Does Laser Hair Removal Hurt

More and more men and women are increasingly looking towards laser hair removal as a permanent solution to manage their unwanted body hair. However, for those who have not had the treatment before, it can be a little daunting. Often, whether the procedure will hurt is one of our first-time client’s main questions at Xanadu Med Spa.

How laser hair removal will feel for you can depend slightly on your personal pain tolerance level, alongside the sensitivity of the area you are treating. However, even in sensitive areas, although you may feel discomfort, generally, you should not be in pain during your treatment. If you are concerned about discomfort, there are steps you can take to ensure your session goes as smoothly as possible and your skin is primed for the treatment, as well as reducing discomfort during the session and afterward.

Mostly, individuals report that laser hair removal treatments are less painful than other hair removal methods, such as waxing, and result in less skin irritation after the procedure. After you complete your treatment course, you will need increasingly fewer top-up treatments as little to no hair regrows over time. In the long term, you will experience much less discomfort than other hair removal methods as you need fewer sessions and avoid the pain and irritation that comes with waxing, plucking, and shaving.

The highly experienced laser treatment professionals at Xanadu Med Spa are always available to discuss any questions or worries you have about laser hair removal treatments. Our team is on hand to help you prepare before the session and ensure you are comfortable and relaxed during your procedure.

Contact Xanadu Med Spa today at 970-591-7919 to book your free consultation.

The Laser Hair Removal Process

Laser hair removal treatment uses high-powered lasers to target and destroy hair follicles to reduce future hair growth. After a course of treatment, hair growth is significantly reduced, if not completely stopped. Any hair that does grow back will be thinner and finer. The amount of hair regrowth continually decreases over time with more laser removal sessions.

Although typically, laser hair removal works best on individuals with dark hair and light skin, technological advancements mean that most individuals are now able to achieve successful hair removal results, regardless of their hair type and skin tone.

There is no guarantee that laser hair removal will produce permanent results after the first treatment, and patients will often require additional top-ups that reduce in frequency as fewer hairs grow back. However, most patients experience up to a 90% reduction in hair regrowth following their treatment, or a permanent removal of hair completely.

What To Expect In A Laser Hair Removal Session

Once you arrive at your treatment session, your clinician will clean the treatment area and mark your skin with the area for the laser. They will also cover any tattoos, spots, and beauty marks you have to avoid the laser coming into contact with them. You will also be given goggles to wear to protect your eyes from the powerful laser. At Xanadu Med Spa, your clinician will ensure you are comfortable and ready to proceed before starting the treatment. Our friendly and highly experienced staff will put you at ease and ensure you have the most relaxing experience possible with us.

Once the treatment has started, you will feel the laser penetrating the hair follicles, but you should not be in pain as such. The laser can feel like a rubber band snapping against the skin or mosquito bites. Your clinician will regularly stop to check that you are okay, clean the area, and check the laser settings. If you have sensitive skin, your clinician will treat your skin in small sections to reduce discomfort and irritation. At Xanadu Med Spa, your comfort is our priority every step of the way.

The duration of each of your sessions will depend upon the size of the area you are treating. Small areas can be completed in as quickly as 15 minutes, larger areas such as the legs may take 30 minutes, and a full-body session can take up to 2 hours.

After Your Session

During laser hair removal, the laser uses heat to destroy the hair follicles. As such, some patients feel a warm sensation in their skin after their session, which can occasionally feel like a mild sunburn.

The laser Cutera Excel HR technology we use at Xanadu Med Spa has built-in cooling features to counteract some of the effects of heat on the treatment area. As a result, this reduces the likelihood of our clients feeling excess heat or irritation in their skin following their treatment.

How To Reduce Discomfort In Your Session

Patients can use a topical numbing cream to reduce the sensitivity of the area before their treatment if they are worried that they will find laser hair removal painful or uncomfortable.

After your session, if your skin feels warm or irritated from the laser, you can apply a cold compress to manage this. Also applying Aloe Vera gels can help to soothe your skin.

Potential Side Effects Of Laser Hair Removal

Side effects are typically rare after laser hair removal treatments. At Xanadu Med Spa, the risk of side effects is further reduced by the skill of the highly trained professionals in our team and our top-quality technology that minimizes skin irritation. Potential side effects some individuals experience include:

Irritation or a rash. The rash is sometimes slightly raised or can be similar to razor burn.
Dead hair shedding from the treated area, which can appear like stubble.
Warm feeling in the skin.
Discomfort and tender skin.
Redness in the treatment area.
Minor swelling.

