How to Minimize Pain During Laser Hair Removal?

asked 4 years ago by anon
Latest answer by David Shafer, MD
Question viewed 33,436 times
Tags: pain

I had laser hair removal in the past and it HURT! I'm fearful of pain from my next laser treatment.

11 answers to How to Minimize Pain During Laser Hair Removal?

We apply a specially-made topical anesthetic half an...

We apply a specially-made topical anesthetic half an hour before Fraxel treatment. Occasionally, we will give a patient a pre-op "cocktail" to cause sedation. Also, ice to the treated area just after a burst will help a lot.

David Alessi, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Less Pain Is More Gain- for Laser Hair Removal

There are many techniques to lessen pain : 1) topical anesthesia- we utilize several with great patient satisfaction. 2) ice 3) other variants of cold- cold roller, Zimmer cool air blower 4) oral sedatives. 5) oral analgesics. 6) other distraction techniques. 7) although I have never used for hair removal- local anesthesia or nerve blocks - are effective in lessening pain . When we lessen the pain , the patient is happy- and will desire to have the procedure again.

Joshua L. Fox, MD
Long Island Dermatologic Surgeon

Minimizing Pain during Laser Hair Removal

In our office we use a cold air machine attached to our Cynosure Elite Laser. In most cases, the very effectively lessens any pain from the laser. Additionally, with this laser, the treatments are very fast, so the process is over very quickly. We also offer topical anesthetics prior to treatment for very sensitive patients. Our goal is to make the process very comfortable for the patient. Good Luck.

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Laser Hair Removal

Everyone will have a different threshold for pain when getting treated. Cold air or numbing cream are options to consider.

Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD
San Francisco Dermatologic Surgeon

www.elitemdspa.com

Laser Hair Removal Limiting Pain

While everyone's pain tolerance is different, the majority of clients in my Raleigh, NC plastic surgery medical spa and laser center do not think it is painful. Our patients report that treatment with our lasers is much more comfortable than other lasers and far more comfortable than waxing. Our lasers, yag lasers for hair removal, and an alexandrite laser are equipped with a DCD (Dynamic Cooling Device) that makes the treatment both comfortable and safer to the skin than other... more

Michael Law, MD
Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon

michaellawmd.com

How to minimize pain of laser hair removal

Topical anesthetic creams, such as EMLA or LMX, are quite effective in decreasing the pain of laser hair removal. A couple of other factors that may play a role. If the hairs extend far above the surface of the skin, part of the laser energy will go to the superficial portion and may cause burns. So shaving one to three days before the procedure will minimize that. If a woman is having the procedure close to or during her menstrual cycle, the procedure may also be... more

Emily Altman, MD
Short Hills Dermatologic Surgeon

Tips to avoid pain with laser hair removal from a Santa Monica doctor

Tips to improve comfort during laser hair removal: Shave two days before treatment Use a commercially available prescription numbing cream. Avoid 'homemade' topical numbing creams sold in medi-spas. Have a doctor perform the laser hair removal treatment.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Should Be Pain Free

Laser hair removal should be pain free or at least close to it. We use the Luminis LightSheer Duet. Our patients seem to experience no pain at all. The use of this laser eliminates the need for a topical anesthetic. However, a good topical cream is an excellent option if this particular laser is not available to you. Each physician has their own topical which they find effective. Most of these creams begin to work after ten minutes and peak about 30-45 minutes later. Cooling the... more

Arnold R. Oppenheim, MD
Virginia Beach Dermatologist

Minimizing pain during laser hair removal

We recommend two ways to minimize the pain of the laser during laser hair removal. The first is to apply a topic anesthetic cream and leave it on at least 45 minutes prior to the treatment. The other thing that we do is use a high powered cooling machine like an air conditioner to blow cold air on the area as treatment is taking place. You might want to ask your provider if they have a chiller available for the treatments. That is the best way to do it. I hope this information helps.... more

Scott Trimas, MD
Jacksonville Facial Plastic Surgeon

Pain during Laser Hair Removal

There are several options we offer. We can apply a topical numbing agent about 30 minutes before your treatment, use some ice before and after and we use a cooling blowing device during the treatment.

Bruce Katz, MD
New York Dermatologic Surgeon

Pain during laser hair removal

There are several ways to minimize pain during laser hair removal treatments: Numbing cream before treatment. Aspirin, Tylenol or other over the counter pain medication. Proper colling with the laser (most use a chilled cooling window). Icing before, during or after treatment. Air cooling with Zimmer chiller before, during or after treatment.