laser treatment and seeing ink fade or become blurry; furthermore, scarring could occur over tattooed areas.
Before initiating laser hair removal treatments near an area with tattoos on it, it’s essential to consult a knowledgeable practitioner in order to ascertain your best options and achieve safe, long-term solutions. They will offer sound advice on what their recommended solutions might be and whether these could work.
How Does Tattoo Pain Compare to Laser Hair Removal Pain?
Tattoos tend to be more painful than laser hair removal; however, the exact level of discomfort experienced can depend on each individual’s pain threshold and size/location of tattoo. With that being said, both treatments may cause significant discomfort; particularly around sensitive areas like bikini lines or back. Numbing creams and injections may help to lessen pain experienced during treatment sessions.
Most clients describe the sensation of laser tattoo removal as being similar to getting hit with a rubber band and is more intense for areas such as bikini area or large back tattoos. Our aestheticians may use numbing cream prior to treatment in order to further minimize discomfort; our advanced picosecond pulsed laser often requires less sessions than other conventional lasers when breaking down and removing tattoo ink.
Laser tattoo removal does hurt, but does not leave scars or cause permanent skin damage. Furthermore, this method is much safer than regular waxing or electrolysis which may cause ingrown hairs or infections in some instances.
Finally, it should be noted that some clients may experience minor itching and swelling as their tattoo ink begins to fade after treatment; however, this should only last briefly and typically cause no lasting side-effects.
If you are considering getting a tattoo or have one that needs removal, contact Peninsula Glow Medical Spa right away. Our team of cosmetic experts can offer a free consultation, discussing all of your options with you to give you that coveted smooth, seductive look you desire! Call or visit us now so that we can arrange either an in-person or virtual consultation appointment for you with them today!