How To Reduce Irritation After Laser Hair Removal

In addition to the potential discomfort during your laser hair removal session, irritation after the treatment can be uncomfortable. Not all patients experience skin irritation, but there are extra steps individuals can take to further reduce the likelihood of skin discomfort after their session. Some skin types are more prone to irritation after treatment than others. For example, individuals with darker skin tones may experience more discomfort for longer than patients with lighter skin tones.

Patients should avoid exercising, hot showers, and saunas for a minimum of 24 hours after their treatment.

Wear Loose Clothing

Wearing loose and comfortable clothing can help to avoid skin irritation following your laser hair removal session. Tight clothing can rub and create friction on the treated area and potentially make the skin inflamed. Similarly, tight clothing could rub off any lotion that was applied after your session to soothe and moisturize the skin.

Avoid Certain Skin Products

Certain skin products can be harsh on the skin and should not be used when the skin is overly sensitive, such as in the aftermath of a laser hair removal session. Avoid abrasive products, such as scrubs and harsh exfoliants after your treatment, and try to pat your skin dry as opposed to rubbing the skin for the following 48 hours. However, exfoliation can be beneficial to speed up hair shedding between 5-30 days after the treatment.

If your skin shows signs of irritation after your session, avoid makeup, lotions, fragrances, and deodorant for the first 24-48 hours following the treatment or until the irritation subsides. Harsher skin treatments, such as chemical peels, should be avoided before and after laser hair removal sessions.

Avoid Direct Sun Exposure

Direct sun exposure should be avoided both before and after your laser hair removal sessions. After treatment, the skin is particularly sensitive to sun exposure and should be protected. Sunscreen should be worn at all times throughout your laser treatment period and for up to 1 -2 months afterward to protect the skin and avoid irritation. To reduce the chance of dark or light spots, avoid sun exposure for 2 months.

Sensitive Areas For Laser Hair Removal

Some body areas are more sensitive than others when it comes to laser hair removal. Typically clients treating their arms and legs do not report much discomfort or sensitivity in those areas.

More sensitive areas for laser hair removal treatments include:

Upper lip.
Bikini line.
Underarms.
Face and chin.
Neck.

Is Laser Hair Removal Safe?

Laser hair removal treatments are completely approved as safe for use by the FDA. Laser treatments are safe to use on skin in any area of the body for permanent hair removal purposes, including sensitive areas. Pregnant women and individuals with extremely sensitive skin should not undergo laser hair removal procedures.

I Have A Rash And My Skin Is Sore. Should I Cancel My Laser Hair Removal Session?

It is important to alert your laser hair removal practitioner if you have any type of skin irritation before your session. If you have a rash or sunburn, likely, you will need to re-arrange your session for when your skin is no longer inflamed.

At Xanadu Med Spa, our clients’ safety and comfort are our top priorities, and we would not want to affect this by treating a client while their skin is irritated. If you have any concerns about going ahead with your booked laser removal session, speak to a Xanadu Med Spa staff member who can advise you on the best course of action for you and your skin.

Xanadu Med Spa: Friendly Laser Hair Removal Specialists

Although some patients may experience a little discomfort, laser hair removal should not be painful. Any discomfort can be managed with an attentive and skilled technician and topical numbing cream.

At Xanadu Med Spa, patient comfort and satisfaction is essential to how we work. If you are nervous about the potential pain of your treatment, our friendly staff are on hand in the lead up to your appointment and on the day of sessions to reassure you and ensure you have all the information required to be prepared for your treatment. During your session, your technician will go at your pace and adapt your treatment to account for any discomfort and irritation.

As the leading med spa in Northern Colorado, our luxury service places our client’s comfort at the core of our values. Every team member at Xanadu Med Spa is expertly trained to ensure our clients receive the best service and all their concerns and worries are listened to and acted upon to deliver the best experience possible with us.

If you have concerns about laser hair removal and would like more information about how laser hair removal feels, our friendly team at Xanadu Med Spa is always happy to help.

Schedule a free consultation to discuss any of your concerns or queries about the laser hair removal process by calling us at 970-591-7919.