Is laser hair removal painful?

Laser Hair Removal is a misnomer. It is really permanent hair reduction. The truth of the matter is that hair removal is most effective on coarse dark hair on lighter skin types.

The discomfort experienced can be mostly eliminated with:

• Proper topical anesthetic applied 30-45 minutes prior to the treatment
• A cold gel
• A chilled-tip laser, such as the Lightsheer Diode

Having had the treatments myself, I can honestly say that it is more uncomfortable than painful.

It is very simply incorrect to say that effective laser hair removal will be painful.

Each laser device hurts more or less depending on how it is made, what energy it uses and how that energy is released. Most clinics will claim that their laser is the best one. However, as a consumer, you should get multiple opinions and make up your own mind.

Diode works well, Alexandrite works well, even IPL can work well. But, depending on the machine being used, the experience can be extremely different.

I started with an IPL device because it could perform a variety of treatments (laser hair removal, photofacial, vein treatment) moderately well. When my practice expanded and I could afford it, I bought a LightSheer Diode because it was a more effective laser hair removal device. The pain factor was about the same (maybe a bit more with the LightSheer), but the results were certainly better (less treatments to achieve hair clearing). About 6 months ago I sold my LightSheer and bought the Soprano Diode because, as I experienced on myself, it was a close to painless experience. The effectiveness is the same as the LightSheer, but I barely felt it. My clients have echoed my enthusiasm.

I'm not trying to give a sales pitch, just relating my own experience. Ask around, gather your information, but don't accept the simplistic "if it doesn't hurt, it's not working" line.

There are ways to mitigate the pain level during laser hair reduction with cold gels, numbing creams and air blowers.  However, to some extent discomfort is part of the process. To get permanent hair reduction, the hair has to be heated to a level where the blood vessels that connect to the base of the hair follicle are cauterized. This process usually involves some level of discomfort.  If a patient experiences absolutely no discomfort or sensation, one would have to question the efficacy of the treatment/technique.  Currently, the FDA requires that manufacturers of lasers used for laser hair reduction are able to substantiate (via clinical trials) that their product is "pain free" or "painless" before they are able to advertise that. 

The interesting part of the pain issue is that for some patients, the same energy level for one patient is comfortable, while for another with the same type of hair and skin it may be difficult to tolerate with without comfort measures.   Ask your practitioner about the way in which he or she mitigates the pain issue in their laser treatments.

Avoid places which use a YAG or an Alexandrite laser. These cause the most pain. We have your safety and comfort as priorities when we select equipment and develop treatment protocols.