Does numbing cream work for laser hair removal?

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Do I Need Skin Numbing for My Laser Hair Removal Treatment?

Posted on February 28, 2017 by Client Services

As all women know, the bikini area is by far the most sensitive area when it comes to laser hair treatment. Shaving and waxing often lead to red, bumpy, and irritated skin which can be embarrassing during bathing suit season.

Bikini line laser hair removal will not only improve the appearance of your bikini line, but it will eliminate any bumps or irritations caused by other hair removal methods, leaving your skin looking absolutely flawless.

Talk to a Laser Specialist about your concerns over sensitivity during laser hair removal in a FREE laser hair removal consultation. Visit our contact page or call 866-332-2639.

However, laser hair removal does not come without disadvantages. The number one concern for those interested in getting laser hair removal treatments is the amount of pain that is experienced during each session. While most people compare the discomfort felt during sessions to the pinch of a rubber band being snapped against the skin, it’s understandable that everyone feels pain differently. This is why so many laser clinics now offer skin numbing options, which can be especially comforting for those planning to receive their treatments in a more sensitive area.

Does Laser Hair Removal Hurt?

You might be asking how painless is pain-free laser hair removal treatments are for your bikini line or Brazilian area. The simple answer is it’s pain-free and requires no downtime. Most people experience slight discomfort during their treatments and find other hair removal methods like waxing or threading to be much more painful. If pain is a concern for you, there are several options available that significantly reduce any discomfort. The most popular solutions are numbing creams and cryogenic technology, which might be offered at your local laser clinic.

Numbing Creams

One of the most popular solutions for laser hair removal discomfort is numbing creams. These can be applied topically and are typically fast-acting. Not all laser clinics have numbing creams on location as an option for their clients, so it’s best to ask in advance whether or not your clinic carries them. Numbing cream should have benzocaine, lidocaine, or tetracaine as the main ingredient or might contain a combination of the three. It’s these components that ensure the cream is absorbed into the skin immediately, effectively numbing the area within seconds.

A well-known numbing cream often used during laser hair removal and many non-invasive surgical procedures is a triple anesthetic cream. Also known as TAC, this type of cream is made of 20 percent benzocaine and an 80 percent combination of both lidocaine and tetracaine. The use of this cream eliminates discomfort and gives technicians the ability to use higher laser settings, giving you faster results. It’s best to do a bit of research before you chose a numbing cream, as some aren’t as effective as others and might work differently on different skin types. Additionally, using the wrong cream can increase your risk of experiencing side effects such as blistering, irritation, and prolonged numbness.

Ice Cubes or Cold Compress

Creating a sensation similar to that of numbing creams by using ice or a cold compress will also effectively numb your skin. Apply cold to the area for several minutes immediately before laser treatment and you will experience less discomfort during your session. A cold compress is also useful as it reduces swelling and redness. The downfall of this numbing method is that it requires more time to numb the skin, which takes away from the duration of your laser hair removal session.

Another downfall to using a cold compress to numb your bikini area is that the effects don’t last very long. While laser hair removal sessions only take a few minutes, depending on the size of the area being treated, the numbing effects of the ice might not last long enough to complete the treatment. If your technician is patient enough, you might be able to apply the ice a second time, but your laser clinic should be able to offer you a better option.

Dynamic Cooling Device

One of the most effective numbing tools for laser hair removal is a dynamic cooling device, or DCD. Used alongside the lasers, dynamic cooling devices function by spraying the treated area with a burst of cryogen, which creates a cooling sensation. By applying this to the skin before and after each laser pulse, the treated area will be numbed. This is especially effective when the bikini area is lasered because the cryogen is applied continuously during treatment. This speeds up the hair removal process, as numbing the skin allows technicians to use a more powerful laser setting.

DCDs are used most often alongside an alexandrite laser, which is one of the most effective lasers used in laser hair removal today. What makes the alexandrite laser so popular is its ability to work on all skin types and colors, which is a necessity for most laser clinics. This laser and the DCD are designed to work simultaneously to protect the skin. The DCD specifically targets the epidermis, or outer layer of the skin, allowing other layers to maintain their normal temperature.

Which Numbing Technique Is Best for the Bikini Line?

While all of these numbing techniques offer the benefit of reducing swelling and irritation, they might not all be the best option for you. Many who have experienced laser hair removal in the pubic area suggest a combination of both a numbing cream and a dynamic cooling device. This way you are covered if the numbing cream wears off or isn’t as effective as you’d like.

If you’re looking into Brazilian laser hair removal, then your research on numbing creams should be more extensive, as some numbing creams have been known to cause irritation when used on sensitive areas. It’s better to be over-prepared than unaware. Don’t let your anxieties about potential pain cause you to leave the laser clinic with an unfinished treatment. Instead, find comfort in the fact that there are ways to avoid pain, and most people find their laser hair removal sessions to be pretty painless.

When your research is complete and you’re ready to begin your laser hair removal treatments, give Body Details a call to schedule your appointment. We’ll be happy to answer all your laser hair removal questions!

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