Laser hair removal involves getting rid of the unwanted hair by exposing them to laser light. The light acts by destroying the hair follicle, hence, weakening it. The result is the removal of the hair. The process utilizes intense heat that damages the follicle leading to hair removal. The damaging of the hair follicle also prevents potential future hair growth. The process became commercially available back in the mid-1990s. The procedure has become very popular, and it is performed annually.
The discomfort accompanying the Round Rock laser hair removal process depends on the area being treated, the texture of the hair and the nature of the skin. Individuals with a dark skin experience pain because their skin has a lot pigment. The high amount of pigment on their skins makes them sensitive to the discomfort. Having dark and coarse hair is also associated with distress. The procedure also incorporates the use of a cooling device that is designed to minimize the pain. The cooling equipment also helps in protecting the skin from excessive heat. A local anesthetic agent may also be applied to help numb the skin, thus, desensitizing it from the pain. Analgesic agents such as ibuprofen can be taken early for prophylaxis against the pain. Pain killers are highly recommended for patients whose skin is sensitive.
Hair removal using a laser beam gives one a feeling of a rubber band being continually snapped at the skin. Besides the pain, inflammation may also arise from the procedure. The patient may experience redness, swelling and itchiness. The inflammation process qualifies the administration of the analgesic agents before performing the procedure on a patient. The upper lip, underarms, and the bikini are some of the areas where the patient will likely have pain. Cold compresses is also a nonpharmacological way of managing the discomfort arising from laser hair removal. Application of ice to the treated area may help in subsidizing the discomfort. Pain arising immediately after the procedure may be reducing the use of steroid creams on the treated area.
How to prepare for the procedure to minimize the resulting pain
- Avoid much exposure to the sun: staying in the sun may result in tans. A tan is likely to increase issues such as the skin lightening. It is advisable to wait until the tan fades away before going through the procedure.
- One should also avoid hair plucking, waxing, and electrolysis. The hair removal methods could end up weakening the hair follicle causing problems to the hair removal. Shaving is recommended since it preserves the hair shaft together with the hair follicle. Shaving may prevent the laser from targeting the hair above the skin.
After the procedure, it is advisable for the patient to use sunscreens whenever they are in the sun.