How Much Does Laser Hair Removal Hurt?

The answer to that question depends on a few factors. Laser feels different on different parts of the body and face. The density and thickness of the hair also plays a big role in comfort. And of course, a person’s pain tolerance is a big factor as well.

Whatever your pain tolerance, there is good news. Over the many years and thousands of laser treatments performed in my spa every client has completed the full number of sessions needed to be hair free. In most cases that’s six to ten sessions to achieve 70%-90% permanent hair reduction.

Even for those who find laser unbearable they always return once they see the results. And for our clients who have a very low threshold for pain (usually the fellas) we have many methods for reducing discomfort. In extreme cases we recommend an over the counter numbing cream prior to laser.

Today’s technology has advanced so much that very few clients even comment about pain. That’s because at Skin Bar NYC we use a Zimmer cooling device that blows cold air at temperatures well below freezing. The cold air has an immediate numbing effect on the skin it comes in contact with. This advance alone has changed the way laser is perceived today.

As I mentioned before the area treated with laser has a big impact on how much you feel. Areas of the body with thicker skin tend to hurt less. That’s true for treatment on the face. The upper lip and forehead tend to feel laser the most (these areas happen to be the thinnest). While the cheeks and jawline tend to be very tolerable and comfortable (these areas are the thickest).

The body is a little different. Areas like the bikini, underarms and breasts tend to hurt the most. While arms and legs are very tolerable.

The hair we are trying to permanently remove plays a major role in how laser feels. Hair that is dense and dark like pubic hair or a man’s back hair will definitely feel the snap of the laser. But the good news is that the laser will kill those thick dark hairs first. The new hair that grows in will be thinner and less dense with each subsequent treatment. This makes each treatment after the first one less painful.

There are also a few tips that you can do at home before your treatment that will go a long way in making yor experience more comfy.

1. Shave the night before with a new razor so you can get a really close shave.
2. Take an antihistamine the night before and day of your service.
3. Choose a laser that is equipped with a Zimmer cooling device.
4. And if you need more pain management find an over the counter topical numbing cream. Find one with 5% Lidocaine.

Before you take the plunge into laser hair removal schedule a consultation and ask for a test patch on the area you’re going to treat. We offer free consultations and test patches at Skin Bar. Its important to know how the experience is going to be and how it feels on your skin.

If you want to be hair free, but you’re not sure where to start, let Skin Bar NYC help you. At Skin Bar NYC we offer the ultimate laser hair removal program in the form of memberships. Pay a monthly membership fee and choose the area you want defuzzed. Our membership is designed to ensure that you maintain a consistent treatment program focused on results. And its affordable- memberships start at $59. Call us today for a FREE consultation and a FREE test treatment.