Is It Ok To Shave Before Laser Hair Removal< You've been fantasizing about hairless, silky skin for a long time now. You've heard about laser hair removal and are eager to get started, but how should you be ready for your first session? Shaving is often required before visiting a medical facility. Remove any stubble or short hairs from your skin that could get in the way of the laser beam or cause discomfort before your procedure. But, it's not a must.
Some medical facilities even go so far as to advise against shaving in the hours leading up to a consultation, claiming that doing so may result in more discomfort than it prevents. If your hair is particularly coarse or thick, your doctor may be able to find an alternative method to shave that won’t be as damaging to your skin, such as utilizing an IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) machine instead of a laser.
It is important to shave before your laser hair removal appointment, 24 hours before is recommended. Shaving on the day of your session can be dangerous and should be avoided completely. This is because when you shave the razor may lift a layer of skin off as it passes over your skin .Read on to learn more on do you have to shave before laser hair removal at home and can i shave 4 hours before laser.
Is It Ok To Shave Before Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal is one of the most effective ways of getting rid of unwanted body hair as it kills hair at the follicle, preventing the hair growing back in the future.
This means that you don’t have to carry on shaving, waxing, or threading your body hair for the long term, and it removes the risk of irritation by ingrown hairs on the laser treatment area.
However, laser hair removal treatment is a cosmetic procedure and therefore requires more planning and care than any of the above hair removal methods do. Making sure you are prepared for your appointment in advance is important to ensure you receive a safe and effective treatment.
How should I prepare for my appointment?
First things first, you should attend a consultation with one of our fully trained and experienced team members to discuss whether laser hair removal is the best option for your goals/budget. They’ll discuss laser hair removal cost, answer any questions you have and talk you through the process.
If you wish to proceed with the procedure, then we will carry out an initial patch test. This is to identify the most effective laser hair removal method for your hair and skin tone in each treatment area. It also allows you to see if you will have any reactions or side effects to the treatment without undergoing the full procedure.
The consultation and patch test are free of charge at The Beauty Barn, so don’t hesitate to get in touch if you are considering laser hair removal in Liverpool.
When we see the patch test results come back clear, then it’s time for you to prepare for your first session!
How long before my laser hair removal appointment should I shave?
One of the most important things you can do to get ready for your appointment is shave the treatment area no less than 24 hours before your appointment date.
Shaving before laser hair removal is important because the hair needs to be the right length for the laser to treat it effectively. The follicle must also be intact and plucking or waxing can often damage the follicle and leaving a poor environment for the laser to treat.
The skin must also be clean, dry, and free of skincare products like oils and moisturisers. We recommend exfoliating to ensure the area is clean, especially after four or five days from your appointments to rid the area of treated hair.
One thing you must make sure to avoid is sun exposure. There are a few reasons behind this, tanning your skin increases the melanin levels in your skin which can affect how the skin reacts to the laser.
As well as this, exposure to sunlight can cause inflammation in the skin which means no more heat can be applied until the inflammation has faded. Sun burns are even worse and mean you will have to wait for the area to completely heal before treatment.
This also applies to fake tan on top of natural sun exposure, so be sure to keep your skin clear of any self-tanning products and the residue that they can leave behind before your appointments.
Why is it bad to shave right before laser hair removal?
There are a few reasons why shaving immediately before your laser hair removal appointment is a bad idea.
First, the way that laser hair removal works is by heating the hair to cause damage to the hair follicle, destroying the cell at the stem and preventing hair growth in the treatment area in the future.
Therefore, if you shave less than 24 hours before your scheduled appointment then there won’t be enough hair present to burn, and this can cause irritation to the treatment area.
How to shave before laser hair removal
When shaving, if you press down hard enough with the razor blade then small layers of skin will be stripped away. If you’re shaving right before your laser hair removal session, be gentle. We recommend using a safety razor to minimise the grazing of the skin.
If this skin doesn’t have enough time to heal then it can be sensitive during the procedure which will result in irritation.
Shaving 24 Hours Before Laser Hair Removal
The act of shaving removes oils from the skins surface and leaves it dry. Dry skin during laser hair treatment can lead to itchy, irritated skin. This is another reason why you should leave 24 hours between shaving and your appointment, and you should also take care to use shaving cream or shaving gel to keep the skin on the treatment area moisturised.
Conversely though, if you shave more than 24 hours before your appointment and the hair is too long then the hair can be burnt, singing your skin in the process. It can also make it tricky for the laser to precisely target the hair follicles if the hair is too long.
Because it will require multiple appointments to completely eradicate unwanted hair, and to give you an idea of the time between laser hair removal sessions we suggest 4-8 weeks. it is also recommended to shave 24 hours before each of your appointments, not just the first one.
