Laser hair removal can safely eliminate unwanted body hair, leaving skin silky smooth. A qualified practitioner should perform the procedure for maximum effectiveness and safety.
Prior to your appointment, it is recommended that you apply numbing cream. Also avoid tanning before beginning treatment.
Average results typically require four or six treatments for optimal results, however those with more sensitive skin may require additional sessions.
Pain Levels
Laser hair removal pain depends heavily on which area of the body is being treated; typical areas include legs, arms/underarms, face and bikini line. Individual experience will differ and range from subtle to moderate pain levels – for instance in underarms it feels similar to snapping rubber bands against skin while neck pain resembles an electric shock – while it could even increase with thick and dark hair removals.
Laser treatment itself is a relatively fast process, taking only fractions of a second for each pulse of laser to treat one hair follicle. While fast, some individuals still find the treatment uncomfortable; some also report feeling their hairs burning as the laser pulses against them. Therefore, for maximum effectiveness and to prevent complications from occurring it is vital that licensed professionals perform your treatment in order to provide excellent results and minimize complications from occurring.
Before receiving laser treatment, it is recommended to shave the area being addressed, to allow the laser light to properly reach hair follicles. In addition, plucking, waxing or any other method of hair removal must also be avoided prior to your session session. Furthermore, it would be wise to avoid products like sunless tanning products and skin lightening creams which may alter or disrupt pigment in your skin.
Based on your pain threshold, discussing with the person providing laser therapy what your levels are may help reduce discomfort. These might include topical numbing agents and/or iceing before your session.
Focusing on something else may help distract from any discomfort from laser therapy pulsing against your skin, for a while at least. Furthermore, taking breaks during treatments if pain becomes overwhelming may also help.
After your treatment, the area might appear red and swollen due to the heat from the laser expanding hair follicles. Ice can help relieve this discomfort for up to 20 minutes at a time; additionally, wear loose and comfortable clothes after your laser session in order to reduce sweat exposure which could increase discomfort levels further.
Discomfort Levels
Laser hair removal is an effective and safe method for eliminating unwanted body hair, yet many individuals remain uncertain of its pain level. Some have reported experiencing something resembling sunburn during treatment while others found the process pain-free. Overall, however, your experience depends on your skin type (thick or thin), pain tolerance levels and tolerance threshold; so it is advisable to speak to a dermatologist about what the specific pain levels will be associated with your chosen area for laser treatment.
Laser hair removal treatments are most frequently administered on arms, underarms, legs, face, bikini line and bikini area. Arms and underarms tend to be less painful due to thicker skin; however, facial and bikini area skin may be thinner. Therefore, it’s important to discuss pain levels with your dermatologist to assess which area will be more or less painful when seeking laser hair removal treatment.
Most patients report experiencing small pinches during laser hair removal that they describe as feeling like rubber bands snapping against their skin. While this pain level is tolerable for most, many find that laser hair removal hurts far less than waxing. Some individuals may experience an intense stinging sensation that they cannot bear; in order to alleviate discomfort prior to laser hair removal it is highly advised that you numb the area beforehand with a topical analgesic cream.
Laser hair removal works best when there is a distinct contrast between your skin tone and that of your hair color; darker pigmented hair absorbs heat from laser while lighter-colored skin does not.
Prevent any unintended side effects such as dark spots or scabbing from occurring after laser hair removal by not tanning or applying sunless spray tans before your appointment with your laser hair removal technician. This will help minimize potential discomfort afterward.
Time of the Day
Laser hair removal uses concentrated light to target and destroy melanin pigment in hair follicles, thus stopping further growth. Dark haired individuals with light-skinned complexions are ideal candidates for this procedure. You may experience something resembling rubber bands snapping quickly against your skin during treatment; this is normal and shouldn’t last more than a minute or two.
Pain levels vary greatly between individuals and depending on which area is being treated, with upper lips typically being most sensitive due to having more nerve endings present; bikini areas and underarms tend to cause discomfort due to thinner skin; however as treatments progress they will lessen as each session targets fewer hair follicles.
Prior to your session, it is recommended that you refrain from applying creams or ointments to the area being targeted, as these could interfere with how your skin absorbs laser energy. Instead, a cool gel should be applied directly onto the skin prior to treatment in order to calm redness or swelling post-treatment.
If you’re concerned about discomfort during a laser hair removal appointment, it would be a wise move to inquire whether your practitioner uses top of the range machines; these tend to be more effective and reduce sessions needed in order to achieve desired results.
Avoid sun exposure before your session to ensure your skin is at its bare minimum and ready for treatment. If necessary, apply broad spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen when outside.
Before booking a laser hair removal appointment, always verify the practitioner is registered with an accredited professional organization. This ensures they have met set standards for training, skill and insurance; stay away from practitioners who have completed only short courses or self-taught programs in laser hair removal.
Aftercare
Once your hair removal procedure has taken place, redness and swelling may persist for a few days following laser hair removal. While these effects usually dissipate quickly, if they don’t you may use a cool compress or aloe vera gel to soothe any sensitive areas as needed. Steroid cream or Tylenol (acetaminophen) can reduce pain and inflammation as needed – to further minimize risk, consult with a dermatologist prior to taking over-the-counter medication.
Before beginning laser hair removal, it’s essential that the area be left alone for several weeks prior to shaving or waxing in order to allow hair follicles time to adapt and prepare themselves for treatment. Tanning beds, sun lamps and any other indoor tanning equipment must also be avoided during this timeframe.
Avoiding tanning beds will enable you to enjoy optimal results from your treatments, since their pigments absorb light from lasers, turning gray your hair.
Laser hair removal works best when done over multiple sessions, usually four or six every month, for optimal results. Eventually all unwanted hair will have been eradicated or completely put into remission.
Before your appointment, it is essential to use a numbing cream or an ice pack in order to make the process more comfortable and reduce any possibility of painful laser hair removal treatments. Not only will the cream numb the area where laser hair removal will take place; it may even lessen any chance of painful laser hair removal treatments occurring.
Finding the appropriate person for laser hair removal treatments is paramount. Be sure that they have been professionally trained in their profession, registered on a register and meet minimum medical board standards before proceeding with treatments yourself. Furthermore, ask for a demonstration of the machine prior to scheduling sessions – having such an assurance will give you confidence that you’re selecting an option suitable to both your skin and goals.
