Laser Hair Removal is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures worldwide—and for good reason. People everywhere are choosing it to achieve smooth, hair-free skin on various parts of their bodies. And while Laser Hair Removal is effective for many areas of the body, one of the most sought-after treatments is for the face. After all, not everyone will see your stubble-free bikini line, but they will certainly notice your face – and the unwanted hair that’s growing from it.
You might be someone who has been contemplating Laser Hair Removal for your face. If so, you’ve come to the right place. At Ideal Image, we believe it is important to help you understand not only how it works but also how it feels. If you’ve ever wondered what full-face Laser Hair Removal entails and whether or not Laser Hair Removal is safe for your face, keep reading.
Our highly-trained and certified Medical Professionals have performed thousands of facial laser hair treatments, and we know just what questions you want answered. Read on to learn more about what it’s like to get Laser Hair Removal on your face and how to prepare for Laser Hair Removal safely and effectively.
What Is Laser Hair Removal?
Laser Hair Removal uses a concentrated beam of light that selectively targets the pigment (melanin) in hair follicles, a process known as selective thermolysis. The light energy from the laser is converted to heat which ultimately damages the follicle, inhibiting hair growth.
Many people who seek treatment at Ideal Image will compare the sensation of Laser Hair Removal to the feeling of a rubber band snapping against your skin. Certain areas of the body, or even of the face, are more sensitive than others; however, this facial treatment is no more painful than your standard Laser Hair Removal or even a regular waxing session.
Laser Hair Removal: Lip
While the upper lip is one of the more common areas in which Laser Hair Removal is performed, it is, unfortunately, one of the most sensitive areas to treat. The skin on the upper lip is significantly thinner than on other parts of the body lending to its sensitivity. We will do our best to help manage pain during treatment and provide the most comfortable and efficacious procedure.
Laser Hair Removal: Eyebrows
Facial Laser Hair Removal is a wildly popular choice when it comes to eyebrow management. If you are trying to remove unwanted hair from your face, you are likely trying to remove it from this area. Thankfully, the eyebrows are a lot less painful than the upper lip. Eyebrow Laser Hair Removal is also significantly less painful than other methods of hair removal, like threading, tweezing, or waxing. Laser Hair Removal also makes it less likely that you will end up with an ingrown hair.
Laser Hair Removal: Chin
Even less painful than Laser Hair Removal for your eyebrows is chin Laser Hair Removal, which easily removes thick and dark hairs. We understand how having even one hair out of place can cause you to feel self-conscious, so we employ special efforts to help you feel comfortable and dignified during treatment. The skin around the chin is much thicker than other areas, like the upper lip, so treatment is practically painless. Bear in mind, though, that your individual treatment may be more painful if the area has more hair to remove, such as a full beard.
What Does Laser Hair Removal Feel Like On The Face? Is It More Painful Than Other Areas?
When you first arrive at one of your local Ideal Image locations for your treatment, you will be greeted warmly by our team of highly trained Medical Professionals. Before beginning treatment you will receive appropriate eye protection to wear during the procedure. Once treatment begins, a stinging sensation will be felt in the treatment area. This feeling usually only lasts for a few minutes and will be limited to the area of treatment. You do not have to worry about having a full-body reaction.
Many people worry that Laser Hair Removal is more painful on the face than on other areas of the body. Well, that’s both true and false. Laser Hair Removal is more painful in treatment areas with thinner skin. The skin across the face varies in thickness, so the level of pain will vary, too. Fortunately, any amount of pain is often very short-lived. The lasers we use at Ideal Image release a blast of cold air simultaneously with each pulse, which helps cool the surface of the skin and alleviate the pain.
While Laser Hair Removal can cause a bit of pain, stinging, or irritation on your face during treatment, it is not as intense as the pain you might experience with other hair removal treatments. One thing that is important to remember is that your skin is highly unique and different areas of the body vary in sensitivity. What might be a very painful area for one person may not hurt another very much at all. We will work with you to manage and mitigate any pain while devising the perfect, efficacious full-face Laser Hair Removal plan.
What Will I Feel Like After My Full-Face Laser Hair Removal Session?
People continue to return to Ideal Image for Laser Hair Removal sessions due to the ease and flexibility of treatment. With virtually no downtime at all, you can walk right out of our clinic and back into your regular life without losing any time. Any sensitivity or pain you might have felt during the treatment session will start to fade away. However, you should expect to have some bumps, redness, or a rough texture on the treated areas of your skin for a few days. It might feel like a sunburn sensation. You may also get itchy as the area continues to recover. This is a normal part of healing and should go away within a week.
