Lasers work by absorbing pigment from hair follicles and then converting that energy into heat to destroy them, giving the effect of flicking an elastic band across your skin.
Thankfully, it isn’t as painful as waxing or visiting the dentist; and significantly less so than tattooing or getting your teeth worked on. Most clients report hairless skin after only a few treatments; although pain levels do differ.
Thick Hair
Hair thickness and density are two primary determinants of laser treatment discomfort for any given individual. While thickness refers to individual strand width, density measures how thin or thick those strands collectively are – so thick hair doesn’t always equate with dense. While thicker people generally have wider follicles than thin-haired people. Genetics also plays an influential role in hair thickness.
Area of treatment plays an integral part in how much discomfort one experiences during laser treatment. Areas with thick dark hair will feel the snapping sensation more acutely than those with thinner lighter locks as the darker dense locks provide a larger target for laser light to target than thinner fine hairs.
Avoiding laser treatment pain requires some strategy before sessions begin. One tip to help ease discomfort during laser sessions is using aloe vera gel prior to therapy – this will sooth skin and reduce discomfort significantly. Staying hydrated also keeps skin from becoming oversensitive during therapy sessions.
Attractively designed laser machines should also be utilized by clinics for optimal treatments. These laser machines aim to make patients’ experiences as comfortable as possible by emitting beams of high intensity light that target pigmented hair follicles with laser light, thus inhibiting future hair growth.
Finally, it is essential to keep in mind that everyone has their own pain threshold. Laser treatment may be considered safe and effective; however, it may still cause pain. Therefore, anyone considering getting laser therapy should meet with a licensed professional and discuss their own personal pain threshold in advance of starting treatment. They will be able to offer advice and methods to make the treatment as comfortable as possible, including applying numbing cream in sensitive areas if applied too heavily or by someone other than a qualified healthcare provider. However, be mindful that excessive use or application by unqualified providers could potentially have life-threatening side effects; therefore it should only ever be applied by medical providers trained professionals or used unknowingly!
Density of Hair
If someone compliments your hair by telling you it is thick, they could be talking about density instead. While thick refers to width of individual strands, density measures the number of follicles per square inch on your scalp.
Ascertain your hair density by pulling it back into a puff or ponytail and measuring its circumference with a ruler. Low density will measure less than two inches; medium density should measure two to three inches; and high density exceeds four inches. You can also gauge diameter by holding one strand between thumb and index finger; fine hair will hardly be felt while medium-thick strands will easily register while coarse strands will definitely stand out.
Understanding your hair type can be invaluable in planning laser treatments, providing an idea of what to expect during treatment. While many report initial discomfort during their first sessions, clients eventually report lessening discomfort with every subsequent visit – likely due to thick, dark strands being killed off and replaced with thinner lighter strands as more dense ones fall out and are replaced by finer ones.
Also affecting the intensity of a treatment is your skin color and type. Darker skin absorbs heat more effectively, which may make the procedure warmer for darker-haired individuals; however, light or dark hair typically won’t notice an adjustment during their process.
Finally, when scheduling your treatment it is crucial that sun exposure be limited or sunscreen worn as this can compromise its efficacy and cause discomfort to you as well as spurring backgrowth of hair that was removed earlier. Direct sunlight may cause temporary burns which will increase discomfort levels further while its rays could even spur new regrowth of unwanted hairs that had previously been treated with electrolysis.
Are you ready to experience an easier, less painful way of eliminating unwanted hair? To get the ball rolling, book your free consultation at Radiance Advanced Skincare & Laser today. Our team of skincare professionals is on hand to discuss your skin type and hair texture to determine if we have an option that’s a suitable match – give yourself the summer without worry!
Area of Treatment
Laser hair removal uses laser beams of highly concentrated light that target pigments within your hair follicles and then destroy them, effectively stopping their ability to grow new hairs. This treatment typically requires four or five sessions and may initially cause some discomfort; however, with each subsequent visit it becomes less painful; unlike waxing or shaving which have side effects or ingrown hairs.
Laser hair removal varies in terms of pain. Areas with thinner skin tend to be more sensitive, such as upper lips or temples; as its energy penetrates these thinner layers, you might feel something similar to rubber bands snapping against your face.
Other areas, like legs or backs, do not need as much numbing cream; for instance, legs and backs do not. Neck treatment with laser can be especially painful due to thicker and darker hair that presents more of a target for the laser than other facial or body areas.
Some individuals may experience reddening of the skin following treatment. This typically subsides within hours; applying cold compresses may help, or using aloe vera gel may provide comfort relief.
If you’re considering laser hair removal, be sure to find a clinic with top-of-the-line equipment and is reliable – this can make a significant difference to how much pain you experience both during and after treatment.
Before and after laser hair removal, it is also wise to avoid tanning beds or sun lamps that increase the risk of blistering and scarring. Furthermore, it is crucial that you follow your provider’s aftercare instructions, such as using moisturizer regularly in order to keep skin from becoming scaly or irritated, which could prevent permanent changes to its tone and color.
Numbing Cream
Numbing cream can help alleviate laser hair removal pain. Apply it directly to the treatment area prior to each session and allow 30 minutes for it to take effect; use thick layers for maximum effectiveness; use only creams containing at least 5% lidocaine as this is the maximum allowed without needing a valid prescription.
There are various numbing creams on the market, so find one that best meets your skin type and needs. If you have sensitive skin, search for one without fragrance or added colorants as this will ensure faster absorption into your skin and no lingering residue left behind.
Some numbing creams contain chemical “drivers” to speed the penetration of active ingredients into your skin quickly, making the numbing process more effective and allowing you to complete treatment faster. This makes the time between each treatment session significantly shorter.
Before applying numbing cream, always ensure to clean the area carefully with soap and water to remove any dirt or oil that has built up, wearing gloves to protect your hands from its contents. Follow any directions given for the particular brand of numbing cream you are using – many require covering it with plastic wrap to facilitate absorption and speed up numbing process.
Once your numbing cream has taken effect, it is time for laser treatment. A light beam will be pulsed into each hair follicle until its destruction – thus stopping further hair production – occurs. The entire procedure usually only lasts a few minutes depending on which area needs treating.
Before your laser treatment, it is recommended that you refrain from waxing, plucking or any other methods of hair removal for six weeks prior. This will allow the laser to target hair roots more effectively; furthermore, sun exposure should also be limited at least for six weeks both prior and following therapy in order to protect skin health and ensure optimal results from your laser session.
