• 1. Does Laser Hair Removal Hurt?
• 2. Factors Affecting Pain: What to Expect
• 3. Laser Hair Removal at Home
• 4. Tips for Minimizing Discomfort
• 5. FAQs

Does Laser Hair Removal Hurt?

Without sugar coating, the truth is that laser hair removal can hurt. Most users say that getting laser hair removal feels like getting stung by a small rubber band over and over again. There can also be a little bit of heat during the process, although it shouldn’t burn.

  Once the treatment is over, the pain dissipates pretty much immediately, although the skin may still sting a little if it gets irritated.

  Laser hair removal won’t hurt for everyone, though, and a lot of people who undergo this treatment discover that it’s much less painful than they expected. Anticipating the pain before that first session is often worse than the actual laser hair removal itself!

What Factors can Affect Pain: What to Expect

Whether your laser hair removal is painful or not depends on a lot of factors, from the type of machine used to where you are in your menstrual cycle. Here are all of the key factors you should be aware of.

  Machine:Some laser hair removal machines are more painful than others. Diode, in particular, might hurt a little more than alexandrite laser. That said, many machines today include cooling features that help immediately reduce the pain after treatment, making for a more comfortable treatment regardless of the type of laser.

   Skin tone: Those with a deeper skin tone may find that laser hair removal is a little more painful compared to those with lighter skin tones.

  Intensity level: Most laser hair removal machines have several settings - the lower settings will usually hurt less than the higher ones.

  Where you are in the process: Laser hair removal will hurt more at the beginning, when you still have more hair to address. With time, every new treatment will hurt less and less as the laser’s effects take hold.

  Treatment area: Some areas will hurt more than others, depending on skin sensitivity and hair density. For example, the arms tend to hurt less while the face or bikini area will likely hurt more.

  Hormonal fluctuations: Especially for women, the level of pain you experience might be impacted by your hormones. You may find that the closer you are to your period, the more likely it is that the laser hair removal will hurt.

Laser Hair Removal at Home

While we usually think of laser hair removal as a professional treatment, nowadays you can also do it by yourself at home! Rather than utilizing lasers, home devices usually rely on intense pulsed light (IPL) which is a broad-spectrum light that’s safer to use by yourself.

  Compared to professional treatments, home IPL hair removal devices are usually even less painful. Depending on the intensity level and the area you’re treating, you may even find that you don’t experience any pain.

  Plus, over time, home hair removal devices are a much more cost-effective option for reducing hair growth. Eversmooth, Evertone’s IPL Hair Removal Device, costs as little as $139, which is less than a single full-body appointment for laser hair removal!

Tips for Minimizing laser hair removal pain and Discomfort

Both before and after your appointment, following these tips will help ensure that you suffer as little pain, discomfort, or irritation as possible.

• Book at the right time: Try to book your appointment for when your body is least sensitive to pain. If you find that you’re more sensitive to pain during your period, make sure to book either well before or after it’s meant to occur.
• Shave 24 hours before your appointment: Shaving too soon before your treatment will leave your skin more sensitive, and increase your risk of pain.
• Avoid the sun: Make sure that your skin isn’t tan or sunburned at all, since any changes in your pigment can increase the risk of pain.
• Keep treatment temps low: If doing your own IPL, use a lower setting. If undergoing professional treatment, communicate with your provider to ensure they keep their equipment to a setting that doesn’t hurt.
• Try numbing cream: If you’re extremely sensitive to pain, you can apply a numbing cream prior to your treatment. Just note that it may not be appropriate or safe if applied over large areas.
• Cool showers: Avoiding heat after the treatment will help your skin return to normal more quickly. In fact, a cool shower can help calm any irritation or pain you’re experiencing.
• Skip heavy exercise: From hot yoga to running, it’s important to avoid anything that’ll raise your internal body temperature.