No Pain or Sensation During Laser Hair Removal - Is It Working?

Usually with laser hair removal, you should feel some degree of a sensation similar to a rubber band snap. You will feel less pain with finer, lighter hairs and more pain with dark, coarse hairs. Also, if there is a chiller blowing cold air or if you have applied numbing cream or an ice pack, that can lessen the pain that you feel as well. If you do not see any reduction in hair in 4-6 weeks, you should mention it to the person operating the laser so they may adjust the settings accordingly.

Usually there is pain with laser hair removal but with numbing cream and chilling of the skin, and if your hair is thin, not dense, and not too dark, there may be minimal discomfort especially if the energies used in the first treatment are purposely not too high to see how you respond. Many doctors will recommend test energy settings first but even with that, the entire first treatment may use a lower but effective energy that may be increased on subsequent treatments. You should always feel free to ask your doctor any question you have about the treatment you are about to undergo or especially, if you are being treated at the moment and have a concern. Usually after laser hair removal there is a slight singe of the hair shaft and there may be slight redness and swelling around the follicle's opening.

Even with numbing creams or cooling devices, it would be unusual to feel no discomfort with laser treatment.  Typically there is some mild redness or bumpiness around the lasered area at least for a short while as a clue to effect.

The proof is in the pudding.  I would likely wait until your next scheduled appointment at which time you will know if you had some hair reduction at the settings used.  If you did then you will know that the laser worked.  If you have no response I'd make sure your provider knows you felt no reaction so they can help figure out any issues and  adjust the laser as needed for any subsequent treatment.