Shave before laser hair removal (2024)

FAQs

Shave before laser hair removal? ›

You should shave within 24 hours of your scheduled laser appointment. Your laser technician cannot treat areas that have hair above the skin. You cannot even receive treatment if there is rough stubble because this may create too much heat for the pigment of your skin.

Shave the Area

As previously mentioned, shaving the area is encouraged as long as no plucking or waxing is going on. A shave 24 to 48 hours before the appointed date is important. While the hair root is invisible, the laser can seek it out within the pigment.

If you forget to shave, the effectiveness of your treatment may diminish. The laser, instead of focusing on the follicles, might target surface hair. This can lead to heightened discomfort, potential stinging, and a risk of burns. Surface impurities like dirt and oil can also reduce efficacy.

Shave within 24 hours of your laser appointment. Your Laser Technician will not be able to go over areas with hair that's above the skin.

Dry shaving on the day may leave your skin with dryness, irritation and prolonged redness. If you cut yourself and the skin is open, bleeding or compromised your practitioner would not be able to laser over it. Which means you'll have patches of hair untreated for that session.

Using laser treatment to remove unwanted hair from damaged skin can further irritate the skin, especially if your skin is sensitive. Ultimately, this will increase the damage and prolong the healing process. Avoid treating areas with the following types of skin damage: Scrapes and cuts.

Shave gently, lightly and steadily. Also, rinse the blade after each cut to ensure it's free of hair. Going slow not only prevents cuts but also helps to prevent you from over-shaving the area. After you have shaved the top section, clean the area with a wet cloth.

Preserving the root and the pigment of the hair is imperative for the success of the laser treatment. It is important to shave the area to be treated the day or night before your appointment.

If you shave too quickly you may irritate the skin even more, so waiting at least three or four days after your treatment is usually ideal. A few days following your laser hair removal treatment, you may notice your hair shedding.

What happens if you shave too close to laser? ›

However, it's crucial to avoid shaving too closely immediately prior to the session. Shaving too closely right before your appointment can increase the sensitivity of your skin, making the treatment more uncomfortable. It can also increase the risk of skin irritation or redness.

Wait until the skin has fully healed before shaving, which can take up to two weeks. Shaving too soon can cause further irritation and damage to the skin, which can lead to scarring and hyperpigmentation.

It is not uncommon for treated hairs to start falling out in the days following the procedure. Many people worry that this means the treatment has not been effective, but this is a sign that the laser has done its job.

Firstly with the majority of lasers, you are expected to shave the area one night before the treatment. Left it a little late and your appointments in 1 hour – well there's no reason why you can't shave just before.

Moisturise: Keep your skin hydrated with a high-quality, fragrance-free moisturiser. This makes it easier for the shedding hair to push through the skin. Avoid hair removal methods: Resist the temptation to use tweezers, wax, or other hair removal methods on the treated area.

Regret usually stems from choosing the wrong provider. While laser hair removal itself is rarely regrettable, what can lead to regret is choosing the wrong provider. A cheap, inexperienced clinic may use outdated equipment or incorrect techniques, leading to less effective treatment or even unwanted side-effects.

It's recommended to shave the night before, to avoid any chance of razor burn. If you do have any razor burn, you'll want to move the appointment until it has calmed down as applying heat to an already warm area can be painful.

Many experts recommend shaving right after a hot shower, as the steam and warm water help to soften the hair and open up the pores. However, if you have sensitive skin, it's important to wait until any redness from the shower has calmed down before picking up a razor.

Shaving a day or so beforehand is an important part of the process as it encourages the hair to enter the active growing stage, which is what the laser targets. Furthermore, you must avoid waxing, plucking or bleaching in the weeks leading up to your appointment.