Although women resort to laser hair removal to eliminate the repetitive pain and discomfort caused by various methods of hair removal such as waxing, threading, epilation and more, they are disheartened when they learn that laser hair removal is also not nearly pain-free.
Laser hair removal causes a stinging sensation that varies in intensity from person to person. This is why people wonder how painful laser hair removal is exactly.
What determines the intensity of the pain? Is it worth the inconvenience? Or are there virtually painless and still suitable alternatives to the laser?
Let’s find out all about it in this article.
- Part 1: How painful is laser hair removal on the face?
- Part 2: How painful is laser hair removal in the bikini area?
- Part 3: How painful is laser hair removal in the Brazilian region?
- Part 4: How painful is laser hair removal on the upper lip?
- Part 5: How painful is laser hair removal in general?
- Part 6: Is there a way to make laser hair removal almost painless?
- Part 7: The 5 almost painless methods for removing unwanted hair from the body
- Part 8: The Final Verdict
How painful is laser hair removal on the face?
Let's talk about the pain intensity of laser hair removal on different parts of the body, since the number of nerve endings and the thickness of the skin on the face, legs, bikini area, upper lips and other parts of the body is different.
First of all, let's see how painful laser hair removal is on the face. The skin on the face is more sensitive than the skin on other parts of the body. In addition, the sensitivity of the skin on the forehead, sideburns, upper lip and chin is different.
The least sensitive areas of the facial skin are the forehead, sideburns and chin. On a pain scale of 0 to 10, laser hair removal on the forehead, chin and sideburns causes a pain level of around 5. On the cheeks it can even be as high as 7.
Also check out “ How to Stop Facial Hair Growth in Women ”.
How painful is laser hair removal in the bikini area ?
The bikini line is another sensitive area of the body. You may already be familiar with the pain that waxing in the bikini area causes.
Although the skin here is slightly thicker than on the face, the hair follicles are stronger and require more energy to be removed. Therefore, laser hair removal in the bikini area is also painful.
On the pain scale of 0 to 10, you may experience a pain level of about 6-9 in the bikini areas. Also, keep in mind that the pain intensity depends mainly on a person's pain tolerance.
How painful is laser hair removal in the Brazilian region?
It is important to know if you have premenstrual syndrome or your period during your treatment, as the Brazilian area is sensitive during this time and can cause great discomfort.
However, if your pubic skin is in a healthy condition, the pain will be at the same level as laser hair removal in the bikini area, so you can expect a pain level of around 8 in the Brazilian area as well.
Check out the “ Brazilian Laser Hair Removal: A Guide for Beginners . ”
How painful is laser hair removal on the upper lip ?
The upper lip is the most sensitive area of the body for laser hair removal. The skin on the upper lips is the thinnest, while the hair is dense. Therefore, you are likely to experience a level 7 to 9 pain sensation on the pain scale if you are planning to have laser hair removal on your upper lips.
How painful is laser hair removal in general?
We've already talked about how painful laser hair removal is on the most sensitive areas of the body. Now let's see how painful it is on other parts of the body where the skin is thicker and the hair may not be too coarse.
armpits:
The armpits are one of the most frustrating areas when it comes to hair removal. Waxing brings tears to your eyes and shaving causes cuts. With laser hair removal, the pain level in the armpits is 8 to 10.
But the good thing is that laser hair removal on the armpits shows exceptional results and the pain is worth it.
Poor:
Laser hair removal on the arms is the most comfortable compared to all other areas of the body. You will only feel a slight discomfort of levels 2 to 4 on the pain scale.
Legs :
While the skin on your legs is thick, the hair is hard. Therefore, you will probably feel more pain on your legs than on your arms. Pain intensity ranges from 5 to 7, depending on the coarseness of your hair, the condition of your skin, and your pain tolerance.
stomach and back:
The hair on the abdomen and back is fine and the skin is strong. Therefore, you will feel little pain in this area. On the pain scale, the range is between 3 and 5.
Is there a way to make laser hair removal almost painless?
The best thing about laser hair removal is that it is never as painful as waxing. Also, hair regrowth is significantly reduced, so after a certain period of time, you won't need to do any more laser hair removal sessions at all.
We also have a few tips for you to ensure that you experience laser hair removal with as little pain as possible.
- Be sure to discuss any underlying skin conditions, medications, and pain tolerance with your doctor and practitioners. Also, ask them about their technique and the precautions they take to manage pain.
- Prepare well for your treatment . You can do this by drinking plenty of fluids, eating healthy and getting enough sleep.
- Prepare your skin by cleansing and shaving before your treatment.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen about 30 minutes before your session.
- Use a numbing cream on the treatment area as it can greatly reduce discomfort.
The 5 Almost Painless Methods for Removing Unwanted Hair from the Body
Laser hair removal could be your semi-permanent solution to unwanted hair, but if you're worried about the pain involved, here are some almost pain-free hair removal methods for you.
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Shave
Shaving is a top hair removal method when it comes to being virtually pain-free. Prep your skin, apply a lubricant, run a fresh and sharp razor over your skin and you'll have hairless skin without the pain.
But keep in mind that you will have to shave once or twice a week to keep the hair under control and this can be annoying.
Finally, we want to talk about a hair removal method that is closely related to laser hair removal. It is the IPL hair removal device. It provides results within 8 to 12 sessions and helps you stay hairless for up to 6 months.
However, many IPL hair removal devices cause an unpleasant feeling on the skin. Although it is much less compared to laser, it might not be acceptable for many.
That is why there is a device that is equipped with ice cooling technology to reduce the discomfort caused by most IPL devices. It is the Ulike Air 3 IPL Hair Removal Device for Face, Pubic Hair and Body .
With Ulike you can remove unwanted hair from head to toe almost painlessly.
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Electric epilators
Electric epilators like the Finishing Flawless Hair Removal Tool are similar to shaving, but even better. They feature an LED light, can be used on dry skin, are travel-friendly, and remove unwanted hair in seconds.
These epilators are ideal for virtually painless facial hair removal.
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home remedies
The next method of hair removal that we will talk about requires regular repetitions and shows its effect slowly. But it is almost painless and also good for the skin. This method is a homemade remedy for removing hair.
Moreover, homemade remedies are inexpensive and give the skin a healthy glow. Some such facial masks for hair removal are:
- yogurt, turmeric and chickpea flour
- papaya, turmeric and lemon juice
- pumice
- alum
- chickpea flour, rice flour and rose water
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depilatory creams
Depilatory creams have long been used in intimate areas such as the bikini line and underarms to remove unwanted hair. The reason for this is the comfort and convenience that depilatory creams provide.
Simply spread a layer of the cream evenly over the area to be treated, wait a few minutes, wipe it off with a washcloth or spatula, and you're ready to go.
The final verdict
Laser hair removal is a long-lasting but painful method of hair removal. Some people only feel the pain like a sting, others like a snapping rubber band.
It is most painful on the upper lips and least painful on the arms. The intensity of pain varies in the bikini line, Brazilian area and armpits.
You should also try the Ulike Air 3 IPL hair removal device if you want to get laser-like results without the pain.