How Painful is Laser Hair Removal? Top Tips to Remain Comfortable
Most people consider a trip to the beauty salon a crucial part of our regular body maintenance. A tan top-up, professional manicure and achieving baby-smooth skin are almost guaranteed to make us feel fantastic!
The easiest, most effective method of gaining silky, smooth, hair-free skin is to visit a salon that offers high-tech laser hair removal. But to some people, the matter that most concerns them is will the treatment hurt!
Does Laser Hair Removal Hurt?
Everyone reacts to pain differently, with some being able to cope with high levels of discomfort while others shy away from the tiniest pinprick, but you won’t be surprised to hear that shaving is the least painful of the primary methods for removing body hair – unless, of course, you nick yourself!
Waxing is undoubtedly the most painful treatment for getting rid of unwanted hair. Using melted wax on paper strips to rip the hairs out from their follicles works but can be agonising, and the hair will regrow over time.
Laser hair removal is often described as producing a tingling sensation, and some claim it can feel like a gentle ‘snap’ from an elastic band. Most salons offer their clients a topical numbing cream, ensuring they remain as comfortable as possible.
The degree of pain associated with laser hair removal can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the thickness and density of the hair being treated, the type of laser used, and the individual’s pain tolerance. Some patients report a mild, tingling sensation during the treatment, while others describe it as more uncomfortable or even painful.
A professional laser hair removal machine, such as our Nu eRays Plus, comes with a handpiece with cutting edge SuperCool™ technology – essentially it diminishes any pain associated with laser hair removal by cooling the skin at the point of contact with the handpiece.
Pain Tolerance Across The Body
Pain tolerance can vary in different body parts, and between men and women. This is down to skin thickness in certain areas, with thinner skin being more sensitive. Arms generally are more tolerant of discomfort than legs, especially the inner thigh area, and the chest zone can be painful in men.
In both men and women, the most painful places are the underarms and groin regions, but with the aid of numbing cream, laser treatment on these areas is nothing to worry about.
Top tips for reducing discomfort
- Make sure you have plenty of sleep – a lack of sleep can increase sensitivity to pain
- Keep hydrated – being dehydrated can cause a decrease in the ability to handle discomfort
- Menstrual cycle – it’s been proved that during the luteal phase of a woman’s menstrual cycle, the body is more tolerant of pain. The luteal stage is the second half, starting after ovulation and ending when bleeding begins
- Avoid caffeine – caffeine has been shown to increase the body’s sensitivity to pain
- Pre-medicate with painkillers – taking over-the-counter painkillers before your trip to the salon can significantly reduce any pain
Additional Reads
- Are 6 Sessions of Laser Hair Removal Enough? How Long Before I’m Hair-Free?
- Does At-Home Laser Hair Removal Work?
- How Effective is Laser Hair Removal? Learn What Makes It Work Long-Term
- How long does laser hair removal last?