Does Laser Hair Removal Hurt Underarms?

Brian Lett
By Brian Lett
10 Min Read

Laser hair removal may be the perfect solution to getting rid of underarm hair permanently and painlessly. Unfortunately, however, many are reluctant to try this treatment out because they fear it may hurt.

Truth be told, it isn’t painful; rather it feels like a series of small stings that may last up to an hour.

It’s Pain-Free

Laser hair removal for underarms should cause minimal pain. The laser penetrates skin superficially, targeting only hair follicles while being safe to lymph nodes and sweat glands located underarm area – meaning you should experience no lasting or serious side effects from this procedure.

If you experience discomfort during treatments, an anesthetic cream could help relieve it temporarily; however, this should only be used sporadically as long-term side effects may result. For a more natural solution to relieve minor discomfort post treatment sessions, cold compresses could help.

Based on your skin sensitivity and pain tolerance, laser zaps may feel similar to snapping a rubber band or receiving a quick needle injection. Some may handle it better than others; you should discuss any concerns with your healthcare professional prior to scheduling treatment sessions.

Before beginning laser hair removal treatments, it’s essential that the underarm area be left free from shaving and waxing for at least six weeks prior. This is because laser treatments use melanin to target and destroy unwanted hair follicles.

Pre and post treatment shaves should be performed with an electric razor that is gentle on your skin, and you should avoid chemical-based or scented body washes, deodorant products and hot showers that might exacerbate conditions like this one.

Laser hair removal can be an effective solution to decrease underarm hair thickness and help with body odor or other embarrassing conditions, while at the same time lightening skin pigmentation issues in their underarms. It may even help reduce hyperpigmentation over time.

Laser hair removal usually requires multiple sessions before noticeable results become evident, with touch-up sessions needed after your initial course of treatments has ended. When choosing a provider for laser treatments, be sure to visit more than one provider to compare prices, credentials, portfolio of work and reviews from previous clients before making your choice.

It’s Quick

Laser hair removal may provide the solution you’ve been seeking to create smooth armpits just in time for tank top season. Plus, lasers are great at eliminating ingrown hairs! Not only is the procedure quick and pain-free; the results may even last longer!

At your underarm hair removal appointment, an aesthetician will use topical cream to numb the area for relatively pain-free treatment – although you might experience slight sensations during each procedure. Underarm treatments typically take less than 30 minutes; full arm treatments can last slightly longer depending on their size.

Before your laser treatment begins, your technician will draw white lines on your skin where they will perform it. For optimal results, it is essential that you follow their instructions closely; for instance, you might need to refrain from shaving and waxing for six weeks prior to your appointment; shaving disturbs melanin production in hair follicles which makes it harder for laser beams to locate and destroy them. You should also avoid using any darkening skin creams or blood-thinning medications which might interfere with targeting those follicles by laser.

As with any laser treatment, there may be some discomfort during a laser procedure; however, this should usually be minimal. You can expect your technician to speak to you during treatment so you can voice any queries or express concerns that arise. If the feeling becomes intense for any reason, be sure to let them know immediately so they can reduce power or discontinue altogether.

After your treatment, apply a cold compress or soothing aloe vera gel to the area being treated. Your skin might appear slightly red or swollen following treatment; these side effects should resolve within a day and allow you to return to your daily activities immediately or temporarily cover it to prevent direct sun exposure.

Typically, it takes three to eight sessions for permanent hair removal results to occur. Your frequency of visits will depend on the pattern of hair growth on your scalp and how the laser targets the follicles. Touch-up treatments might be required periodically in order to keep results maintained over time.

It’s Safe

Laser hair removal is an efficient and safe solution to eliminate unwanted body hair. When performed by a licensed practitioner, it won’t damage nearby tissues and won’t leave scars behind. While there may be risk factors involved with treatment, most adverse side effects usually fade within several hours after each session – you may notice redness, swelling and itching post session that generally disappear quickly with cold compress application to the area causing irritation or itching.

Laser hair removal is also far less invasive than alternatives like waxing and shaving, which may remove some hair but don’t entirely eradicate it – these methods require ongoing upkeep for best results. By contrast, laser hair removal permanently decreases the number of follicles capable of growing hair, thus decreasing appearance significantly and decreasing its growth altogether.

Before commencing a laser hair removal session, it will be necessary to shave the area beforehand. Shaving removes the top layer of skin so the laser can more effectively target and kill hair follicles. In addition, it’s advisable to avoid sun exposure before your session as tanning beds and sun lamps could confuse tanning for hair growth and cause serious skin damage – try not to expose yourself in direct sunlight prior to getting laser treatments done!

Some individuals with darker skin may experience dark spots after laser treatment; similarly, those with lighter skin may see lightened patches. Although these changes are temporary and should not discourage anyone from undertaking laser procedures.

After laser hair removal treatment, your dermatologist may suggest topical steroid cream to relieve any discomfort or inflammation. You must avoid direct sunlight and wear broad-spectrum sunscreen after the procedure to protect your skin. You should follow your doctor’s instructions regarding scheduling of subsequent appointments – sometimes several treatments are required, while most will notice reduced unwanted hair after four or six sessions; annual touch-up sessions are necessary in order to maintain results of laser hair removal. To find out more about its advantages or get advice from a board-certified dermatologist click here

It’s Effective

Laser treatments offer an alternative to waxing in which only pigment from hair follicles is targeted, disabling them to produce new hair growth without harming surrounding skin cells or harming you overall. Over time you will experience less hair growth, creating a smoother surface appearance. Results vary between patients but typically between 10%-25% decrease after their initial laser session session.

Laser hair removal is a straightforward process. Your practitioner will apply a cooling device or gel before applying a laser instrument to your skin and heating the treatment area until all pigment in your hair follicle is sufficiently damaged to inhibit future hair growth. As your treatment area heats, you may feel something similar to rubber band snapping against your skin or sunburn-like stinging while disabled follicles are disabled and destroyed; you might also detect an unpleasant sulfurous scent as the hair follicles disintegrate.

Prior to laser treatment sessions, it’s wise to refrain from shaving legs or arms until after using depilatory products that target hair above the surface or hair removal creams. Sun damage interferes with their effectiveness as well.

After your laser hair removal treatment, you should return to normal activities immediately. However, exercising should be postponed for around 24 hours as sweat may contain bacteria which could infiltrate and infect the treated skin. Saunas should also be avoided as their heat could further irritate it.

For optimal results, space your treatment sessions out approximately six weeks apart for maximum impact and effectiveness. Doing this ensures that each treatment session will address all unwanted hair growth, rather than simply eliminating some. Touch-up sessions could also prove helpful for keeping results long term; for this purpose if considering laser hair removal consult a board-certified dermatologist about treatment options and goals before making decisions regarding this course of action.

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