Why Is Facial Hair So Different From Body Hair?
Facial and body hair differ in texture, density, and response to laser treatment. In men, beard hair is often coarser, denser, and darker than body hair. In women, facial hair is usually finer and lighter, whereas body hair tends to be thicker and denser.
Because laser hair removal targets melanin (pigment) in the hair, darker, coarser hair absorbs more energy and can result in a stronger snapping sensation. This makes laser treatment on areas with thick hair—whether on the face or body—potentially more uncomfortable. However, areas with more nerve endings, such as the upper lip, can feel more sensitive despite the hair being finer.
While laser hair removal may cause temporary discomfort, it does not lead to long-term pain. With our specialized treatments, you can safely work toward smooth, hair-free skin.
Is Laser Hair Removal Safe For The Face? Will My Skin Have A Reaction?
Some clients experience a minor skin reaction after Laser Hair Removal, particularly redness or swelling in the treatment area that subsides within a few hours. Most, if not all, of the irritation can be soothed with an aloe vera gel or frozen ice pack applied to the treatment area. Likewise, exfoliating the area beforehand can help reduce the risk of a reaction post-treatment. In the long term, facial Laser Hair Removal can actually help to lessen the number of breakouts or blemishes in the treatment area, since it lessens the risk of ingrown hairs. Wearing a medical-grade sunblock with SPF will also help keep the skin safe between treatments and reduce the chances of discomfort.
Do I Need Multiple Treatments of Full-Face Laser Hair Removal?
Hair grows in cycles and each follicle progresses at its own pace. Lasers work best on follicles that are in the growth cycle during treatment. Multiple treatments are necessary to be able to catch the growth cycle for the sometimes thousands of follicles in the treatment area. No matter what part of the body receives Laser Hair Removal, we recommend that you return for multiple sessions to get the most out of your treatment. After you meet with an Aesthetic Consultant to discuss your needs, you will be recommended a series of treatments that you can schedule every couple of months until your follicles have totally fallen out.
Don’t get discouraged, though. While you may need to come back for a few more sessions of Laser Hair Removal on your face, you will be able to see results immediately after your very first visit to Ideal Image. Your results will only become more apparent and more permanent as time goes on and you continue to get treatments.
I Want To Prepare For Laser Hair Removal. What Do I Need To Do?
When you meet with an Aesthetic Consultant for the first time, you will be able to directly address your concerns and make plans for your future care. While planning your personalized treatment, you will be given a list of preparation instructions so you can come to your first visit totally ready. Not much is required of you beforehand, especially since this is a quick in-and-out treatment. However, it is important that you avoid the sun including tanning beds and sunless tanning products for at least 4 weeks prior to treatment. For at least 2 weeks prior to treatment, you should avoid using products containing Retin-A. And 24 hours before treatment, you should shave the treatment area. Do not wax, tweeze, or use hair removal creams at any time during treatment.
Why Choose Ideal Image For Laser Hair Removal?
Ideal Image is proud to have over two decades of experience with laser hair removal. We pioneered the industry and stand at the forefront of the Laser Hair Removal industry, committed to delivering an unparalleled experience that sets us apart from everyone else. As you embark on your journey towards smoother, hair-free skin, here are the two distinctive pillars that define the Ideal Image difference:
Cutting Edge Technology: Laser Hair Removal is an art, and at Ideal Image, we’ve perfected it. Our commitment to staying ahead in the field is what sets us apart as the true gold standard in Laser Hair Removal. We select our laser systems with meticulous precision, opting for industry-leading technologies renowned for their effectiveness and safety. When this is combined with our decades of experience perfecting the settings and treatment protocols to target and eliminate hair in the safest most effective way, we have a winning combination.
Medically Led Excellence: At the heart of Ideal Image’s success stands a team of dedicated Medical Professionals, ready to guide you on your journey. The Medical Professionals at Ideal Image include PAs, NPs, RNs, and certified practitioners, all sharing a commitment to your safety and satisfaction. Every location has a medical director overseeing the location. Unlike clinics without medical oversight, our approach is medically led, assuring every facet of your treatment adheres to the highest standards of care and professionalism.
Where Can I Learn More About Facial Laser Hair Removal?
From “How much is Laser Hair Removal for the face?” to “Is Laser Hair Removal Permanent?,” it’s likely you still have a few more questions about this treatment process. Get in touch with your trusted Medical Professionals at Ideal Image to learn anything and everything about Facial Laser Hair Removal. Schedule your complimentary consultation and you can meet with an Aesthetic Consultant in person or discuss your needs virtually. We can help you get rid of facial hair for good.
