Does Laser Hair Removal Hurt?

Laser hair removal is one of the most effective and popular long-term solutions for reducing unwanted hair. One of the most common questions people ask is: Does it hurt? Before answering that, let’s explore how laser hair removal has evolved and what you can expect from the treatment.

What Does “LASER” Stand For?

Did you know that LASER is actually an acronym for: Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation? This groundbreaking discovery, the “laser”  , has led to revolutionary applications in medicine and aesthetics.

A Brief History of Laser Hair Removal

The Early Days: Lasers in Medicine

Since the early history and invention of the first working laser by Theodore Maiman in the 1960’s who used a ruby crystal to set the groundwork for future laser technologies, lasers have come a long way in their technological advancement and efficacy. 

Using lasers for laser hair removal was discovered somewhat inadvertently while lasers were being tested and developed for use in medical science and dermatology for treatment of conditions such as port wine stains and vascular lesions. While these initial lasers had limitations to their use and safety, oftentimes posing inconsistent, damaging, or unpredictable results, important observations were made about the impact of these lasers to hair within and surrounding the areas being treated with laser. Scientists noticed that hair to the affected areas did not grow back, and thus was born curiosity about the application of lasers specific to the use in hair removal. 

The Breakthrough of “Selective Photothermolysis”

By the 1990s, the serendipitous discovery of lasers in the application for hair removal had garnered more direct attention and research, when a team of scientists at Massachusetts General Hospital published research about the concept of “selective photothermolysis,” which allows for lasers to be used at specific wavelengths to directly target the pigment in hair follicles without impact or damage to surrounding skin. 

FDA Approval & Early Limitations

In 1995, the FDA approved the “Ruby Laser,” a 694 nm wavelength laser, for laser hair removal, though this system was only safe and effective for patients with light skin and dark hair. By 1997 it was a burgeoning mainstream solution for permanent hair reduction in individuals with light skin and dark hair. At this point, as the procedure picked up in popularity, it still faced several limitations given pain concerns, and also limitations in treatment of a broad range of skin tones. 

The Evolution of Laser Technology

By the early 2000’s, solutions to these limitations in technology were coming out with the release of lasers with additional wavelengths, such as the Alexandrite (755 nm wavelength), the Diode laser (800-810 nm wavelengths), and finally the Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm wavelength), and the only laser truly safe and effective for use in individuals with darker skin tones. With its longer wavelength at 1064 nm, the Nd:Yag laser was able to bypass the melanin and pigment in the skin of individuals with darker skin tones, and directly target the pigment in hair follicles without being absorbed by melanin in surrounding skin tissue, significantly reducing the risk of burns and hyperpigmentation.

Laser Hair Removal Today

Solutions for pain mitigation also continued to evolve and be enhanced as laser hair removal technologies became more widely accessible as they gained popularity and dermatology practices and medical spas began to incorporate the technologies into their practice. 

What the Treatment Feels Like

Many patients describe the sensation of modern devices such as the Candela GentleMax Pro (which houses both the Alexandrite and the Nd: YAG lasers), as a hot rubber band flicking against the skin, and/or like a mild, quick stinging sensation. Either way, it is universally agreed that the sensation associated with laser hair removal is mild, short-lived, and does not linger, making the procedure tolerable for most individuals. 

Built-In Comfort Features

Presently, technological refinements for lasers in the use of hair removal have widely evolved to ensure patient comfort and minimize risk to surrounding skin, through the incorporation of cooling technologies such as cooling sprays (cryogen), and other methods of contact cooling, which are built into the laser technologies. 

Personalized Pain Management

Additionally, different practices and providers, depending on skill and expertise, may incorporate additional measures to ensure patient comfort during these procedures. Because pain tolerance and sensitivity is extremely variable from individual to individual, much attention and care should be taken to individualize comfort measures, as much as possible. 

