Endolaser can be uncomfortable. It should not be described as painless. Local anaesthetic is used to numb the treatment area, and most patients tolerate the procedure well, but the level of discomfort varies with the area treated, individual sensitivity, technique and how pain is managed clinically.
The evidence reflects that variation. In a 2026 preliminary facial Endolaser study of eight patients, procedural pain was rated moderate to severe on a five-point scale. That study used a 1444 nm platform, which is a different device and protocol from the one we use – a point that matters, because pain findings do not transfer cleanly between protocols.
At Deep Aesthetics, treatment is performed under local anaesthetic across our London Stratford and Birmingham clinics, and the expected sensations are discussed in full before you consent.
What Does Endolaser Feel Like During Treatment?
Endolaser works beneath the skin rather than on its surface, so the sensations are different from a surface laser or a radiofrequency device.
Before the laser is used, local anaesthetic is injected into the treatment area. The injection itself is the sharpest part of the appointment for most people. Once the area is numb, the fine optical fibre is introduced through tiny entry points and the laser energy is delivered.
During that phase, patients commonly describe:
- Pressure or movement beneath the skin as the fibre passes through the tissue plane
- Warmth or heat in the treated area
- Occasional sharper sensations, particularly near the edges of the anaesthetised zone or in areas with denser nerve supply
- General tenderness in more sensitive regions such as the submental area or the neck
A face or neck appointment runs approximately 45 to 90 minutes in total, including consultation, anaesthetic and treatment.
Is Anaesthetic Used for Endolaser?
Yes. At Deep Aesthetics, Endolaser is performed under local anaesthetic, which is injected into the treatment area before the fibre is introduced. General anaesthesia is not used, and you stay awake throughout.
That said, local anaesthetic reduces pain – it does not guarantee that you will feel nothing at all. Pressure, movement and warmth can still be perceived even when the area is fully numb, because anaesthetic blocks pain signals more reliably than it blocks sensations of pressure.
Protocols also differ between clinics. Some use topical numbing cream only, some use tumescent infiltration, some add oral sedation. At Deep Aesthetics, local anaesthetic is included in the treatment cost – you can see the full breakdown in our Endolaser price guide.
What Does the Research Say About Endolaser Pain?
Research measuring Endolaser pain specifically is limited, and that limitation should be stated plainly rather than glossed over.
A 2025 scoping review in Lasers in Medical Science mapped the entire published literature on aesthetic Endolaser and found only 26 publications: one randomised controlled trial, 23 case series, one case study and one pilot study. The authors reported considerable variability between treatment protocols and called for standardisation.
That variability is the single most important thing to understand about Endolaser pain reports. Studies differ in wavelength (980 nm, 1444 nm, 1470 nm), fibre diameter, power settings, anatomical area and anaesthetic approach.
The 2026 facial study mentioned above is the clearest direct pain data currently available, and it is a small sample – eight patients, one protocol, a 1444 nm Nd:YAG device with a 600-micron fibre. It reported moderate-to-severe procedural pain. Other published work on related laser-assisted procedures using different wavelengths and anaesthetic approaches has reported considerably lower discomfort.
Does the Treatment Area Affect Endolaser Discomfort?
It can. Different areas of the face and body have different tissue structures, nerve distributions and levels of sensitivity.
Other factors also matter, including:
- the individual’s pain threshold
- tissue sensitivity
- the size of the area
- previous procedures
- technique
- how discomfort is managed clinically
Therefore, your own experience cannot be predicted simply from another patient’s account online.
Why Does Endolaser Pain Vary So Much Between People?
Pain is subjective. Two people treated in the same area by the same practitioner can describe the experience very differently. Several factors interact:
Individual pain sensitivity. Pain thresholds vary naturally between people, and this is the largest single source of variation.
Treatment area. Nerve density and tissue characteristics differ across the face, neck and body.
Technique. The clinical approach, the depth worked at and the pace of the procedure all affect what is felt.
Anxiety and previous experience. Someone who is highly anxious about needles or procedures often perceives the same stimulus as more intense. Patients familiar with injectable treatments frequently report an easier experience.
Pain management. How the anaesthetic is planned, placed and topped up during treatment makes a material difference.
