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Should Laser Hair Removal Be Painful?

asked 3 years ago by SuzyAv8trix in Phoenix, AZ
Latest answer by Harold J. Kaplan, MD
Question viewed 696 times
Tags: pain

I've heard that if there is NO pain, or very little pain that it's not working effectively. Please advise.

4 answers to Should Laser Hair Removal Be Painful?

+2

Laser Hair Removal and pain

The efficacy of laser hair removal is not in direct proportion to the amount of pain one experiences. Some people tolerate the discomfort more easily than others and some areas of the face or body are more sensitive. Men and women who have experienced waxing generally report that laser hair removal is far more comfortable than hair removal by waxing. With each laser hair removal treatment the discomfort will decrease because there is less hair present each time. A large spot size (18 mm)... more
Michael Law, MD

Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon

michaellawmd.com

+1

Laser Hair Removal discomfort

Hi Suzy, While laser hair removal discomfort is subjective and depends to a large degree on the patient, we do agree with you that if there is no discomfort then it's probably not working. The reason for this fact is that for laser hair removal to work, the base or "bulb" of the hair follicle needs to achieve a high enough temperature to permanently damage the small vein that feeds it. Generating the heat necessary for this to happen causes some discomfort. In the past couple... more
Harold J. Kaplan, MD

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Laser hair removal hurts a little

With the pre-procedure application of strong topical numbing creams, the performance of laser hair removal should be quite tolerable for most people.  Occasionally, the patients with the least tolerance have some problems with the treatment and might need to stop doing it.  This is rare though.
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Numbing cream can be used during laser hair removal

We like to use numbing cream for most hair laser removal treatments. The procedure should be effective to remove the hair when done by a well-trained professional.
Hisham Seify, MD, PhD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

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