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My Laser Hair Removal Diary: Pain Levels, TKTX Cream & What No One Tells You

Jul 2, 2025

Why I Tried Laser Hair Removal (And Almost Quit After Session 1)"

The Backstory

After years of waxing my bikini line (and sobbing into a stress ball each time), I caved and booked laser hair removal. The clinic’s brochure promised "mild discomfort." Spoiler: They lied.

Session 1: The Wake-Up Call

Pre-Game:

No numbing cream (Their advice: "You don’t need it!")
Me: "How bad can it be?"

Reality:

First zap: Like a red-hot needle stabbing each follicle.
Underarms: 6/10 pain (Bearable but sharp)
Bikini area: 9/10 (I yelped. The tech handed me a teddy bear. A teddy bear.)
Smell: Burnt popcorn (aka vaporized hair).

Aftermath:

Red, angry bumps for 48 hours.
My Google search: "Is laser hair removal supposed to feel like Satan’s tattoo gun?"

How to Remove Hair Without the Pain– same "why didn’t I numb?!" regret.)

Session 2: Enter TKTX

Prep Changes:

Applied TKTX numbing cream (thick layer) 90 mins before.
Covered with cling film (per their guide).

Pain Difference:

First 10 minutes: Glorious numbness. "I’m a genius!"
Minute 15: Faint zaps returned (but 50% less intense).
Bikini area: Now a 5/10 – still spicy, but no teddy bear required.

Trade-Off:

Extra 30 mins at the clinic (waiting for cream to work).
Wiping off residue was messy (sticky gauze situation).

Sessions 3-8: The Numbing Cream Hack

Pro Tips Learned:

Timing is everything:
- Apply TKTX 90 mins before (60 mins wasn’t enough for dense hair).
Skip caffeine: Made me twitchy = felt zaps more.
Shave night before: Reduces post-laser irritation (learned after looking like a plucked chicken post-session 3).

(Note: Pain tolerance varies! My friend slept through her sessions. I hate her.)

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