Laser Hair Removal Pain and How You Can Reduce It

Introduction

Laser hair removal is a popular procedure for people who want to get rid of their unwanted hair. Compared to other methods, this method is more effective in permanently removing unwanted hair all over the body.

There are however some concerns about the pain. In this article, we will introduce effective ways to prevent the pain before and after laser hair removal. Stay with us.

What is laser hair removal, and is it safe?

During this procedure, the device emits light which targets the hair follicles. The radiation then burns the hair follicles by producing controlled heat that is absorbed by the hair melanin. So, feeling a little discomfort or pain is not unlikely or out of the ordinary.

The level of sensitivity to the pain varies from person to person. Usually, people will feel more pain the first time because there is more hair on the skin, making the process more painful.

Some may fear that laser hair removal could cause cancer, or that it has a lot of side effects and risks. But according to numerous scientific studies, this procedure is safe and without serious complications.

How to reduce laser hair removal pain?

Since this technique employs heat and laser beams, the process will cause a little pain. But it depends on many different factors, and is mostly quite mild. There are a few ways to reduce laser hair removal pain, which we will talk about.

Get prepared before laser hair removal

Aside from the regular advice your dermatologist will give you, try to prepare yourself before your first laser hair removal session by doing your research and choosing the right center, planning your treatment in advance, and taking care of your skin with the right skincare routine before and after laser hair removal.

What not to do before the first treatment

• Laser hair removal pain is completely tolerable. In addition, the treatment process is very quick. At the end of each session, the patient may feel some warmth, itchiness, or irritation at the treatment area, but these side effects are perfectly normal and will disappear in 20 minutes to 2 hours.
• People with light skin and dark, thick hair can expect to get the best results; the more the contrast, the better the outcome. So, you’d better avoid tanning your skin a month prior to your laser hair removal appointment. You must also avoid waxing or bleaching your facial or body hair six weeks before the procedure.
• Drugs such as Accutane make the skin more sensitive to UV rays from the laser, causing blisters or discoloration of the skin. It is usually advisable to stop taking these drugs.
• Another important point to consider is the experience of the laser operator. It is recommended to choose an experienced dermatologist and operator to reduce laser hair removal pain and the occasional side-effects.
• The parts of the body that will be exposed to the laser beams should be cleaned before treatment. It is better to take a bath before your appointment; just do not use moisturizers or any other products afterward.

What to do after the laser hair removal

Laser hair removal is a type of heat damage, therefore the skin on the targeted area may be slightly inflamed after the procedure. Generally, your skin needs 48 hours to fully heal, so you’d better not opt for heavy exercise right after your treatment. In addition, peeling, scrubbing, washing, and rubbing the skin post-treatment will irritate it.

In order to reduce laser hair removal pain, avoid steam rooms and hot water for up to 48 hours. Also, the affected area should not be exposed to direct sunlight, and high SPF sunscreen should be used freely to prevent pigment changes in the treated area.

As mentioned earlier, one of the side effects of laser hair removal is being more prone to sunburn, which might last for several days. Should this occure, you can always use cold compresses to soothe your skin.

Conclusion

Laser hair removal permanently reduces hair density, but it does not completely eliminate unwanted hair. One or two sessions will not give you complete and permanent results. Laser hair removal sessions should be scheduled regularly until desired result is achieved.

If you’re still worried about the pain, it might be good to know that there are cooling devices and built-in cooling systems that keep the skin nice and cool during, and after treatment, and  help alleviate the pain.