Do Laser Hair Removals Hurt

Laser hair removal has become increasingly popular as one of the only options for semi-permanent hair removal. Home units make it much more affordable and accessible. Not surprisingly, this makes it a desirable choice for many people who want to stop dealing with hair removal. 

However, one of the first questions you will probably ask about laser hair removal is whether it is painful. Here’s what you need to know about how laser hair removal feels and whether it will be a good option for you as far as pain.

How Painful is Laser Hair Removal?

Laser hair removal tends to be slightly painful, but not nearly as painful as waxing. The sensation is comparable to having a rubber band snapped against your skin. It will generally bother you more in sensitive parts of your skin like the bikini area and face and less on tougher areas like the legs and back.

Home Laser Hair Removal Vs. Removal in a Salon

As a rule, home laser removal is slightly less powerful and less painful than having laser hair removal done in a salon. Many people find that being in the comfort of their own home also makes it much more pleasant. 

Using ice before and after to numb the skin also reduces pain. In general, you can expect using a very high-quality home wand for laser hair removals will be less painful but still very effective over the course of treatment.

Is Laser Hair Removal More Painful for Some People than Other People?

Laser hair removal targets the melanin, or color pigment, in your hair follicles. If your skin is darker, and especially if it is the same shade as your hair, it is harder for the laser to target the hair follicles instead of the skin, which may make pain and burns more likely. If you have darker skin and want effective laser hair removal, be sure to seek out a well-certified technician who has the equipment necessary to target hair on darker skin.

Does Laser Hair Removal Work for Everybody?

Laser hair removal is not effective for people who have very light-colored hair, such as blond, white, gray, or red. This is because the laser targets the melanin in the hair follicle, and very light hair does not have this melanin. Laser hair removal may also become less effective after it has already achieved results for you since your hair will grow back thinner and lighter than before and may no longer respond to laser treatment. 

How to Have a Pain-Free Laser Hair Removal Experience

Any kind of laser hair removal will be associated with some kind of discomfort. Still, by following these tips, you can make it less likely that you will experience pain.

Relax

Often, we build up pain in our minds to be bigger than it is. If you’ve ever thought that the alcohol swab before a needle was the needle itself, you have given into this impulse. When you’re doing your home laser hair removal, put on some TV or music that you like, chat with a friend, or otherwise distract yourself so that you won’t focus on the sensation. You may find that you almost forget it is even happening.

Don’t do it More Than Recommended

Laser hair removal should be done every 4 to 6 weeks, depending on the unit you’re using and whether you’re doing it at home or at the dermatologist or salon. Some people who are using the home unit are tempted to do it more often to speed results. This is a mistake. 

Even if your skin seems to respond well to laser hair removal, doing it more often can have negative effects on your skin that you may not have anticipated. Furthermore, more frequent treatments are not likely to have the effect you want, since hair needs to be in an ideal state of growth to respond to the treatment. Therefore, regular monthly treatments are ideal.

Use a High-quality System

Whether you’re going to the salon, dermatologist, or doing it at home, make sure that’s the technology that is being used is of the highest possible quality. If you’re using a home unit, check the reviews to make sure that it has had positive results for other people. If you’re going to a dermatologist, check your credentials to ensure that they are properly licensed to give laser hair removal treatment.

Give Laser Hair Removal A Try

Many people find laser hair removal to be less painful than they anticipated. Different people have different experiences, but if you’ve ever experienced waxing, you will probably find laser hair removal to be a vast improvement. Many people find that the slight discomfort is well worth the long term hair removal results and the convenience of treating yourself at home with a quality home unit. 

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