Talking About Spas and Salons

How It Feels To Undergo Laser Hair Removal

by Colleen Sanders

If you're considering laser hair removal, you may be leery about what to expect when it comes to pain and discomfort. It may help to know that laser hair removal is one of the most common cosmetic procedures done, and it is often performed on sensitive areas of the body. It's not painful to go through, but you will feel some sensations. Here's what to expect.

Your Skin Is Numbed First

You may have a numbing gel applied to your skin before the treatment begins. The gel isn't always used, but if you have a low pain tolerance, it might be an option for you. It takes several minutes for the anesthetic to take effect. Your skin won't be completely numb, but the gel makes you feel more comfortable during the procedure. Other options for numbing include using ice or a special device on the laser wand that emits a blast of cold air right before the laser zaps your skin.

You May Feel Stinging Sensations

Before the laser treatment begins, you'll put on eyewear to protect your eyes. You'll be able to relax in comfort during the procedure, and you'll be positioned according to the area of your body being treated. A laser wand is used to remove your hair. It is applied to a small area of skin at a time. It treats several hairs with each zap of the laser, so the wand will be positioned several times, and you'll be given multiple zaps. You might feel a stinging sensation with each zap, but it isn't so painful that it's difficult to endure. You may also notice an odor of burning hair, which is to be expected and completely normal. If you're having facial hair removed over your lip or on your chin, the session may take just a few minutes. If you're removing hair on your legs, the treatment might last an hour or more.

Your Skin Might Feel Like It Has A Sunburn

When the treatment is over, your skin may be red and feel like it has a slight sunburn. You'll want to keep the treated area out of the sun to prevent complications and to prevent worsening of the discomfort. You should be able to go back to work right away, but you may need to wait a day to start wearing makeup if you had hair removed from your face. Recovering from laser hair removal is quick. The degree of redness and tenderness depends on the area being treated, the color of your skin, and the characteristics of your skin and hair.

Although you might experience some discomfort as you go through the laser hair removal process, you'll probably find it is well worth it to be free from shaving and plucking hairs. Most any type of hair removal has some degree of discomfort and the good thing about removing your hair with a laser is that the treatment either slows hair growth dramatically or stops it altogether.

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