Before your first laser treatment, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Avoid sun exposure and tanning prior to laser sessions as this could cause your skin to form unsightly pigmentation patches that will hinder effective results.
Pain levels vary depending on which body part is being treated, with thick or coarse hair feeling more sensitive when the laser pulses against them. Topical numbing cream may be applied, although many patients do not require this.
The Face
Laser hair removal is a quick, efficient way to permanently rid oneself of unwanted facial and body hair. Many find that laser treatment is superior to more traditional means such as razors, hot wax and bleaching in terms of speed, comfort and effectiveness; unlike these traditional approaches, however, laser doesn’t harm surrounding skin while it does cause some discomfort.
Hair type and location play an integral role in how much pain will be experienced during laser treatment, with men and women with dense dark hair likely to feel more discomfort than those with lighter hues such as blonde. Furthermore, thickness plays an influential role.
Laser therapy involves emitting an intense burst of light that targets pigment in hair follicles to destroy them and stop further hair growth. With repeated sessions, more hairs will become targeted each time while treatment will become less painful over time.
In order to alleviate your discomfort during laser treatments, shaving the area 24 hours prior to your appointment can greatly reduce heat generated from laser therapy and make your experience more comfortable.
Use topical numbing cream from a drugstore before your laser treatments to reduce pain levels to around 10/10 for the duration of treatment. This should reduce discomfort significantly.
Avoid applying lotions, ointments, makeup or any other products directly onto treated areas; such substances could interfere with how the laser treats the skin and lead to burns, discoloration or other complications. In addition, it is strongly suggested that after laser treatments have taken place and between scheduled sessions you apply a thick layer of sunscreen on all treated areas for best results.
If the pain associated with laser hair removal has made you hesitate, know that most people find it no more painful than shaving or waxing. In sensitive areas such as bikini lines and face, some additional discomfort may arise but its results make the effort well worth your while.
The Neck
The neck is often identified as the most sensitive area for laser hair removal. This may be attributed to dense concentration of hair in this region or female individuals having more sensitivities here.
Laser hair removal treatments utilize intense beams of high-energy light that are directed toward pigments located deep within hair follicles beneath the skin’s surface, in order to absorb their color and disabsorb the follicle from growing back. Patients who have dark hair and olive or darker skin will experience more discomfort as the light must penetrate further in order to disable its function.
An experienced technician will ensure the comfort of their patient when using laser technology to remove unwanted hair from their necks. They will protect their skin using cooling systems while increasing laser power as necessary if sensation occurs during laser hair removal.
Another way to make the procedure more comfortable is applying topical anesthetic directly onto the area being treated. While this takes more time, it can drastically decrease pain levels during and after the procedure.
Keep in mind that everyone’s tolerance levels vary when it comes to laser hair removal treatments, especially laser hair removal treatments using top of the range machines. While some might experience minor pinches that are tolerable, others might become inflamed. Therefore, finding a clinic using such devices could make all the difference!
Selecting an ideal time and date to undergo laser hair removal can also make a difference. For those with sensitive skin, waiting until after their period can help alleviate pain receptor activation during menstruation and enhance results.
Before beginning treatment, it is also wise to avoid shaving or waxing in the weeks prior to your procedure. Shaving can disrupt hair follicles, so it is wiser to wait until your skin has returned to its natural hue before getting any sort of procedure done. However, if shaving your legs prior to your procedure becomes necessary it should be done very lightly for best results.
The Bikini
Are You A Woman Who Wears Bikinis? Chances are, yes! Bikinis have become one of the defining pieces of beachwear since French designer Louis Reard launched his initial string bikini at Piscine Molitor Swimming Pool in Parisian in 1946, apparently inspired by sunbathers of St Tropez who rolled down their high-waisted swimsuits for tanning purposes. Now an iconic summer staple and painful laser hair removal site all at once – these items remain an integral part of summer.
Although pain levels vary depending on who’s having their procedure done, most find the experience uncomfortable. This is likely due to thinner skin in areas around the face and bikini area being more sensitive. Luckily, most have high pain thresholds so the procedure may not be as intensely painful than it seems at first.
Medical spas in Los Angeles typically apply numbing cream to lips, neck and bikini areas prior to laser treatments in order to minimize discomfort from laser treatments. Unfortunately, however, such strong medication should never be applied directly on chest or back areas due to potential risks posed by this approach. If you elect not to receive the numbing treatment via this route then your bikini area could likely feel extremely painful as a result of having its skin scraped and damaged from these attempts at rejuvenation.
Legs tend to be less painful than other areas due to thicker skin. However, depending on your sensitivity level there may be certain sections that hurt more during laser hair removal sessions, such as inner thighs versus calves.
Arms can also prove more challenging for laser hair removal sessions due to thicker skin than faces, tummies or legs and often being covered with sweat that makes targeting hair follicles even harder for laser technology.
Back treatments tend to be easier due to shoulder and upper back hair being abundant enough for laser removal. However, due to thicker skin in certain spots on the back having too much hair for efficient targeting during sessions of laser hair removal.
The Arms
Laser treatment for unwanted hair removal is a safe and effective alternative to shaving and waxing, although it does involve some discomfort. Laser hair removal uses highly-concentrated beams of light to destroy hair follicles and delay or inhibit future growth, with clients most often opting for treatments on their faces (chin, upper lip, sideburns), bikini area, underarms or legs; arms may be more painful due to skin thickness and other factors.
Laser treatments work by targeting pigment in hair follicles, making it more effective on darker hues. Unfortunately, however, darker skin tones tend to be more sensitive to laser treatment; it’s therefore advised that clients planning laser hair removal treatments on the body use numbing cream beforehand – it has been found to reduce pain levels up to 3/10 and allow your session to run more quickly as the numbing agent takes effect.
Your best chance at making laser hair removal sessions less painful is staying hydrated and avoiding caffeine before an appointment. Caffeine can tighten muscles and activate pain receptors, increasing discomfort during any laser therapy treatment session.
The chest and stomach are among the least painful areas for laser hair removal due to having thicker skin than other sensitive regions of the body. It’s important to keep in mind, though, that everyone’s tolerance for pain varies, so some individuals may still find this area slightly irritating even with thicker skin. As with upper arm areas – many patients describe them as feeling like snapping an elastic band!
Laser hair removal may not be any more painful than other popular methods like waxing or depilatory products; however, its long-term benefits make it an attractive option. To reduce discomfort and irritation during and after laser hair removal sessions, always exfoliate prior to an appointment and hydrate afterward with soothing lotion for healthy and comfortable results.
