Does laser hair removal hurt?

Laser hair removal is a perfect way to eliminate unwanted hair. Laser hair removal can be treated on practically every part of the body. The eyebrows and the area between the brows are two of the only areas that cannot be treated with laser hair removal because of the potential damage to the eyes from the laser. Common areas for laser hair removal include: the legs, bikini hair, neck, chin, upper lip, chest, back, shoulders, under arms, arms, and buttocks.

Laser hair removal is the solution for unwanted hair for people that have been using temporary hair removal methods. Shaving, waxing, plucking, and depilatory creams all provide temporary hair removal solutions for people. The problem with waxing and tweezing is the pain that an individual undergoes for hair removal. The wax removal option is perhaps one of the most painful procedures because it leaves the skin red and the patient endures a painful stinging feeling. Some waxing professionals have even pulled off the top layer of skin when they are waxing a patient.

Unlike the other procedures, laser hair removal is relatively pain-free. It has been described as a small bee sting or the feeling of a rubber band slapping the skin. It only lasts for a second or two and then it is over. Laser hair removal treats several hair follicles at the same time, which is a relief for people that have been plucking individual hairs.

Understanding laser hair removal
Laser hair removal targets the hair follicle and the bulb at the base of the hair. Individuals with darker hair generally see better results from laser hair removal because the laser specifically targets the melanin, the dark pigment in the hair. Patients must have several treatments of laser hair removal if they expect to completely remove the unwanted hair. The success of laser hair removal largely depends upon the growth cycle of the hair. Laser hair removal will destroy the hair follicle and cause it to go into a recessed state. Some hair may still grow, but it normally falls out after a few days. After the initial treatment of laser hair removal, the patient will see their hair begin to lighten and thin out. Unlike other hair removal types, laser hair removal will not cause the hair to grow back thicker, darker, and faster.

Since the hair grows in stages, only about 70-90% is growing at one time. The hair that is not growing is in the resting stage. After that hair is through the resting stage, new hair starts to develop. Laser hair removal specifically focuses on this stage of hair development. As the hair begins to grow and reach the surface, the laser will heat the follicle and essentially burn the hair and kill the follicle. The hair will fall out and new hair may or may not develop as a result of laser hair removal.

Laser hair removal versus other methods of hair removal
Shaving was one of the most common methods to remove unwanted hair from the body. The problem with shaving is the amount of time it takes and the constant requirement to shave the area again. After a day, the hair is already growing again, causing people to shave daily or weekly. Shaving also poses the risk of cutting your skin. To combat this, companies began making electric razors that will help to prevent cuts on the skin. Electric razors can pinch the skin and they don't always get a close shave. Similar to shaving, the hair starts to grow back within a day or two.

Plucking is another popular way to remove unwanted hair. Plucking can easily cause pinching of the skin if you are unable to get the tweezers to grab the individual hair. Plucking is time consuming because each individual hair must be pulled out of skin. Waxing is similar to plucking, but it is a faster method of removing the hair from the follicle. Waxing and tweezing are painful and some people have inflammation of the hair follicles after the procedure. Some people have allergic reactions or acne breakouts due to waxing or tweezing.

A popular depilatory cream is called Nair. Nair and other depilatory creams dissolve the hair in the follicle. It is pain-free; however it can cause allergic reactions. Depilatory creams cannot be used on the face, or anywhere near the eyes. The creams effectively remove the unwanted hair for about a week, however the hair must grow out to a certain length before it can be used again. The depilatory creams do have an unpleasant smell and they are messy. The depilatory creams must stay on the skin for 5-10 minutes in order to fully dissolve the hair.

Electrolysis is another long-term method used to eliminate unwanted hair. Electrolysis involves inserting a needle into every hair follicle and an electric current is passed through the skin. Electrolysis is a painful process and time consuming. Since every individual hair follicle is targeted, the procedures can take several months or years to complete the entire area.

Compared to the other hair removal methods, the pain of laser hair removal is nothing. The new laser technology covers more surface area, allowing the procedure to be completed faster, minimizing the amount of pain a patient will experience. When the laser passes over bones, the pinching pain tends to worsen. To help minimize the pain, doctors recommend patients take ibuprofen before the appointment. Patients should never take aspirin as it will cause bruising.

Minimizing the pain at a laser hair removal session
At the initial appointment for laser hair removal, the area being treated will be cleansed. A nurse will place antiseptic cooling ointment on the skin to help numb the skin and protect it from burning. Ice packs will also be placed on the skin for about 10-15 minutes to numb the skin. Depending upon the area you are having treated and the amount of hair you are having removed, the procedure could take 5 minutes, or it could take 90 minutes. The average time for shoulder hair removal with back hair removal is about 40-60 minutes, where an upper lip will only take 5-10 minutes. Your skin color, hair color, hair density, the thickness of the hair, and the amount of hair you are having removed will all play a part in determining how long you will remain in the office.

After the procedure is completed, a nurse will wipe off the ointment and place numbing ointment or more cooling gel on the skin. The ice packs will be re-applied to the skin for 5-10 minutes. The skin will remain red for a few minutes to a few hours. Most patients do not have any pain after the procedure is completed and they are able to go about their daily activities pain-free.

After the appointment, patients should avoid exposing the treated skin to sunlight. Some patients will use aloe lotion on the skin to keep it moist. In between treatments, patients need to avoid shaving, waxing, or plucking the growing hair. The hair will fall out on its own within a few days. Laser hair removal does require several treatments in order to completely kill the hair follicle.

Depending upon the amount of hair you are having removed, the thickness of the hair, the hair density, hair color, and your skin color, it can take anywhere from 3-8 treatments. Laser hair removal may take longer than waxing and plucking, but it is a long-term solution to remove unwanted hair. After the final treatment, patients will not need to visit the office again, unless they have a few stray hairs that were not completely destroyed.

The laser uses pulses of light in order to remove the hair. Patients must wear eye protection during the procedure. Most patients do not experience side effects from laser hair removal. Some patients do have skin irritation from the laser, but it normally fades within a few days. Some of the common risk factors of laser hair removal include the following:

•     Darkening or lighting of the skin
•     Redness or swelling of hair follicles
•     Scabbing or bleeding
•     Itching skin
•     Burning skin

The lasers are constantly being re-vamped to create safer, gentler lasers. The beam that is emitted by the laser is absorbed directly by the hair follicle, making it safe against the skin. The laser is only placed over the skin for a matter of seconds, and the heat transferred through the laser is sent directly to the hair follicle. If you have deeper hair follicles, the doctor will need to adjust the pulse-width of the laser. Adjusting the pulse-width allows the laser to pass through the skin layers to reach the end of the hair follicle.

Patients with dark hair and lighter skin are the best candidates for laser hair removal. Anyone can be treated for laser hair removal, but not everyone will get the same results. Permanent hair removal can be obtained with electrolysis and laser hair removal. Permanent laser hair removal is different from electrolysis because the hair is technically still alive, just in a recessed state so it is growing much slower. The hair growth can take several years, causing most salons to call it "permanent hair removal."