With skin numbing creams like Emla, laser hair removal doesn’t have to hurt. The topical treatment numbs the surface of the skin helping you get through painful laser hair removal treatments more comfortably.
How does laser hair removal work?
Laser hair removal can be an effective method for long-term hair reduction or removal on certain areas of your body.
During the treatment a laser emits light at a specific wavelength that targets the pigment (melanin) in your hair. The energy from the light is absorbed and converted into heat that then damages the hair and parts of the hair follicle from which it grows.
Lasers are most effective when hairs are in the active stage of their growth cycle and because not all hairs are actively growing at the same time laser treatments may need to be repeated.
The number of hair removal treatments needed also depends on factors such as your hair thickness, skin type and hair colour, with most people needing between 2 to 6 sessions.
Laser hair removal, for example, may not be as effective on blonde or grey hairs as it is on dark hairs which contain more melanin and some types of lasers may be more effective on darker skins than others.
The number of hair removal treatments needed also depends on factors such as your hair thickness, skin type and hair colour, with most people needing between 2 to 6 sessions. Laser hair removal, for example, may not be as effective on blonde or grey hairs as it is on dark hairs which contain more melanin and some types of lasers may be more effective on darker skins than others.
A gap of 4 to 6 weeks is generally needed between treatments to allow time for any regrowth. Your therapist will be able to give you advice on a treatment plan based on things such as your skin and hair colour, the location of the hair and the type of laser being used.
The number of hair removal treatments needed also depends on factors such as your hair thickness, skin type and hair colour.
Is laser hair removal painful?
There can be a large variation in the level of pain and discomfort experienced during laser hair removal. How much pain you feel may depend on which part of your body is being treated – the more sensitive the skin the more discomfort you are likely to feel. The underarms, bikini line and the skin around your lips, for example, tend to be more sensitive and so potentially more painful than other areas such as the legs. Laser removal of hairs on your back can also be painful because of the large number of hairs being removed.
Numbing the skin with a local anaesthetic such as Emla before starting your laser treatment can help minimise any pain or discomfort you may feel.
Emla is available as a cream in a convenient 5g or 30g tube and is suitable for treating areas of skin as small as your upper lip or bigger areas like your bikini line, back and arms.
How to use Emla skin numbing cream
Emla is a topical anaesthetic cream that contains lidocaine (lignocaine) and prilocaine.
It is applied directly to the skin to help lessen the pain experienced during common skin laser treatments such as the removal of unwanted hair.
1. Emla cream applied and covered with dressing
2. Penetrates skin
3. Disrupts nerve signaling
4. Numbs the skin
Apply Emla cream directly to the area that will undergo laser hair removal with a pressing motion, making sure not to spread out the cream. For more information on how to apply Emla click here.
Emla cream needs to be applied at least 1 hour before your hair removal session.
Laser hair removal preparation
You should be provided with a detailed set of instructions on how to prepare for your laser treatment – it’s important to follow these instructions as they can help make hair removal more effective and help reduce the risk of side effects.
Recommendations can include:
2-6 weeks
Prior to laser hair removal
- Avoid waxing, plucking and depilatory creams
- Remember to use sunscreen and avoid sun exposure, solariums and fake tanning as these make the skin darker – lasers are more effective if the hair is darker than the surrounding skin
12 hours
Prior to laser hair removal
- Shave the area that is going to be treated – ideally 12 hours before the laser treatment
- Avoid using deodorant or applying other skin products to the area on the treatment day
1 hour
Prior to laser hair removal
- Apply a topical numbing cream to help reduce pain from laser hair removal treatment
- It is recommended that Emla is applied to clean, dry skin one hour prior to your laser treatment
- Refer to the instructions included in the box to work out how much cream to use – the amount will vary depending on the size of the area being treated. Do not exceed the recommended amount.
You can find out more about using Emla in the Consumer Medicine Information leaflet or by talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
For laser hair removal with less pain, try Emla
If you have an upcoming laser treatment and are worried about it being painful, Emla numbing cream may be able to help. Emla skin numbing cream is readily available, without a prescription, at all major pharmacies. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for advice on whether numbing creams, such as Emla, are suitable for you.
FAQs
Using a numbing cream like Emla before undergoing laser hair removal can help reduce the pain. With skin numbing creams like Emla, laser hair removal doesn't have to hurt.
How many lasers are needed for hair removal? ›
What you can expect. Laser hair removal usually requires two to six treatments. The interval between treatments will vary depending on the location. On areas where hair grows quickly, such as the upper lip, the treatment might be repeated in four to eight weeks.
