POSTED UNDER Laser Hair Removal Reviews
Brazilian Laser Hair Removal Information, Tips, and Questions to Ask. New York, NY
ORIGINAL POST
Despite numerous resources about laser hair...
warriorgalSeptember 1, 2015
WORTH IT
Despite numerous resources about laser hair removal, there are very few specifically on Brazilian laser hair removal. For most women, hair in the nether regions is very coarse and the labia tends to be darker. The thicker the hair and the darker the skin, the greater the pain, much greater than waxing or bikini line laser hair removal. After reading tons of "oh, it was great" reviews, I wanted to share some real tips with the RealSelf community in hopes other women will find this information useful.
--THE PAIN--
It hurts. A lot. In 2014, I had my 1st Brazilian laser session. I did some research beforehand and had previously finished 4-6 laser treatments on my arms, underarms, stomach, and legs with not a wince. However, nothing compares to the pain of a 100 laser pulses in your nethers, not even my previous waxing experiences or my 2 large back tattoos.
Without numbing cream, I nearly screamed after the 1st pulse so they turned down the setting. I couldn't take it on the 2nd pulse so they gave me numbing cream. The assistant applied a thin layer and let me sit in terror for 45 minutes. The 3rd pulse was still unbearable and I left. It took me over a year to gather the courage up to try it again.
--THE PREPARATION--
Learning from my first experience, I knew I had absolutely no pain tolerance down below. I decided to take several safe measures to reduce the pain, and barely feel anything with these tips:
1. Three hours before the appointment: Shave as close to the appointment as possible. The more hair growth, the more snap-back from the laser. I usually shave about 3 hours beforehand and slather some aloe for 1 hour to prevent irritation. A men's 5 blade razor is highly recommended to get as close of a shave as possible. Make sure to get everything.
2. Two hours before the appointment: Slather on numbing cream and don't be cheap about it. Apply a thick layer and place a piece of plastic over the area. A custom-cut sandwich bag or saran wrap usually does the trick. Let the cream marinade for at minimum 1 hour, ideally 2. Anything less than 1, and you'll still feel the burn. Creams with lidocaine 5% are the best I have tried.
3. One hour before the appointment: Take 2 ibuprofen tablets if you're not taking other conflict medications, of course.
4. Bring two foam balls or something squishy. This will distract and relax you a bit more, and may prevent the desire to punching a wall.
5. If none of the above worked, bring a bag ice and keep it on the area for a few minutes before the treatment.
Other ways to prepare and reduce pain:
- Do not drink caffeine on that day. As a fellow addict, I know it's hard not to have a cup in the morning but if you do, your sensitivity to pain will increase significantly.
- Avoid scheduling an appointment during your menstrual cycle and a week before. Your pain threshold is also much lower around this time. It's better to wait until after.
- If done correctly, you will smell burning hair. If this makes your stomach turn or creates paranoia, bring a dust mask.
--THE MACHINE--
Skin tone is usually darker around the labia, so the machine matters a lot. Candela lasers are the ones that have provided me with the most effective hair reduction and the least painful Brazilian sessions. They come equipped with a cooling spray that releases simultaneously with the hot laser pulse and certain models work with all skin tones.
A lot of laser deals often use IPL or electrolysis machines out of ignorance. Before even purchasing a deal, always call the location and ask for the laser brand. Do some research on the laser model and make sure it's an up-to-date laser or your results will not be as good and you'll have to go back for more painful sessions.
--THE LOCATION--
This sounds like protocol but always check the knowledge of the location and any reviews it may have. If you have any doubts, call and ask questions you already know the answer to. For example, "do all lasers work on dark skin?" The answer is always no. If you even feel an ounce uncomfortable when at the location or with the technician, make up an excuse and leave.
An experienced technician will know when to adjust the settings between skin tones and sessions, and the best ones have fast hands. If your labia is a darker than a tan color, double check that they use a Nd:YAG laser for precaution. If they do not know what that is, leave. Remember that we're talking about your precious nethers, so also make sure the location has clean, sterilized equipment.
--THE RESULTS--
I wasn't going for the permanent prepubescent look. I wanted to have finer, easy to shave hair while still maintaining some growth. To do this, I did 2 Brazilian laser hair removal treatments that removed a little over 50% of hair down there. My remaining two session were semi-Brazilian, leaving a triangle. The results were worth it and remains one of the best decisions I have made.
I have thinner hair in the shape and area I want, my skin down there is smoother, there are no more razor bumps. The shaving time takes 2 minutes tops, compared to 15-20 minutes before. If you're trying to reduce the thickness of hairs, the quantity, and bikini bumps/irritation, make this intention clear with your technician. In summary, Brazilian sessions are in a whole other ballpark.
--THE PAIN--
It hurts. A lot. In 2014, I had my 1st Brazilian laser session. I did some research beforehand and had previously finished 4-6 laser treatments on my arms, underarms, stomach, and legs with not a wince. However, nothing compares to the pain of a 100 laser pulses in your nethers, not even my previous waxing experiences or my 2 large back tattoos.
Without numbing cream, I nearly screamed after the 1st pulse so they turned down the setting. I couldn't take it on the 2nd pulse so they gave me numbing cream. The assistant applied a thin layer and let me sit in terror for 45 minutes. The 3rd pulse was still unbearable and I left. It took me over a year to gather the courage up to try it again.