You will find the hair that regrows between appointments will be finer and sparser compared to before treatment. This is great news, but you should still keep shaving 24 hours before your appointments for the best treatment success.
Wax or Shave before Laser Hair Removal?
Because there needs to be hair present for the laser to target, we do not recommend waxing, epilating, or any other hair removal method other than shaving in the lead up to your appointment.
Each of these hair removal methods gets rid of hair at the root, leaving nothing to be destroyed by the laser.
By shaving 24 hours before your appointment, you promote just enough hair growth for laser hair removal to work while reducing the chance that the hair will have grown back too much to pose a risk of irritation.
Speak with our laser hair removal professionals for free
If you think laser hair treatment may be the hair removal method for you but you still have some questions about the procedure, then please get in touch through the form below and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Do You Have To Shave Before Laser Hair Removal At Home
When you’re getting ready for your laser hair removal procedure, make sure you shave the night before or the morning of your treatment. The reason for this precaution is simple – you want to remove as much hair as possible so that it doesn’t absorb most of the laser’s energy.
Most at-home brands recommend shaving before your sessions. And shaving gives the best results. But what if it leaves you with angry-red red shaving rash, lumps and bumps, or itchy irritation? And, being a lady, it feels uncomfortably masculine to shave your face.
So, are there other options? Let’s find out.
Why is shaving best?
Most people turn to home laser or IPL because they want to stop shaving. So, it’s a tad frustrating you can’t avoid it during your first sessions. But it really is worth the short-term pain for the long-term results.
Gillette razor, dermaplaning tool and tweezers beside the latest home IPL machines. Is shaving before IPL your only options?
Shaving & dermaplaning your face before your IPL and laser sessions works best.
This is why is works best:
Shaving cuts your hairs super-close to your skin. Therefore, there’s no hair on the surface to absorb the pulses or flashes of light energy. It’s all directed down the hair shaft, deep inside your follicle where it needs to be. There, it converts to heat and damages key areas of the follicle, which stunts your hair growth and keeps it in a dormant state. So, you enjoy smooth skin everyday!
So don’t be tempted to leave your hair there. Oh no.
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TIP: You can also shave as much as you need in between IPL/laser sessions if you need to!
What happens if you laser or IPL without shaving?
Nothing good is the short answer. And in more detail:
So, that’s why you really must remove those surface hairs before laser and IPL zappings. It means the IPL flashes and laser pulses can do their thang.
But do I have to shave my face?
So, shaving your body hair gives your very best results. But shaving your face is so masculine!
Do you want to shave your face before home IPL? – er, no thanks. I’d prefer to IPL without shaving my face thanks!
I don’t think so.
I know. In the past, I’ve shaved my face several times before zapping my unwelcome chinny hairs. And it’s not something I like to remember or repeat. But thankfully, there is another painless and effective option.
Instead of shaving your face I recommend dermaplaning.
A Hollywood Browzer dermaplaning tool in front of the best home laser & IPL devices for facial hair removal
I recommend dermaplaning tools to remove facial hairs & whiskers
A dermaplaning tool is a teeny hand-held foldable plastic knife with a sharp stainless-steel blade behind safety guards. It’s a very quick and irritation-free way to remove unwanted hair on your face. It also exfoliates your skin removing the outer dry layer. So, it feels touchably smooth and is extra absorbent for your skincare products. Whoop!
close up of the Hollywood Browzer sharp blade behind safety bars for no nicks or cuts
Sharp stainless-steel blade behind safety bars – no nicks or cuts!
How to use a dermaplaning tool
Wash & dry your skin
Hold the blade at 45 degrees against your skin.
Gently stroke your skin in short downward motions to remove hair, peach-fuzz, and dead skin cells.
It’s easy to stroke away peach-fuzz. You’ll even see the tiny hairs piling-up on your skin and the blade after each stroke. Simply wipe them away. On thicker hairs it drags a little but doesn’t scrape or hurt.
It’s easy to quickly remove peach-fuzz and thicker facial hairs ofrom your ladytache with a Hollywood Browzer or other dermaplaning tool
Bye-bye lady tache!
It works on your upper lip, chin, jawline, sideburns, and cheeks. No water or foam needed. And it’s excellent to tame your eyebrows for a quick shape and tidy-up. Hairs grow back at your usual rate, but they feel softer than with shaving. For me, my thick whiskers feel much less sharp and stubbly, and I’ve no irritation in using the tool the next day on the same hairs.
Each tool stays sharp for around 2 to 3 months, which is long enough to see you through your start-up treatment schedule. And there are eco-friendly biodegradeable options available too ♻️ 🍃.
