How to Prevent Laser Hair Removal Pain
There are several factors that can have an effect on the amount of laser hair removal pain you experience.
Depending on the area, the amount of hair, and the intensity of the laser, there may be an element of pain involved with this type of treatment.
The laser on skin has been compared to being repeatedly snapped with a hot elastic band.
Many people want to know if it is more or less painful than a tattoo, but it is a much different feeling and can't really be compared.
There are several things you can do to help reduce this pain during your treatment.
TIP #1 Topical numbing creams (ie.
Emla, Lidocaine, NumbFast, Dr.
Numb) may be applied to the area prior to lasering as they will not change the effectiveness of the treatment.
Make sure to time the application appropriately as you don't want it to wear off by the time the lasering starts and some may also take a while to kick in.
Many numbing creams recommend applying 20 or 30 minutes prior but all creams are different.
Be sure to read and follow the directions accordingly.
This is by far the most popular method of preventing any laser hair removal pain.
TIP #2 Bringing an icepack to a session and holding it on the area for about 5 - 10 minutes prior to being lasered can also help numb the area if you do not have any numbing cream.
TIP #3 A lot of lasers come with air attachments that blow a stream of cold air directly onto your skin while the laser is in action.
This is used to soothe the area and help reduce pain.
If your selected laser type has a cold air attachment, a trick is to ask the technician to blow the cold air all over the area for a minute or two prior to lasering to help number the area even more.
If the area gets too cold, get them to stop and proceed with the lasering immediately.
TIP #4 Ask the technician to experiment with pace.
Technicians all have their own technique when it comes to using the laser.
Some perform in quick bursts, while others use a slow, continuous pace.
One technique may feel better on your skin than the next.
Determining what pace feels the best for you can help reduce laser hair removal pain.
TIP #5 For the ladies, try not to schedule your session when you're premenstrual or menstruating as your hormones may greatly increase your sensitivity to pain.
TIP #6 If the laser hair removal pain becomes intolerable, you can easily ask the technician to stop.
They can give you some time to recuperate before you are ready to proceed with the rest of the procedure.
Regardless of what method(s) you choose to help eliminate laser hair removal pain, it is definitely worth a shot.
Keep in mind that the 'snapping hot elastic band' sensation only lasts for a millisecond while the laser is making contact with the skin and is produced at regular intervals.
The duration of the treatment depends on the size of the area which can range from a matter of seconds up to 30 minutes.
After the treatment, you may experience some general soreness over the entire area that won't last long.
Try several of these methods if you can to prevent any pain.
The more comfortable you are, the more you will enjoy your laser hair removal experience.
Depending on the area, the amount of hair, and the intensity of the laser, there may be an element of pain involved with this type of treatment.
The laser on skin has been compared to being repeatedly snapped with a hot elastic band.
Many people want to know if it is more or less painful than a tattoo, but it is a much different feeling and can't really be compared.
There are several things you can do to help reduce this pain during your treatment.
TIP #1 Topical numbing creams (ie.
Emla, Lidocaine, NumbFast, Dr.
Numb) may be applied to the area prior to lasering as they will not change the effectiveness of the treatment.
Make sure to time the application appropriately as you don't want it to wear off by the time the lasering starts and some may also take a while to kick in.
Many numbing creams recommend applying 20 or 30 minutes prior but all creams are different.
Be sure to read and follow the directions accordingly.
This is by far the most popular method of preventing any laser hair removal pain.
TIP #2 Bringing an icepack to a session and holding it on the area for about 5 - 10 minutes prior to being lasered can also help numb the area if you do not have any numbing cream.
TIP #3 A lot of lasers come with air attachments that blow a stream of cold air directly onto your skin while the laser is in action.
This is used to soothe the area and help reduce pain.
If your selected laser type has a cold air attachment, a trick is to ask the technician to blow the cold air all over the area for a minute or two prior to lasering to help number the area even more.
If the area gets too cold, get them to stop and proceed with the lasering immediately.
TIP #4 Ask the technician to experiment with pace.
Technicians all have their own technique when it comes to using the laser.
Some perform in quick bursts, while others use a slow, continuous pace.
One technique may feel better on your skin than the next.
Determining what pace feels the best for you can help reduce laser hair removal pain.
TIP #5 For the ladies, try not to schedule your session when you're premenstrual or menstruating as your hormones may greatly increase your sensitivity to pain.
TIP #6 If the laser hair removal pain becomes intolerable, you can easily ask the technician to stop.
They can give you some time to recuperate before you are ready to proceed with the rest of the procedure.
Regardless of what method(s) you choose to help eliminate laser hair removal pain, it is definitely worth a shot.
Keep in mind that the 'snapping hot elastic band' sensation only lasts for a millisecond while the laser is making contact with the skin and is produced at regular intervals.
The duration of the treatment depends on the size of the area which can range from a matter of seconds up to 30 minutes.
After the treatment, you may experience some general soreness over the entire area that won't last long.
Try several of these methods if you can to prevent any pain.
The more comfortable you are, the more you will enjoy your laser hair removal experience.
Source...