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It works exactly like it sounds – intense light is pulsed to the hair follicle, which disrupts hair growth. While the mechanism of action is similar to laser hair removal, it is less powerful and takes more sessions to get the desired result. Most people have maintenance laser treatments every 4 to 6 weeks, but it differs from person to person. Ask your dermatologist for guidance on when it’ll be safe for you to have follow-up treatments. Facial hair removal is a common concern for many individuals, whether it’s addressing unwanted hair on the upper lip, chin, or cheeks. While the facial skin is generally more resilient than other areas of the body, certain regions may still be sensitive to laser treatment.
Medicate Prior to the Appointment
Each pulse of the laser takes a fraction of a second and can treat many hairs at the same time. The laser can treat an area approximately the size of a quarter every second. Small areas such as the upper lip can be treated in less than a minute, and large areas, such as the back or legs, may take up to an hour. Laser hair removal is one of the most commonly done cosmetic procedures in the U.S. Laser hair removal tends to be most painful on delicate areas of skin with lots of nerve endings, like the armpits, upper lips, or bikini line.
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Laser hair removal may be painful on your more sensitive areas
Plus, they're considered cosmetic devices, not medical, which means they aren't held to the same standards as professional tools. Laser hair removal is considered a safe procedure when done by a licensed professional. However, it’s not completely without risk, and you might experience some pain depending on which part of the body you’re getting treated.
Is Laser Hair Removal Painful, and Can You Make it Hurt Less?
In order to avoid potentially uncomfortable side effects, Dr. Malik recommends doing your research before selecting a place to get the treatment done. “It is vital to see someone with an in-depth knowledge of the skin and which lasers are okay for specific skin types, as not all lasers are appropriate for laser hair removal,” he says. During laser hair removal, a laser emits a light that is absorbed by the pigment (melanin) in the hair.
Additionally, Dr. Malik notes that even after your treatments, you may find that you need an annual treatment as a touch-up. It’s unlikely that treatments will target all the hairs in their growth phase. Some hair will grow back, but it’s usually lighter and thinner than before. Your skin might be red, swollen and a little painful after laser hair removal. Don’t expose the treated area to natural or artificial sunlight. You should be able to go back to normal activities right away.
Schedule the Procedure Around Your Period
Use of this website and any information contained herein is governed by the Healthgrades User Agreement. The content on Healthgrades does not provide medical advice. Always consult a medical provider for diagnosis and treatment. Treating a small area, such as the upper lip, might take only a few minutes. Treating a larger area, such as the back, might take more than an hour. Scars may also form if people do not care for the treated area correctly afterward.
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And let’s be honest–you may already feel poorly, and the side effects of laser hair removal won’t help. Since your skin will be sensitive after laser hair removal, your physician will recommend that you avoid getting direct sun exposure. You should avoid the sun for 1 month before the procedure to 1 month afterward. After this time, apply sunscreen to the area of treatment every day. Wet a clean, soft washcloth with cool water and place it on the treated area for several minutes at a time.
The hairs will eventually grow back, though they are often finer, lighter, and less likely to be noticed than before. By taking care of the treated area after laser removal, such as by using a moisturizer, a person may prevent any lasting issues from this treatment. If you have darker skin, your doctor may prescribe skin bleachingcream.
Shaving
This treatment may also be ideal for areas of the body that are difficult to shave or wax. According to the Cleveland Clinic, these IPL and other devices do work to remove unwanted hair, but it often takes many sessions, and the results are rarely permanent. IPL devices are generally safe, and they have been approved by the FDA for hair removal. One thing that may help no matter your personal tolerances is applying ice. Cold compresses can reduce inflammation, which is indicated by redness and swelling.
The lasers only penetrate the skin and do not reach or affect any other organs. Laser hair removal is usually safe, even in sensitive areas such as the groin. After the first treatment, many people will only be hair-free for a few months.
Shave the area that will be treated two to three days before a treatment. Laser hair removal treatments won’t work on areas where the hair is longer than a grain of rice. After treatment begins, avoid waxing, tweezing and plucking hair in the treated areas. In the weeks leading up to your procedure, avoid tanning beds and stay out of the sun as much as possible.
The light energy is converted to heat, which damages the tube-shaped sacs within the skin (hair follicles) that produce hairs. Laser hair removal is safe and effective for most people when performed correctly. It may take multiple treatments to remove unwanted hair completely, and permanent hair removal is not always guaranteed. An experienced, board certified professional will work to reduce side effects from laser hair removal by using the right types of lasers for your skin and hair color or type. They will also ask you about your medical history and any medications you take that might cause adverse reactions. A rare risk is that laser hair removal can end up having the opposite effect and cause increased hair growth.
Areas with thicker skin and fewer nerves, like the legs, arms, and back, tend to hurt less. Discuss your overall pain tolerance with your provider, and ask them about methods they can use to decrease your risk. Options include numbing agents, icing prior to treatment, and chill tips on lasers.
It’s also worth noting that some people might not notice enough hair reduction after their first session. “It is important to realize it takes multiple treatments, ranging from five to 10,” says Dr. Evans. You might notice redness and swelling for the first few hours after laser hair removal. Most people see about a 10% to 25% reduction in hair growth after the first treatment. After all your treatments, you may not have new hair growth for several months or years. Again, there is no evidence that laser hair removal causes infertility.
After enough treatments, it may stop growing back altogether. Just before the procedure, the hair that will be undergoing treatment will be trimmed to a few millimeters above the skin surface. Usually, the technician will apply a topical numbing medicine minutes before the procedure to help with the sting of the laser pulses. They'll also adjust the laser equipment according to the color, thickness, and location of your hair being treated, as well as your skin color.
If you have light skin and dark hair, you will likely see good results from laser hair removal that can last much longer than other hair removal methods. Like your skin and arms, the stomach tends to have thicker skin, so laser hair removal doesn’t hurt here as much. Back laser treatments can hurt as much as the bikini line or underarms due to the sheer number of hairs in this area. But it totally depends on the area of your body you're wanting to be hair-free. The bikini line is a common area for laser hair removal, particularly for individuals seeking long-term hair reduction in preparation for swimsuit season or intimate grooming. However, due to the delicate nature of the skin in this area and the proximity to sensitive nerve endings, some individuals may experience increased sensitivity during treatment.
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