Shaving and waxing the bikini area often results in bumpy and irritated skin, which can be embarrassing for the bikini season. Laser hair removal in these areas result in a far better appearance, but the treatment might come with a certain amount of pain that might scare some people off.

So do you need numbing cream for a Brazilian laser treatment? Most patients find the pain tolerable and compare the sensation to a rubber band snapping against the skin. But since different patients have different pain tolerance levels, most medical spas and beauty clinics offer numbing creams to ease the discomfort in the treatment areas, especially to those with low pain thresholds. 

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Do I Need a Numbing Cream for a Brazilian Laser Hair Removal?

According to the 2020 Plastic Surgery Statistics Report of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, there were a total of 757, 808 laser hair removal treatments performed in the past year alone. What most patients love about getting Brazilian laser treatments for the unwanted hair in their sensitive areas is that it leaves their skin flawless for a long time.

Brazilian laser hair removal treatments use light energy to destroy each hair follicle in the treatment area and prevent hair growth. Patients need multiple laser hair removal sessions to achieve their desired results, but the procedure is definitely worth it. In addition to having a hairless pubic area for several months, these treatments also reduce the appearance of ingrown hairs, red bumps, razor burns, and skin irritation.

Treatments are also essentially painless, thanks to the recent advancements in cosmetic technology. However, different patients have different levels of pain tolerance which is why many of them still experience some degree of discomfort during the treatment.

Medical spas and dermatology clinics give patients the option to use numbing creams and other solutions that make the procedure more comfortable for them. Numbing isn’t a necessary step but it’s highly recommended for patients with low pain tolerance.

How Numbing Creams Work

Numbing creams are one of the most commonly used numbing techniques for Brazilian laser hair removal treatments. They’re only applied on the surface of the skin, but they’re fast-acting when it comes to numbing the treatment areas. Most laser clinics offer numbing creams, but patients may also purchase their own preferred numbing cream.

Effective numbing creams should have at least one of the following numbing agents: lidocaine, benzocaine, or tetracaine. Some numbing products offer a combination of those three to provide quick numbing effects on the skin. It’s important to have at least one of these three active ingredients because they ensure that the product is directly absorbed into the skin within seconds of application.

Most numbing creams used in laser hair removal procedures are called “triple anesthetic creams.” They contain about 20% benzocaine combined with 80% tetracaine and lidocaine. This type of topical anesthetic allows laser technicians to use higher laser settings for a quicker treatment.

It’s also important to do your research on the different types of numbing creams because some of them work on certain skin types better than others. Using the wrong type of cream might also result in prolonged numbness, skin irritation, and blistering. 

What to Look for in a Numbing Cream

For people with extremely sensitive skin, it might be better to shop for their own numbing cream before the Brazilian laser hair removal appointment. Here are some of the most important things to consider when buying an anesthetic cream:

• Ingredients – Lidocaine is the most common active ingredient found in topical anesthetics. The product should contain at least 5% lidocaine to provide quick numbing results. Other active ingredients for these types of topical products are tetracaine and benzocaine.
• Formulation – It’s best to go for numbing creams that have a water-based formula. This prevents the product from feeling too greasy against the skin. It also allows the doctor to easily remove the cream on the treatment areas. People with sensitive skin should also check the label and choose a hypoallergenic product to avoid irritation.
• Instructions – Check if the product’s label includes an easy-to-follow guide on how to use it. This allows patients to use the product effectively and avoid possible side effects during or after the treatment.

How to Apply a Numbing Cream Before the Treatment

Numbing creams come with different guides and instructions that should be followed to avoid side effects, but here’s how the application of numbing creams usually go:

• Step 1: Wash the Treatment Areas – Wash the areas with gentle soap and clean water to eliminate all dirt and oil before the laser treatment. It also makes the numbing cream more effective as the skin absorbs the product better.
• Step 2: Wear Latex Gloves – Latex or other waterproof gloves help block the anesthetic cream from getting on the fingertips and accidentally numbing them.
• Step 3: Apply the Right Amount of Cream – Make sure to only use the right amount of numbing cream indicated in the instructions.
• Step 4: Cover the Treatment Area with Plastic – Some numbing creams don’t require covering the treatment areas with plastic wrap but doing so helps activate the cream quickly and speed up the numbing process.
• Step 5: Get Rid of the Plastic Wrap – After about 30 to 40 minutes, patients may remove the plastic wrap in the area as long as it’s fully numb. 

Other Alternatives to Numbing Creams

Sometimes, a numbing cream isn’t the best anesthetic option for a patient because of their allergies or sensitive skin. In such cases, the provider might offer other numbing alternatives available in their clinic, such as:

• Ice Packs or Cold Compress – Ice cubes and cold compress imitate the effects of the numbing cream, but they should be applied to the treatment areas for several minutes before the laser treatment. The numbing effects of ice packs lasts shorter than numbing creams.
• Dynamic Cooling Devices – Another effective numbing tool used for laser hair removal treatments are dynamic cooling devices. They send bursts of cryogen to numb the treatment areas. Dynamic cooling devices are continuously used to make the procedure more comfortable for the patient.

Safe and Painless Brazilian Laser Hair Removal at the Rejuvenation Center for Mind and Body 

At the Rejuvenation Center for Mind and Body, we want our patients to feel more confident about their appearance without sacrificing comfort and ease. We offer a one-of-a-kind laser hair removal experience for patients who want to ditch razors, tweezers, and wax and still achieve a bump-free and hairless bikini area.

Our dedicated staff at the Rejuvenation Center for Mind and Body ensures that all of our clients experience a safe and pain-free laser hair removal treatment. Don’t hesitate to ask us about the treatment or tell us your requests. Call us at (973) 298 – 5924 now to find the right laser hair removal treatment for you and book an appointment with us.

Smoother Beauty Awaits

Say goodbye to unwanted facial and body hair and all the shaving and waxing that comes with it. Book your laser hair removal sessions today.

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