What are realistic expectations for laser hair removal? ›
The results vary from patient to patient. The color and thickness of your hair, area treated, type of laser used, and color of your skin all affect the results. You can expect a 10% to 25% reduction in hair after the first treatment. To remove the hair, most patients need 2 to 6 laser treatments.
How many laser treatments does it take to have no hair? ›
Everyone's body is different, and different biological factors can impact how many sessions you need in order to fully remove your unwanted hair. Generally, clients need about two to six laser treatments in order to completely get rid of hair.
Why can't you use numbing cream for laser hair removal? ›
This could lead to a serious reaction or burns at the end. So for this reason laser providers, like Cynosure encourage patients to avoid number creams during their laser hair removal treatments.
What happens if I stop laser hair removal after 4 sessions? ›
If treatment is stopped before all of the hair follicles have been destroyed, some may continue to grow. It is important to complete the recommended treatment plan to achieve the best results. Sometimes, the patient sees hairs are thicker and darker after the treatment when they have original light and fair hair.
Is 7 sessions of laser hair removal enough? ›
5-7 Treatments | 4-6 Weeks
Men will typically need about five to seven sessions to effectively rid the back of hair. Women who would like to opt to receive laser hair removal treatments on their back should only expect a couple of sessions.
What they don t tell you about laser hair removal? ›
Fact — Laser hair treatments don't work as well, and sometimes not at all on very fair or blond hair. The laser hair removal treatment requires pigment in the hair, or the beam of light will not reach the hair follicle. Hair that is gray or blond has less pigment, which can make laser hair removal ineffective.
What is the best frequency for laser hair removal? ›
As a general rule, you should come in for laser hair removal sessions every four to eight weeks until you are satisfied with your results. Depending on the contrast between your skin tone and hair color, among other factors, you may need around six treatment sessions to achieve flawlessly smooth skin.
Do you have to shave every time you do laser hair removal? ›
However, you should shave as necessary. Make sure you shave the day before your follow-up treatments, too. Remember, any area not shaved sufficiently will have to be skipped over during treatment.
It's recommended to wait at least 6-8 hours after a laser hair removal session before taking a shower; which should be cold or very mild. This gives the skin time to cool down and for any redness or swelling to subside. At Skin Perfection; London's Top Laser Hair Removal Clinic; we recommend you to avoid hot showers.
What happens if you only do laser hair removal once? ›
While a single laser hair removal session won't provide complete and permanent hair removal, you can expect a noticeable reduction in hair growth. Some hairs will shed in the days following the treatment.
Which is better for hair removal, laser or electrolysis? ›
Electrolysis is considered a more permanent solution than laser hair removal (it stops hair growth completely while laser hair removal slows and reduces hair growth), but it requires more individual sessions (closer to 14), and the sessions can take longer. You might not see full results for nearly 18 months.
How to make laser hair less painful? ›
You can use an ice pack to calm the treatment area. Use fragrance-free lotions to soothe the skin, and consider topical cortisone cream if there is significant irritation. Laser hair removal makes your skin more sensitive to the sun, so protect the treated area by keeping it covered and using sunscreen.
What is the best over the counter numbing cream for laser hair removal? ›
For laser hair removal with less pain, try Emla
If you have an upcoming laser treatment and are worried about it being painful, Emla numbing cream may be able to help. Emla skin numbing cream is readily available, without a prescription, at all major pharmacies.
Can you use Biofreeze before laser hair removal? ›
Biofreeze is not intended for this use.
Is 3 sessions enough for laser hair removal? ›
Laser hair removal only works on hair follicles while they're in their active growth stage, which is why it cannot remove all hair at once. It normally takes at least 6 to 12 sessions for the laser to successful target the majority of the hair follicles for complete smoothness.
Is it better to have 6 or 8 sessions of laser hair removal? ›
These can include your skin type, hair colour, and the treatment area. Generally, most people will require between 6-8 sessions of laser to achieve significant hair reduction.
How many laser treatments do I need for Brazilian? ›
The fact- “No one fits all” is also true for the Brazilian treatments. The effectiveness of the treatment depends on the thickness, growth and colour of the hair. So, the number of sessions one needs to undergo vary from person to person. Generally, 6-8 sessions are required to get your hair permanently removed.
Is 8 treatments enough for laser hair removal? ›
Hair has a continuous life cycle and at any given moment only about 20% of the hair is in its growth phase. This is why laser hair removal requires continuous sessions for successful hair reduction. On average, each patient, regardless of the area being treated, will require 6-8 treatments.
