Does Laser Hair Removal Hurt?
By Aaliyah Albo
If going hairless is the ultimate goal, then laser hair removal is a pretty sweet deal. Think about it: after going through the prescribed number of treatments, which can last as little as ten minutes, you’ll be able to trade the weekly shaving sessions or monthly wax appointment for a touch-up session once every few years.
Laser hair removal treatment is a common cosmetic procedure done by both men and women to get rid of undesirable hair on a long-term basis. It works by temporarily disabling hair follicles from being able to grow new strands of hair. While this increasingly popular method isn’t 100 percent permanent, the results of laser hair removal treatments can last for several weeks if not years. This effective treatment may also be ideal for areas of the body that are difficult to wax or shave.
As we mentioned, it’s a pretty sweet deal, but you might be wondering about any downsides - more specifically, how much a laser hair removal session might hurt. The treatment can be painful depending on what area you are having treated, as well as your own tolerance to pain. Be sure to discuss any concerns that you may have with the laser hair removal specialist.
How Much Does Laser Hair Removal Hurt?
Laser hair removal treatment is designed to target hair follicles with tiny, high-heat, monochromatic beams of light. While you may not feel the heat from the laser, you may feel like your skin is being snapped with a rubber band or poked by a tiny warm pinprick. You may also experience slight discomfort after the procedure, such as slight swelling and redness similar to that of a mild sunburn.
Laser hair removal treatment may also feel painful to some degree - how painful depends on the part of the body that’s undergoing treatment. The rule of thumb is, the more sensitive the skin is to begin with, the more painful it will likely be. Although laser hair removal treatment can be done on almost any area of the body, the most common treated areas are the legs, arms/underarms, face, bikini line, and back/stomach.
Does laser hair removal treatment hurt on legs?
Laser hair removal treatment hurts slightly on the legs compared to other areas of the body. This is because the skin on your legs tends to be much thicker than more sensitive areas like your face or bikini line. However, there are some portions of the legs that may hurt more during the treatment depending on sensitivity such as your inner thighs compared to your shins.
Does laser hair removal treatment hurt on underarms/arms?
The underarms are one of the most painful areas to get treated because the skin is so thin. However, this isn’t necessarily the case for the rest of your arms where your skin is thicker, and the pain is much milder.
Does laser hair removal treatment hurt on the face?
The answer really boils down to which part of the face is undergoing laser treatment. Like the underarms, laser treatment tends to be much more painful around the upper lip because the skin is thin. Pain around the forehead and cheeks are much milder.
Does laser hair removal treatment hurt on the bikini line?
Next to the underarms, the bikini line also tends to be a painful area to get treated. It’s said to feel similar to getting waxed, but the difference is that laser hair removal treatment takes more time per session. However, you might feel that the discomfort is worth the long-term results.
Does laser hair removal treatment hurt on the back/stomach?
Similar to your legs, the stomach tends to have thicker skin, so laser hair removal treatment doesn’t hurt in this area too much. This is not the case with your back, though. Believe it or bot, laser treatments on your back can hurt as much as the underarms or bikini line due to the sheer number of hairs in this area - especially for men!
As we mentioned, everyone is different, and the pain felt during laser hair removal treatment will vary from person to person. What hurts your bestie may not hurt you and vice versa.
Here are some tips to make your laser hair removal experience a more pleasant one.
Prepare your body. If you want to reduce the amount of pain felt during your laser session, preparing your body before you go is essential. It can help you to relax and reduce the amount of stress you may feel before and during the treatment.
One simple way you can prepare your body is to get adequate sleep the night before. Sleep regulates your body’s pain sensors, which can help with how much pain you experience during the treatment.
Another great way to prepare yourself for your laser session is by staying hydrated. Recent research has found that dehydration can make you more sensitive to pain. Drink a gallon of water before going into your laser hair removal treatment to make sure your body is fully hydrated.
Lastly, prepare by taking into account your “time of the month” for those of you who are menstruating. Do not schedule a laser hair removal session before or during your period because it can enhance your body’s pain receptors making them more active.
Choose a pain reliever. Choosing a good pain reliever for during and after the treatment can make quite a difference in how you respond to treatment. If you are unsure of what to take, ask your doctor for help! Usually, an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen taken 30 minutes before your procedure will do the trick to help ease any discomfort. After the treatment, an ice pack can genuinely do wonders for any irritation you may feel, as well.
Post-treatment care. After your laser hair removal session, you should make sure you properly care for the area that received treatment. Try to take it easy and wear loose-fitting clothes, so they don’t irritate your skin. If you like to exercise, keep in mind that the treated area should stay clean and free of any sweat, especially in areas such as the bikini line and underarms. Be sure never to scratch the area that was treated because it can cause irritation.
Do at-home laser devices hurt?
Great question. At-home laser hair removal devices are becoming increasingly popular as an easy and effective way for users to achieve velvety-smooth, hair-free skin. While all products are different, many people will tell you that most of these at-home devices are much more tolerable than getting professionally lasered.
If you decide to go this route for your unwanted hair removal needs, we suggest purchasing from an honest and reputable company like KENZZI.
The KENZZI IPL Hair Removal Handset is not only easy to use but virtually painless, offering oh-so-silky smooth, hair-free skin, month after month, year after year. If you want to avoid the pain that is sometimes associated with professional laser hair removal, look no further because KENZZI can help.
Recap
So, does laser hair removal treatment hurt? The answer is: it depends.
Everyone is unique, and experiences pain differently.
As we mentioned, what your best gal pal finds painful might not be so painful to you. However, you will find areas where the skin is most thin, like the bikini line and underarms to be more painful than areas of the skin that are thick like the legs and stomach.
Be sure to stay hydrated and take an over-the-counter pain reliever before your laser hair removal session to help make the treatment more bearable.
If you are still nervous about the pain, try a great at-home laser device like The KENZZI IPL Hair Removal Handset - you will thank us later!
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