Because these factors interact, no clinic can responsibly guarantee a specific pain score in advance. What a clinic can do is explain the plan, check in during treatment and adjust.
What Might You Feel After Endolaser?
Tenderness in the treated area is normal for the first few days, particularly when the area is touched or moved. Some altered sensitivity is also common as the tissue settles.
For the wider post-treatment picture – swelling typically peaks at 48 to 72 hours and settles over 7 to 14 days, bruising usually resolves within 7 to 10 days, and numbness or tingling can persist for several weeks as nerves recover – see the recovery and aftercare section on our Endolaser treatment.
Follow the aftercare instructions given for your specific procedure rather than a fixed timeline found online. Your practitioner has planned around your anatomy, the area treated and the energy delivered.
When Should You Report Pain to the Clinic?
Expected tenderness and worsening pain are not the same thing, and the difference matters.
Contact the treating clinic promptly if you experience:
- Pain that becomes increasingly intense rather than gradually settling
- Marked or spreading redness
- Increasing heat in the area
- Unexpected changes in skin colour
- Discharge from a treatment entry point
- Feeling systemically unwell, including fever
None of these automatically means a serious complication has occurred. They mean the area needs to be assessed rather than reassured over the phone.
Complications are uncommon, but the escalation pathway should be clear before you consent. For a fuller discussion of what Endolaser can and cannot do and the recognised risks, see our guide on what Endolaser is and how it works.
Should Pain Affect Your Decision?
Pain is one factor among several, and usually not the deciding one.
Before proceeding, you should understand:
- What the treatment is intended to address in your case
- What sensations you are likely to experience
- How discomfort will be managed, and what happens if it is not enough
- Realistic potential benefits, and the limits of the current evidence
- Recognised risks
- Alternatives – including less invasive options such as HIFU or Morpheus 8, which involve no fibre insertion, or a surgical assessment if laxity is significant
- Aftercare requirements and downtime
- What to do if you suspect a complication
The purpose of informed consent is not to persuade you that treatment will be comfortable. It is to give you enough information to judge whether the expected experience, likely outcome and recognised risks are acceptable to you.
Endolaser Treatment at Deep Aesthetics
Deep Aesthetics offers Endolaser consultations in Stratford, London and Birmingham.
Patients considering Stratford clinic in London can attend: Deep Aesthetics, Mirror Works, 12 Marshgate Lane, Stratford, London, E15 2NH
The Deep Aesthetics Birmingham clinic is located at: 25 King Edwards Wharf, Sheepcote Street Birmingham, B16 8AB
During consultation, patients can discuss the treatment area, likely sensations, individual concerns and the pain-management approach before deciding whether Endolaser is appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Endolaser hurt?
Endolaser can cause discomfort. Pain varies between individuals and treatment protocols, so it should not be described as painless. A recent small facial Endolaser study reported moderate-to-severe procedural pain.
Does Endolaser hurt more on the face or body?
There is not enough reliable evidence to say that one area is always more painful. Sensitivity, anatomy, treatment area and technique can all influence discomfort.
Is anaesthetic used during Endolaser?
Anaesthetic is used in some published laser-assisted treatment protocols, but approaches vary. Your clinic should explain the specific protocol planned for your treatment rather than assuming it will match another clinic or study.
Is soreness normal after Endolaser?
Some temporary tenderness or sensitivity may occur following treatment. However, worsening or severe pain should be reported to the treating clinic for assessment.
Can I take painkillers after Endolaser?
Follow the medication and aftercare advice provided by your treating practitioner. Medicines that are suitable for one person may not be appropriate for another because of medical conditions, allergies or other medication.
Conclusion: Is Endolaser Painful?
Endolaser can be uncomfortable, and individual experiences vary. It should not be described as universally painless or pain-free.
The best direct evidence currently available includes a small 2026 facial Endolaser study in which eight participants reported procedural pain in the moderate-to-severe range. Older research involving related laser-assisted procedures has reported lower discomfort, demonstrating how much experience can vary between protocols.
Therefore, patients should ask what they are likely to feel, how discomfort will be managed and what symptoms should prompt clinical review before consenting to treatment.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and does not constitute medical advice. Endolaser suitability, discomfort, risks and recovery vary between individuals and treatment areas. An individual assessment with an appropriately trained and experienced practitioner is required before treatment.
