A few years ago I tried at-home laser hair removal devices for the first time and never looked back. At this point it’s hard to believe that I almost let the fear of pain stop me from ever trying the hair removal method.
It’s understandable to think that laser hair removal might hurt. Whether at-home or medical-grade, laser hair removal works by seeking out the pigment, or melanin, at the base of your hair follicle, says Ellen Marmur, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical in New York City. Once the laser locates the hair follicle root, which houses your hair’s stem cells, the laser then converts its light energy to heat, damaging the hair root, causing unwanted hair to fall out at the treated area.
Does at-home laser hair removal hurt?
While the heat from laser hair removal devices can cause some discomfort, it’s exceedingly minimal—especially if yours has a built-in cooling fan. Dr. Marmur compares the level of discomfort from the laser beam to a zinging feeling, similar to a needle prick or a rubber band snapping. But when we evaluated laser hair removal devices, all of our testers said they felt nothing more than a slight warmth or tingle.
During my first laser hair removal treatment, I truly braced myself for that first flash but was surprised to feel nothing more than a slightly warm sensation. Every once in a while, I experienced what can best be described as a quick, hot tingle. The pain level has never made me recoil or wince—and my pain tolerance can best be described as moderate.
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What about other types of lasers, like in-office treatments?
“I’ve had both in-office and at-home treatments, and I can say that while professional lasers are more powerful, they don’t necessarily feel worse,” says Ross Kopelman, MD, a hair transplant surgeon at Kopelman Hair Restoration in New York City and Palm Beach, Florida. “Most medical-grade lasers have built-in cooling devices, which help reduce discomfort, and in a professional setting, I can customize the settings to match a patient’s skin type and pain tolerance,” he explains. “Plus, when you’re in a clinic, you have access to anesthetics, like numbing creams, and expert techniques to help keep things as comfortable as possible.”
Does laser hair removal hurt more on certain areas of the body?
The most sensitive areas tend to be where the skin is thinnest or where there are more nerve endings, says Dr. Kopelman. “The upper lip, underarms, and bikini area are definitely on the more uncomfortable side, because the skin in those areas is delicate,” he says. “I also find that bony areas, like the ankles and shins, can be more sensitive because there’s less fat to absorb the impact of the laser pulses.”
I’ve used at-home laser hair removal devices to reduce hair growth on many areas of my body—armpits, legs, bikini line, and even my face—and in my experience, any slight discomfort is random. Sometimes I feel a slight zing on my leg, sometimes I feel it “down there,” and sometimes I don’t feel anything at all.
Does laser hair removal hurt more—or less—each time?
While the results of laser hair removal treatment are cumulative, any sensations or pain from these devices are not. You shouldn’t expect laser hair removal to hurt more as sessions go by. You may, however, become more comfortable with the process and understand what to expect, which may lessen any perception of pain.
Does laser hair removal hurt more than waxing?
I’ve had plenty of waxing treatments in the past to remove face (eyebrows and upper lip) and body hair (full Brazilians included!), and I can assure you that waxing hurts way more than laser hair removal. Not only does waxing hurt more in the moment, it’s also much more painful afterward. Even plucking is a more painful hair removal procedure, in my opinion!
Does laser hair removal hurt afterward?
There is little to no aftercare required with at-home laser hair removal, and your skin shouldn’t hurt post-treatment. A little pinkness or slight swelling—similar to that of a very mild sunburn—is not common but is normal, as are tiny goose-bump-like bumps, which are from the swelling of the injured follicles beneath the skin. A hydrating body lotion or a cool compress can help soothe skin if you experience any of these side effects, have especially sensitive skin, or have a low pain threshold, says Deborah Yu, MD, a physician at the Plastic Surgery Center in Shrewsbury, New Jersey. A cool compress or ice pack applied to the treatment area can also help.
Unwanted side effects include blisters, scabbing, hyperpigmentation, and hypopigmentation—usually the result of improper use, such as using a laser hair removal device as a method of hair reduction on a darker skin tone. If you experience any of these symptoms, let your doctor know right away and use a 1% cortisone cream on the area, says Dr. Marmur.
In these instances you should also avoid using exfoliating products for at least a day or two after the cosmetic procedure, says Dr. Kopelman. It’s also important to avoid sun exposure or tanning and use SPF (as always!), since the treatment can cause your skin to be more sensitive to the sun, he adds.
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