How Painful is Laser Hair Removal

Man getting laser hair removal service on his back

Does Laser Hair Removal hurt? Is Laser Hair Removal painful? These are questions that the medical professionals at Ideal Image are asked nearly every day. As America’s number one choice for Laser Hair Removal and the proud provider of over 19 million treatments, we can confidently assure you that Laser Hair Removal is no more painful than any other type of traditional hair removal.

In other words, if you can tolerate the quick sting of a wax strip, you can definitely handle the short snap of Laser Hair Removal. In fact, most people head back to work or resume their daily activities immediately after Laser Hair Removal treatment. Here’s what you need to know about Laser Hair Removal, from pain post-treatment to how pain may vary by body part.

What Does Laser Hair Removal Feel Like by Body Part?

So, what does Laser Hair Removal feel like? Many people compare the feeling to a rubber band snapping against the skin — a sensation that can be annoying, but certainly not agonizing. Of course, everyone’s pain tolerance is different, and we can apply a cooling laser enzyme gel to help alleviate any discomfort should you need it. However, compared to waxing and other forms of hair removal, most people don’t find Laser Hair Removal pain all that bad (or even long-lasting).

Take a look at how Laser Hair Removal pain levels can vary by the treatment area.

Bikini Line and Brazilian Laser Hair Removal

The bikini line is one of the most popular Laser Hair Removal treatment areas, but it also has some of the thinnest skin. Skin becomes more sensitive the thinner it is, so the bikini line is often one of the most painful areas for any type of hair removal. Fortunately, most people compare the pain level of Laser Hair Removal to waxing; and unlike waxing, hair treated with Laser Hair Removal won’t immediately grow back.

The Laser Hair Removal Brazilian pain level is comparable to that of what it’s really like to get Laser Hair Removal on the bikini line, since a Brazilian treatment targets the entire pubic area. Bear in mind, though, Laser Hair Removal does hurt less the more sessions you have, meaning not every Brazilian appointment may be as painful and it certainly beats the repetitive pain of waxing over and over again.

Underarms and Arms Laser Hair Removal

Similar to the bikini line, the skin under the arms is very thin. So, it’s to be anticipated that Laser Hair Removal for the underarms may be a bit irritating. However, discomfort during Laser Hair Removal for armpits isn’t necessarily the same case for the rest of your arms. The skin on the forearms and biceps is much thicker, so the pain levels for arm Laser Hair Removal are often very mild.

Upper Lip, Eyebrows, and Face Laser Hair Removal

Like the arms, the pain level for facial hair Laser Hair Removal depends on the treatment area. The process may be slightly more uncomfortable around the thinner skin by the upper lip, whereas the pain levels for cheek and eyebrow Laser Hair Removal are often minor. It’s similar to the pain of plucking and tweezing but without the lifetime commitment.

Legs Laser Hair Removal

Leg Laser Hair Removal is often considered the most minor for discomfort compared to other treatment areas. The shins, calves and upper thighs have much thicker skin than many of the above treatment areas, making treatment relatively painless. Certain portions of the legs with thinner skin, namely the inner thighs, may be slightly more painful when first beginning treatment.

Chest and Back Laser Hair Removal 

The chest and stomach have thick skin like the legs, so Laser Hair Removal is much less irritating here than it would be on the bikini line or underarms. However, the back does tend to have more individual hair follicles, which can make the pain level similar to more sensitive areas simply due to the number of zaps needed to get the job done.

Does Laser Hair Removal Hurt Post-Treatment? 

With the proper aftercare, Laser Hair Removal should not be painful after treatment. Many of the side effects related to Laser Hair Removal treatment are mild, such as redness directly around individual hairs or swelling. Most, if not all, of the irritation after Laser Hair Removal can be soothed with an Aloe Vera gel or frozen ice pack applied directly to the treatment area for 20 minutes. We also offer this Laser Hair Removal skincare bundle which helps extend and enhance your results while alleviating potential discomfort.

Why Does Pain Vary for Different People?

How bad does Laser Hair Removal hurt if you have sensitive skin or a low pain tolerance? Like thin skin, Laser Hair Removal on sensitive skin may be more prone to inflammation after treatment — but that does not guarantee that it will be painful. Here are the factors that can influence pain levels.

  1. Numbing cream for Laser Hair Removal can temporarily desensitize the area, so clients do not feel any pain.
  2. One of our lasers for treatment, the Alexandrite laser, has been statistically proven to be less painful than other laser types, with or without numbing cream.
  3. Our Laser Hair Removal machines provide a blast of cooling air with every zap, which helps alleviate discomfort (something not every provider offers).
  4. Certain treatment areas have thicker skin, like the shins, which make treatment practically painless.
  5. Individual pain tolerance is a key driver in whether or not a client describes the sensation of Laser Hair Removal as painful. Everyone is different!

Tips for Practically Painless Laser Hair Removal

The best bet to achieve painless Laser Hair Removal is to make an appointment with a MedSpa you can trust. At Ideal Image, our highly trained medical professionals know the obvious answer to, “Does numbing cream affect Laser Hair Removal?” Yes! That’s why our they prescribe a compounded anesthetic numbing cream to those who request it or to those with a particularly sensitive treatment area.

Likewise, as the most trusted name in Laser Hair Removal, our knowledgeable team of certified medical professionals and nurses will consult with each client before treatment, so they know exactly what to expect. We will discuss any relevant changes to your skincare routine, such as stopping Retin-A two weeks before treatment and staying out of the sun, so you can have the best results possible. 

Don’t let the fear of minor discomfort hold you back from a lifetime of never waxing, shaving or plucking again. Still wondering if Laser Hair Removal is the best hair removal option? We compare it to electrolysis, dermaplaning, waxing, IPL and more in this article.

What are you waiting for? Say goodbye to unwanted hair and schedule a free consultation today. Ask us about how you can save money on Laser Hair Removal with our Lifetime Guarantee Membership.