Treatment providers at Arta Medical Spa may prescribe a prescription-strength topical anesthetic for those individuals who may seek additional comfort measures, and/or use a combination of other modalities such as tapping, pressure, ice packs, and stress-balls to ensure the utmost comfort and success. We move at your pace and comfort, recognizing the vulnerability and uncertainty that some individuals may face during the procedure.

Laser Hair Removal for Darker Skin Tones

Though Laser hair removal has evolved significantly since its early discovery and introduction into the mainstream market, to be more inclusive and precise in the treatment of diverse skin tones and hair colors, it is important to note that presently, the Nd: YAG continues to be the only laser that is consistently safe and effective in treating dark skin tones for laser hair removal. Other lasers may pose risks like burns or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation if improperly used.

Also of note, though many practices are moving towards offering lasers with wavelengths safe for all skin tones, it is critical that you consider the experience, credentialing, licensing, and general knowledge about the anatomy and physiology of skin, particularly that of skin of color which is more prone to thermal injury (burns), when deciding on who and where to entrust the safety of your skin for laser hair removal. 

When choosing a provider, ensure they:

• Use FDA-cleared technology

• Have experience with diverse skin tones

• Are licensed medical professionals

Laser Hair Removal At Arta Medical Spa

At Arta Medical Spa, we offer inclusive, expert-led laser hair removal using the Candela GentleMax Pro, which includes both Alexandrite and Nd:YAG lasers—safe for all skin types.

we use the industry gold-standard technologies for laser hair removal, and are able to treat all ranges of lighter and darker skin tones. 

Why Clients Choose Us:

Our providers are licensed nurse practitioners with extensive expertise in internal medicine and training specific to laser hair removal. We specialize in the safe treatment of melanated skin, and pride ourselves in employing technologies safe for melanated skin, and laser operators who are experts in the treatment of melanated skin. 

We pride ourselves in going over and beyond the typical medical-spa setting, to offer the medical-grade compliance, protocols for safety, and quality-assurance of a clinical setting, ensuring the highest standard of care for every client. As such, all of our procedures and services are rendered by board-certified, licensed nurse practitioners. At Arta Medical Spa, clients remain with a single provider throughout the course of treatment, so you are not shuffled around between different providers, which ensures a comfortable rapport and valuable continuity of care, while minimizing risk and incidence of operator error.

Ready to Try Laser Hair Removal?

Curious about what laser hair removal feels like? At Arta Medical Spa, we offer free in-person consultations that include a personalized skin and hair assessment, a test spot so you can feel the sensation, and honest, expert advice in a professional setting

If you are interested in learning more about the laser hair removal process at Arta Medical Spa, and trialing the sensation of the laser with test-spots before you begin this postively live-altering journey, you are welcome to come do so during your in-person consultation!

Book Your Consultation Today

Take the first step in your smooth-skin journey—backed by science, skill, and safety. Contact Arta Medical Spa to schedule your consultation today!

References

American Academy of Dermatology. (n.d.). Laser hair removal: What to expect. https://www.aad.org/public/cosmetic/hair-removal/laser-hair-removal-dark-skin

American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. (n.d.). Laser hair removal. https://www.asds.net

APS Physics. (n.d.). Theodore Maiman and the first laser. https://www.aps.org/publications/apsnews/200008/maiman.cfm

Candela Medical. (n.d.). GentleMax Pro. https://candelamedical.com/na/product/gentlemax-pro

Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Port wine stains. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21563-port-wine-stains

DermNet. (n.d.). Lasers and skin of colour. https://dermnetnz.org/topics/lasers-and-skin-of-colour

Harvard Medical School. (n.d.). Selective photothermolysis: A precise science for pigmented and vascular lesions. https://hms.harvard.edu

Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Laser hair removal. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/laser-hair-removal/about/pac-20394555

National Institutes of Health. (n.d.). The invention of the laser. https://history.nih.gov/display/history/The+Invention+of+the+Laser