--THE PREPARATION--
Learning from my first experience, I knew I had absolutely no pain tolerance down below. I decided to take several safe measures to reduce the pain, and barely feel anything with these tips:
1. Three hours before the appointment: Shave as close to the appointment as possible. The more hair growth, the more snap-back from the laser. I usually shave about 3 hours beforehand and slather some aloe for 1 hour to prevent irritation. A men's 5 blade razor is highly recommended to get as close of a shave as possible. Make sure to get everything.
2. Two hours before the appointment: Slather on numbing cream and don't be cheap about it. Apply a thick layer and place a piece of plastic over the area. A custom-cut sandwich bag or saran wrap usually does the trick. Let the cream marinade for at minimum 1 hour, ideally 2. Anything less than 1, and you'll still feel the burn. Creams with lidocaine 5% are the best I have tried.
3. One hour before the appointment: Take 2 ibuprofen tablets if you're not taking other conflict medications, of course.
4. Bring two foam balls or something squishy. This will distract and relax you a bit more, and may prevent the desire to punching a wall.
5. If none of the above worked, bring a bag ice and keep it on the area for a few minutes before the treatment.
Other ways to prepare and reduce pain:
- Do not drink caffeine on that day. As a fellow addict, I know it's hard not to have a cup in the morning but if you do, your sensitivity to pain will increase significantly.
- Avoid scheduling an appointment during your menstrual cycle and a week before. Your pain threshold is also much lower around this time. It's better to wait until after.
- If done correctly, you will smell burning hair. If this makes your stomach turn or creates paranoia, bring a dust mask.
--THE MACHINE--
Skin tone is usually darker around the labia, so the machine matters a lot. Candela lasers are the ones that have provided me with the most effective hair reduction and the least painful Brazilian sessions. They come equipped with a cooling spray that releases simultaneously with the hot laser pulse and certain models work with all skin tones.
A lot of laser deals often use IPL or electrolysis machines out of ignorance. Before even purchasing a deal, always call the location and ask for the laser brand. Do some research on the laser model and make sure it's an up-to-date laser or your results will not be as good and you'll have to go back for more painful sessions.
--THE LOCATION--
This sounds like protocol but always check the knowledge of the location and any reviews it may have. If you have any doubts, call and ask questions you already know the answer to. For example, "do all lasers work on dark skin?" The answer is always no. If you even feel an ounce uncomfortable when at the location or with the technician, make up an excuse and leave.
An experienced technician will know when to adjust the settings between skin tones and sessions, and the best ones have fast hands. If your labia is a darker than a tan color, double check that they use a Nd:YAG laser for precaution. If they do not know what that is, leave. Remember that we're talking about your precious nethers, so also make sure the location has clean, sterilized equipment.
--THE RESULTS--
I wasn't going for the permanent prepubescent look. I wanted to have finer, easy to shave hair while still maintaining some growth. To do this, I did 2 Brazilian laser hair removal treatments that removed a little over 50% of hair down there. My remaining two session were semi-Brazilian, leaving a triangle. The results were worth it and remains one of the best decisions I have made.
I have thinner hair in the shape and area I want, my skin down there is smoother, there are no more razor bumps. The shaving time takes 2 minutes tops, compared to 15-20 minutes before. If you're trying to reduce the thickness of hairs, the quantity, and bikini bumps/irritation, make this intention clear with your technician. In summary, Brazilian sessions are in a whole other ballpark.
Replies (2)
September 8, 2015
Hey! Thanks SO much for sharing! I have just begun laser hair removal - have begun my lasering experience with a Brazilian...and i was SHOCKED at the pain! hahaha! I had my trial a couple of weeks ago, 4 zaps on my underarm, and i thought "piece of cake, i barely felt it" and let me tell you, when i had my actual appt to do the entire underarm and Brazilian, i put my neck out i was tensing so hard!!! I was squirming around on the bed and had to keep asking for breaks! haha. I think the zap pain wasn't as bad as the waxing pain is when they initially rip the hair out, but i think the fact that they have to do so many little zaps so constantly is why it feels more painful. Unfortunately for me, i have had a reaction, and my skin is now treating the little burnt hairs as foreign bodies. My skin is basically reacting like i've been bitten by a mosquito, 60 times in the same area!!! The area they lasered is red, and swollen and so itchy! Did i mention SWOLLEN! So i am taking antihistamines and they seem to be doing the trick :)
September 9, 2015
Ouch, that sounds terrible all over! In my case, I think it hurt more than waxing because my hair is very dark and the laser picks up more at once. I also have really sensitive skin and sometimes, there are irritation bumps and some swelling after the treatment. Did they give you hydrocortisone cream for the redness?
September 9, 2015
Oh i am the same, very dark hair, and lots of it!!! I went and got both cortisone cream and antihistamine and that has certainly helped. The area is still pink, but fading a little more each day. How have you found your bikini line? I have not been able to wear bikinis regardless of whether i shave or wax, as you can still see the dark hair follicles on the bikini line - it basically looks like shaving rash, so i am hoping the laser will improve that. Has your bikini line smoothed out etc?
September 10, 2015
Yeah, it took about 2 months for the hair to fully fall out. If some of the hairs appear stuck, try using packing tape to lightly pull them out, a gentle exfoliator, or a precision tweezer. My bikini line looked okay but I still opted for a bikini bottom in the shape of boyshorts with a skirt on top. It's still very fashionable. Stores like H&M and Victoria's Secret should have them. =)
Welcome to the community, thank you for taking the time to share your detailed review -- great tips!! I agree, men's razors are better and I always use one. Do you have any photos to share with the community?
Totally understand :) No worries at all.