The Hollywood Browzer tool comes with a small case so it’s good to pop in your bag for use on the go
Small & fits in your bag for on-the-go emergencies to remove random stray hairs!
I like dermaplaning because:
✔️ No need to lather up your face with foam.
✔️ The tool is small and easy to manoeuvre.
✔️ It’s discrete (fits in a bag)
✔️ Doesn’t feel or look like a man shaving.
✔️ It’s quick, painless and effective, without any nicks or cuts.
✔️ You can use mid-session on stray body hairs.
✔️ Hair grows back at your natural rate, but feels softer than with shaving.
You can also use the tool daily in between your zapping sessions until you don’t need to anymore.
Dermaplaning is a cheap and quick alternative to shaving your face before home IPL. I do it regularly.
Laser hair removal uses light to target the pigment in individual hairs. The light travels down the shaft of the hair and into the hair follicle.
The heat from the laser light destroys the hair follicle, and a hair can no longer grow from it.
Hair follows a unique growth cycle that involves resting, shedding, and growing periods. Recently removed hair that is in a resting phase will not be visible to the technician or laser, so a person may need to wait until it regrows before removing it.
For most people, laser hair removal requires several treatments over the course of 2 to 3 months.
Is laser hair removal permanent?
Hair removal from a destroyed hair follicle is permanent. However, people who undergo hair removal can expect that some hair in the targeted area will grow back.
Over time, it is possible to treat the area again to reduce the number of hairs that regrow. In some cases, it may even be possible to eliminate all hair.
Whether or not hair grows back depends on numerous factors, including the type of hair that regrows and the skill of the person removing the hair.
Most people find that when hair regrows, it is lighter and less noticeable than it was before. This is because the laser may damage the hair follicle even when it fails to destroy it.
If a hair follicle is damaged but not destroyed, the hair will eventually regrow. It can be difficult to destroy every single hair follicle, so most people will see some hair regrowth.
When hair regrows, it is possible to treat it again, so people who want to remove all the hair may need several treatments.
In some cases, hair may be too light, too short, or resistant to treatment. In these cases, a person might choose to use other hair removal methods, such as plucking stray hairs.
How long does laser hair removal last?
Laser hair removal is permanent when the hair follicle is destroyed. When the hair follicle is only damaged, the hair will eventually regrow.
The amount of time it takes for the hair to regrow depends on the person’s unique hair growth cycle. Some people have hair that grows more quickly than others. Hair that is in a resting phase will grow back more slowly than hair that is in another phase.
Most people can expect some hair regrowth within a few months. Once this happens, they can opt for more removal treatments.
Can I Shave 4 Hours Before Laser
Have you been considering undergoing laser hair removal to get that silky-smooth skin you’ve always wanted?* Want to put an end to that embarrassing body hair that makes you reluctant to remove your shirt when you’re at the beach?*
Then it’s time to schedule your laser hair removal procedure at Illuminate Plastic Surgery in Palo Alto, CA.
One of the benefits of laser hair removal is that it greatly reduces your time between shaves; for some patients, laser hair removal completely removes the hair follicle.*
Patients often ask the following question to best prepare for their laser hair removal treatments.
“When Should I Stop Shaving?”
When you’re getting ready for your laser hair removal procedure, make sure you shave the night before or the morning of your treatment. The reason for this precaution is simple – you want to remove as much hair as possible so that it doesn’t absorb most of the laser’s energy.
When shaving, try to get as much of the hair follicle as possible. If you were unable to shave your hair or couldn’t remove enough, your laser hair removal technician can remove the rest of it before your treatment.
Make sure you don’t shave immediately before your laser hair removal treatment, as this increases the odds for inflammation and swelling.
Hair removal works best on people with light complexions who have dark hair. This is because the pigment contrast makes it easier for the laser to target the hair, travel into the follicle, and destroy the follicle.
People with dark skin or light hair may need more treatments than others and may find that more hair grows back.
To permanently remove hair, the technician must know how to target the hair and choose the right type of laser. Research published in 2013Trusted Source found that lasers that produce longer wavelengths work best on dark skin.
Side effects and risks
During treatment, some people experience burning, stinging, or discomfort. For this reason, many technicians apply a numbing cream to the area they are treating. However, some people may have an allergic reaction or skin irritation in response to the numbing cream.
Minor side effects are common, and may include:
- changes in the color of the skin, particularly in people with dark skin, which are usually temporary
- skin redness
- blistering or crusting of the skin
Sometimes, irritation related to hair removal can cause scarring. Damaged skin can also become infected. Though rare, skin infections can spread and become life-threatening.
Providing a detailed medical history and discussing risks and benefits can help the provider determine the right treatment, reducing the risk of serious side effects.
