By Mariela
Updated: September 12, 2024
7 minutes
Hair removal using a laser was introduced several decades ago as one of the permanent and pain-free hair removal methods. Although calling it permanent might not be true, the advances in laser hair removal over the years have made it pain-free.
If we talk about the process of laser hair removal machines, they use an intense concentrated beam of light energy to burn hair follicles. The fierce power of the laser makes it feel like something is stabbing or burning your skin every time it flashes. Thus, laser hair removal is a painful procedure. This pain is one of the reasons why people avoid it even if it gives long-lasting results.
But, how about we tell you that laser hair removal machines have come a long way and now, there are many options for painless laser hair removal. So, let us explore those options and learn about painless laser hair removal machines in this article.
Table of Contents:
- Part 1: Is There Painless Laser Hair Removal? (Traditional Vs. Advanced Laser Hair Removal)
- Part 2: Which Laser Hair Removal Machine is Least Painful? (Comparison of the Laser Hair Removal Machines)
- Part 3: Painless Laser Hair Removal at Home
Part 1: Is There Painless Laser Hair Removal? (Traditional Vs. Advanced Laser Hair Removal)
Painless laser hair removal is possible with the use of advanced technologies. So, yes, there is painless laser hair removal in the modern day.
Let us first discuss what makes traditional laser hair removal machines painful and how modern technology helps your clients get laser hair removal without any pain.
Why is Laser Hair Removal Painful?
A laser, in simplest terms, is a high-energy beam of concentrated light. In laser hair removal, this intense light energy is first absorbed into the pigment of the hair, flashes, changes into heat, and burns the hair follicle.
Furthermore, it is important to note that the beam of laser hair removal is highly targeted and it works on a small portion of the skin at one time.
The smaller the skin zone at which light energy flashes, the more intense this energy is. Consequently, the client experiences pain and discomfort in the treatment area.
Also, note that some clients only feel a snapping or stinging sensation on the skin while others experience pain and a burning sensation. The reason behind this variable experience is,
- Condition and health of the skin in the treatment area
- The pain threshold of the client
- Skin sensitivity of the treatment area
- Type and intensity of laser used
- Skin tone and hair color
Advancement in Painless Laser Technology
In the past, the pain intensity of laser hair removal was around on a scale of 10 because of a lack of pain reduction technologies. However, the times and laser hair removal systems have changed.
As pain caused by laser hair removal made people discouraged, advanced laser technologies were introduced to make the laser hair removal experience more comfortable. The advancements in laser technology and techniques of the procedure that make laser hair removal painless include,
- Integration of cooling systems like sapphire ice-cooling system that copes up with the heat caused by laser and reduces stinging sensation
- Application of local anesthetic agents on the skin that makes the skin numb and increases pain threshold
- Better pre and post-care of laser hair removal
Moreover, it is essential to know that you might not experience any pain in laser hair removal with the advanced technology. However, there are chances of feeling a slight discomfort. Therefore, we recommend that you expect laser hair removal to be pain-free but not entirely comfortable.
Part 2: Which Laser Hair Removal Machine is Least Painful? (Comparison of the Laser Hair Removal Machines)
When laser hair removal was introduced, ruby was the type of laser used in laser hair removal systems. Although effective, they offered a painful experience. Therefore, scientists continued experimenting with lasers to discover new technologies.
Currently, several types of laser hair removal machines with little painful experience are available.
Types of Painless Laser Hair Removal Machines
Here are different types of Painless laser hair removal machines,
Nd: Yag Laser Hair Removal Machines
In the Nd: Yag laser hair removal machine, a light intensity of 1064 nm is used. This intensity of light directly targets the hair follicles without affecting the skin as its pigment absorption is low. Also, its heat level is comparatively low.
Thus, it is suitable for dark skin and people with sensitive skin.
Alexandrite Laser Hair Removal Machines
Alexandrite laser hair removal machines utilize light at a wavelength of 755 nm which is filtered from a stone. It targets the pigment in the hair precisely making it best for dark hair.
As it can be easily absorbed into the hair, a low-intensity level is used. Low intensity means less pain.
