It is typically recommended that patients arrive at their laser hair removal appointment with the unwanted hair having been trimmed or shaved within the previous 24 hours to remove the hair that is present above the surface of the skin to prevent potential damage to the skin. Once the patient has gotten into a comfortable position and is wearing protective eyewear, the laser hair removal provider will use a handheld device that activates a beam of light energy onto the targeted area, allowing for the laser to target the hair follicles. The procedure itself will commonly cause minor discomfort when the light beam is activated, often feeling similar to a warm pinprick, but is incredibly quick, making any discomfort brief. Many laser hair removal providers will also offer for patients to have a numbing cream applied to the areas that will be treated before the procedure starts to minimize discomfort as much as possible. Smaller treatment areas such as the upper lip will only take a few minutes, whereas larger areas of the body such as the legs will likely take closer to an hour. Following the appointment, mild redness and swelling can be expected for several hours, and any discomfort can be sufficiently minimized through the application of a cold compress.