(This post was updated on 02/17/2023)
SHOULD YOU SHAVE BEFORE LASER HAIR REMOVAL?
If you’ve chosen laser hair removal over traditional shaving, you are likely annoyed with the inconvenience and unsatisfactory results of a regular razor or waxing. We get it.
But shaving before a laser hair removal procedure is essential to ensure your health and safety. Read below to discover why this is important before your laser hair removal appointment.
WHY SHAVE BEFORE LASER HAIR REMOVAL?
This is a very reasonable question, and the answer is pretty simple. You can remove all the hair above the surface by shaving the treatment area. Then, during your treatment, the lasers will be able to quickly and efficiently locate the hair follicles. Furthermore, shaving the area can prevent pain and skin damage during treatment. As you can see, the actual reason is that by shaving the area, you will get more bang for your buck because you will have a more efficient treatment.
WHE SHOULD I SHAVE BEFORE MY LASER HAIR REMOVAL?
Dermatologists and cosmetic doctors recommend shaving about 24 hours before your treatment. You may ask why? If you shave the same day or right before your appointment, your freshly shaved skin is too fragile and could be damaged during the treatment and cause pain and discomfort.
Some medical facilities will not perform laser hair removal if you have not shaved, and rightfully so. It is a health and safety risk to you; therefore, they may be unwilling to continue. As a courtesy to your service provider, you should try to call and reschedule if you have not shaved before your appointment.
THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE SHAVING FOR HAIR REMOVAL
Shaving before your laser hair removal appointment differs from the standard shaving experience. First, it is recommended that you use a new or nearly new razor. You want the razor to be clean and the blades to be sharp.
However, with a sharp blade, you need to be careful not to apply too much pressure on the skin. High pressure can remove layers of skin and increase the chances of cuts and nicks.
You may want to use a gentle shaving foam the day before your session to help your skin retain moisture. Remember that on the day of your laser hair removal, you should not apply any lotions or moisturizers to the area. To make it easier to remember, check out our hair removal  Infographic.Â
After you are done shaving, you should be able to see the follicle but no hair above the surface of the skin.
WHAT IF I WAX BEFORE MY LHR APPOINTMENT?
If you typically wax, you should let your hair grow out for about 4 weeks before your laser hair removal appointment. Then, the day before your appointment, you can shave according to the guidelines above.
YOU WILL BE GLAD YOU SHAVED!
It may seem like a lot of work to go through the shaving process before your laser hair removal appointment, but ultimately it will improve the experience and the results.
To protect your skin and successfully prevent the hair follicles from regrowing hair normally, you must follow these steps and shave before laser hair removal. Watch this Video to find more answers to your laser hair removal questions.
Click here to book a complimentary laser hair removal consultation.
Read More Like This:
Why Is My Hair Still Growing After Laser Hair Removal?
What to Expect From Your Laser Hair Removal Results
How Long Can You Expect Your Waxing Results to Last?
Is Laser Hair Removal The Answer?