Diode Laser Hair Removal Machines
Diode laser hair removal machines have variable intensity of light sanding from 800 nm to 1000 nm. Just like Nd: Yag, it has a low melanin absorption. Thus, it is not a painful hair removal machine.
Features of Painless Laser Machines
Below are the mechanisms used in painless laser hair removal machines.
Cooling Systems
To offset the heat caused by the intense radiation of laser hair removal machines, different types of cooling systems are integrated into the machine. As the intensity level increases, these cooling systems give skin a soothing sensation by reducing the temperature of the treatment area in contact with the machine.
These cooling systems include,
- Ice cooling system
- Air cooling system
- Water cooling system
- Contact cooling system
- Cryogen cooling system
- Water cooling system
Low-Intensity Pulses
While cooling systems are mainly used to enhance the customer experience, some devices like Soprano Titanium use low-intensity pulses. Such systems start to flash light rays at a low intensity and slowly increase the intensity when the client’s skin becomes used to the previous level.
Also, they have 3 types of wavelengths of light.
Part 3: Painless Laser Hair Removal at Home
Although in-office laser hair removal can be almost painless, it is still inconvenient and costly. Therefore, at-home laser hair removal machines are trendy right now.
There are two types of at-home laser hair removal machines,
- At-home IPL hair removal devices like Ulike Air 10 IPL hair removal handset
- At-home laser hair removal devices like Tria Beauty Laser Hair Removal Device
The growing popularity of at-home laser hair removal devices is because of the following reasons,
- The comfortable and nearly painless experience these devices offer
- They are available at more than 10 times lower than the price of an in-office laser hair removal treatment
- You do not have to travel as you can do your DIY semi-permanent hair removal session making at-home laser convenient
- These devices help maintain privacy as well
Painless At-Home Laser Hair Removal Machines
Let us talk about painless at-home laser hair removal machines and how they compare to in-office laser hair removal using the Ulike Air 10 IPL hair removal device as a reference.
Features
Just like in-office laser hair removal devices, Ulike Air 10 also has advanced ice-cooling technology to make the hair removal experience nearly painless. In addition, it also has skin sensors and UV filters to provide your skin with extra protection.
Effectiveness
Ulike Air 10 has dual light technology that makes treatments with Ulike Air10 IPL hair removal device much faster than in-office laser hair removal.
Also, it takes around a year to get desired results with professional laser hair removal and only 4 weeks for Ulike Air 10 to show results and you are almost hairless by the end of 12 weeks.
Regarding the energy output, medical-grade lasers use an energy output of 30-60 J/cm2. The energy output of the Ulike Air 10 IPL device is also 26 J/cm2. Thus, it is close to medical-grade lasers.
Cost
The estimated cost of laser hair removal on 1 part of the body is around 10000 dollars (accumulated cost of 10 sessions). In contrast, Ulike Air 10 only costs $399 ($299 discount) and you can use it on your full body.
Therefore, at-home laser hair removal devices provide an economical solution to unwanted hair removal.
How to Use At-Home Painless Laser Hair Removal Devices?
If you have never used an at-home laser hair removal device and are afraid to use one, do not worry as you can follow these simple steps to use it without any side effects,
- Just like with laser hair removal, you have to prepare your skin well before your treatment
- Shave the skin with the safety razor given in the box of Ulike
- Wear the safety goggles already present in the box
- Turn on the device and it will set the intensity automatically depending on your skin tone and treatment area
- Now, stamp the device in tricky zones and use its thumb-free mode in a large area
- Follow your hair removal session with skin moisturization
- Also, shave and not wax your unwanted hair in between sessions for optimal results
Conclusion
Since the introduction of laser hair removal machines, laser hair removal technology has come a long way. The painful ruby laser machines are now replaced by comfortable devices with ice-cooling systems and low-intensity pulses.
Most of the advanced laser in-office laser hair removal devices use Nd: YAG, Alexandrite, and diode. All of these laser technologies differ in the wavelength of light used and absorption by melanin.
Additionally, at-home IPL hair removal devices can also be used. Note that at-home laser hair removal devices are currently more popular than in-office lasers. The popularity of at-home IPL and laser hair removal machines among women is because of the comfort, convenience, and cost-effectiveness these offer.
