Does Brazilian Laser Hair Removal Hurt?

Removing unwanted hair around the bikini area is always a bit sensitive. First, the area is indeed very sensitive. Second, flashing your intimate parts at a technician may feel a bit uncomfortable. And third, because it is outright painful. Especially if you wax. Is Brazilian laser hair removal as painful as what people think?

Laser hair removal suffers a lot of misconceptions. Its history is rather short as it is a fairly new technique. Even though it is becoming more widely available and interest is growing, laser hair removal remains a bit obscure. A lot of people still are unsure about what the procedure entails, whether it is safe, if it hurts, if it is permanent or better than other hair removal options, etc.

How does it work?

Laser hair removal uses a concept called selective photothermolysis. The laser will produce energy using a set wavelength and pulse duration with a specific objective. The goal here is to reduce hair growth by damaging the hair follicle without damaging surrounding skin tissues.

During a laser hair removal session, the laser will target the pigments in the body hair. The light energy will then travel all the way down the hair to the follicle. There, the light will turn into thermal energy and cauterize the blood vessel feeding the follicle. No fuel, no growth. The hair follicle must be permanently damaged to offer satisfactory results.

One session will treat up to 20% of the body hair on the chosen area. This is because of the hair growth cycle. Laser hair removal only works when the hair and follicle are connected, allowing the energy to travel from the former to the latter. This only happens with hair in the anagen phase of growth. And unfortunately, only 20% of your hair is in this phase at any point in time.

Depending on your skin color, hair type and coarseness, genetics, past hair removal history and medication, you may need additional sessions. The Brazilian is a very hormonal area and therefore will need more sessions than for other areas.

What is Brazilian laser hair removal?

Brazilian laser hair removal simply is the laser treatment that removes unwanted hair around the intimate parts. There are several types of bikini laser hair removal procedures, removing more or less hair. Brazilian laser hair removal usually removes everything from the bikini line, bikini front, labia and inner buttocks.

One session will require up to 20 minutes. Hair on the Brazilian is on average coarser, thicker and darker. The area is also quite sensitive, even more so should a patient be on their period. At Infinity Laser Spa, we will treat your bikini as long as you wear a tampon.

Hair growth is mostly triggered and regulated by hormones. Therefore, being a hormonal area, the Brazilian may require additional sessions. While full legs laser hair removal can be done in six to eight sessions, most people will need eight to ten to be completely rid of their bikini hair.

Brazilian laser hair removal is mostly targeted at women. The same treatment for men is called mankini laser hair removal. It removes pubic hair around the intimate part and ball sacks as well as inner buttocks.

Is the treatment painful?

A huge misconception running around about laser hair removal is that it is painful. We have debunked that myth already. Laser hair removal is not painful. It is not painless either. Indeed, the sensations felt will first vary from one person to another because of their tolerance to pain.

Beyond that, laser hair removal feels like a rubber band snapping at the skin very briefly and quickly. It can also be compared to the sting of a mosquito. It may not be comfortable but it is not painful. However, the pubic area is much more sensitive than other areas of the body.

Thus, Brazilian laser hair removal, although not painful per se and in the stricter sense of the term, is a bit more uncomfortable than other areas. This is due to the fact that it is naturally more sensitive and that the hair is thicker and coarser. This may again depend on how tolerant you are to pain.

Is Brazilian laser hair removal better than waxing and shaving?

Most laser hair removal patients have waxed or shaved prior to making the switch. While shaving is fairly painless, it is inconvenient and time consuming. Plus, it stimulates hair growth and requires attention every other day. It is always something you will have to worry about.

Waxing is not that much better. Sure, it is not as inconvenient. You will wax once a month. However, let’s be honest. Saying that your hair will not grow back before three to four weeks is a huge lie. The hair starts to grow back immediately and pops back out after just a week or two. Plus, waxing comes with a few side effects of its own.

People who wax experience more ingrown hair outbreaks for example. But most important of all, waxing is very painful. It is not just unpleasant. It hurts. A lot. Your hair is being pulled from your skin. One a pain scale from one to ten, Brazilian laser hair removal is a two while waxing is a ten.

You cannot even compare because the difference is so huge. Next to waxing, laser hair removal is virtually painless. So yes, Brazilian laser hair removal is much better than Brazilian waxing. Not only is it faster and less painful but also more permanent!

How to prepare for my session?

Preparing for Brazilian laser hair removal is like preparing for any other areas of the body. Remember to communicate with your technician about your medication history as some medication can increase photosensitivity or interfere with the treatment.

You must come to your session clean-shaven, even around your most intimate parts to ensure all hair can be treated. Do not shave on dry skin. Clean your skin off any lotion, moisturizer, etc. Although the Brazilian is less likely to be exposed to the sun, if you go to the beach, make sure to apply a physical sunblock with SPF 50.

If you have been waxing until now, you must wait at least six weeks after your last treatment and prior to your session. This is how long it takes for the hair to completely grow back. Dress comfortably. Brazilian laser hair removal is not painful. However, it will leave your skin more sensitive and vulnerable. Therefore, avoid lacy and intricate underwear. Coton and comfort is what you need.