Laser Hair Removal: Does it Hurt?

If you’ve been looking for an effective and long-lasting way to get rid of unwanted hair, you might have probably come across laser hair removal.

This offers better results than shaving, tweezing, and waxing, but many who are considering laser hair removal are afraid that it will hurt. So the question is: is it really painful?

To answer this question, it is best to understand first what laser hair removal is and how does it work.

Getting to Know Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal uses concentrated pulses of light that stops hair growth. At Cutis Laser Clinics in Singapore, we use the Cutera CoolGlide laser, which is an FDA-cleared laser technology that can help you achieve permanent hair reduction. It features a built-in cooling design, which improves patient comfort.

The process of hair removal starts with the CoolGlide lasers penetrating the skin by delivering pulses of light energy to heat hundreds of hair follicles in a short amount of time. The melanin or the pigment in the hair absorbs the light, which then damages the hair follicles and disables hair growth.

One good thing about this hair removal method is its ability to create longer wavelengths. This feature, along with the device’s innovative cooling design, makes laser hair removal both safe and effective.

The Real Deal About Pain and Discomfort

The truth is, pain and discomfort vary to every individual. There might be some level of discomfort during the treatment, but the amount or intensity of it will depend on a few factors like the area being treated or your unique level of pain tolerance.

For example, you might feel some discomfort doing the treatment on your underarms because of skin is thinner in that area compared to your lower legs.

It is good to know, however, that most patients find the process completely tolerable. Compared to waxing, it doesn’t hurt as much and the whole process is way faster.

Many people say it feels like tiny pinpricks, while others compare it to a rubber band being flicked against the skin or the treated area. But then again, it will depend on your pain tolerance, as well as the darkness/coarseness of the hair.

If you think that you have a low tolerance for pain, you don’t have to worry that much, as numbing cream can be applied to the skin before the treatment.

If you, on the other hand, have sensitive skin and are worried about how it will handle/tolerate the hair removal process, you can ask for a patch test first.

It is Not 100% Permanent

In our blog titled, Is There a Permanent Way to Remove Unwanted Hair, we mentioned that laser hair removal cannot remove 100% of your hair. It can remove about 80 to 90% and any left hair behind should be fine and light. Studies also suggest that it can remove hair by 20 to 90% on ideal candidates.

Nevertheless, laser hair removal is FDA-cleared for permanent hair reduction. This only means that it can permanently reduce the total number of your hair, but not necessarily get rid of it permanently. It is also good to know that the result is long-term with a stable reduction of hair.

Sessions Required and Duration of Results

The number of treatments needed varies, but most patients will require an average of 8 to 12 sessions to see effective results. This is because the laser only targets hair in the growth or Anagen stage. Multiple sessions are necessary, as only a certain percentage of hair is permanently treated in a single session in some areas.

The duration of results can also vary depending on the amount of hair you had when you started and how many sessions you had. Touch-up treatments are beneficial helping you maintain good results.

Only Trust a Qualified Professional

Before you go to a salon or spa to get laser hair removal, it is important to know that only medical or aesthetic doctors are allowed to perform an optimal setting for laser procedure in Singapore.

This is to ensure safe and effective treatment and avoid any damage to the skin. You can check out our previous blog to learn more about laser hair removal and some simple guidelines before booking an appointment.

At Cutis Laser Clinics in Singapore, we have our Harvard-trained aesthetic doctor, Dr. Sylvia Ramirez, who was also the regional trainer for Cutera Inc. laser and light aesthetic procedure. This gives patients an assurance that she has the experience, skills, and qualifications required to perform laser hair removal.

If you’re tired of ingrown hairs, tiny red bumps, and other problems associated with conventional methods, it is time to consider laser hair removal. Contact Cutis Laser Clinics today and schedule a consultation with our aesthetic doctor.

Tags: Permanent Hair Reduction, Laser Hair Reduction, Aesthetic Clinic in Singapore