Following hair removal, a person should avoid sun exposure. The sun can irritate the skin, which increases the risk of blisters and scars.
People who experience intense pain, a fever, crusting, blisters, or other signs of skin damage or infection should seek medical attention.
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Cost of laser hair removal
According to 2017 statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of a hair removal session is $293.
Most people require multiple sessions, so people should talk to their treatment provider about how many sessions they will need to work out the overall cost.
Because laser hair removal is almost always a cosmetic procedure, insurance is unlikely to cover it.
The total cost of laser hair removal depends on several factors, including who performs the treatment. Skilled providers such as dermatologists and plastic surgeons may charge more but are less likely to cause injury or side effects.
Other factors affecting the cost include:
- the number of treatments required
- how much hair regrows
- the number of hairs targeted
- the size of the area requiring treatment
Removing a small amount of hair from a region such as the upper lip will cost less than removing hair from the entire leg.
Outlook
Laser hair removal can significantly reduce the amount of body hair a person has. In most people, some hair will regrow over time.
Even when hair does regrow, there will be less overall hair, producing a smoother appearance. To get a realistic understanding of what to expect from laser hair removal, discuss treatment goals with a doctor or hair removal specialist.
Some skin complexions and hair types produce better results than others. The only way to know for sure what to expect is to talk to a doctor, a dermatologist, or another skilled practitioner.
Side effects of laser hair removal on bikini area
The hours spent shaving (and dreading having to shave)…
You’re excited that laser hair removal will remove more than just your hair. It’ll also remove insecurities with your appearance. It’ll remove hours of shaving. It’ll remove expensive razors and shaving equipment.
But, you’re worried about the side effects.
You’ve read some crazy claims that laser hair removal can increase risks of cancer, infertility, and more.
What’s true and what isn’t? This article will dive into the science of your laser hair removal procedure to let you know if it’s safe.
COMMON SIDE EFFECTS AND CONCERNS
You’re pumped about permanent hair removal, but you want to make sure that it’s safe.
There are many different hair removal methods, but the most common used today is called “laser genesis” – this is what the medical spas and hair removal clinics use. This process targets hair follicles and actually destroys them.
And there are 3 main side effect concerns that people have: 1) cancer, 2) infertility, and 3) pimples.
This section will share scientific evidence about the 3 common side effect concerns.
CANCER
But, are these headlines actually something to worry about? Can laser hair removal actually increase your risk of getting cancer?
Here’s what Heathline has to say about it:
“It’s a myth that laser hair removal can cause cancer. In fact, according to the Skin Care Foundation, the procedure is sometimes used to treat certain forms of precancerous lesions.”
So, why has there been such a buzz about laser hair removal and cancer?
The lasers used to treat unwanted hair do emit some radiation. And people often associate radiation with cancer.
But, recent data has shown that the radiation that is emitted during a laser hair removal treatment is minimal – much lower than what an average cell phone emits.
INFERTILITY
The second most common side effect that women worry about is if laser hair removal can increase risks of infertility.
Women usually ask this question during bikini line treatments. They’re worried that the lasers can go deeper than just the treated area (the hair around the bikini line) and interfere with their ovaries.
Elizabeth Hale, a professor at NYU School of Medicine, commented on this topic. She says:
“The lasers we use penetrate less than one millimeter into the skin, so there’s no way they could reach your ovaries. But even if they did—which they never, ever could—they wouldn’t do anything, anyway. They work on pigment and have no bearing on fertility.”
Therefore, there’s nothing to worry about.
PIMPLES
Younger people who decide to get laser hair removal worry about it causing acne.
Will getting laser hair removal increase your likelihood of getting pimples?
There hasn’t been any official scientific research into this, but experts in the field have discussed it.
One expert shares how laser hair removal might actually DECREASE your risk for getting pimples. They claim that:
“Laser hair removal does not pull the hair from the skin, but rather is less invasive and uses light to target the hair follicle, to prevent further growth and eventually have the hair fall out. As a result, laser hair removal may result in a decrease in breakouts.”
This is not something that you should worry about. Laser hair removal has not been clinically shown to increase acne.
ARE THERE ANY LONG TERM SIDE EFFECTS OF LASER HAIR REMOVAL?
Mayo Clinic, a highly respected medical institution, states that there are no known long-term side effects of laser hair removal.
In order to become legalized, laser hair removal had to be intensely studied in order to determine its long-term safety to our health.
But, there are known short-term, temporary side effects. Here are a few of those side effects:
REDNESS AND SWELLING
To effectively remove your unwanted hair, the laser has to target your hair follicles. During this process, the goal of the laser is to actually severely damage those hair follicles so that they’re not able to continue growing hair.