Shave Before IPL/SHR: Here's Why? (2024)

Shave Before IPL/SHR: Here's Why? (1)

Are you considering IPL or SHR hair removal treatment? If so, you may be asking yourself the all-important question: do I need to shave before my appointment? The answer is an emphatic yes! Shaving prior to your IPL/SHR session will ensure that you experience superior results. So don't forget - give yourself a good shave beforehand for incredibly smooth and effective outcomes from your ipl hair removal treatment.

In this article, we'll explore why shaving is necessary and the benefits it offers.

What is IPL/SHR Hair Removal?

Before we shed light on the significance of shaving prior to IPL/SHR hair removal, let's get a clear comprehension about what it is. IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light and SHR means Salon Intense Pulsed Light - both methods use luminous energy targeting follicles which eventually results in permanent decrease in growth of hairs.

During an IPL/SHR treatment, the light energy heats the hair follicle, damaging it and inhibiting further hair growth. It is a safe and effective way to remove unwanted hair from various body parts, including the face, arms, legs, and even pubic hair.

How Does Shaving Affect IPL/SHR Hair Removal?

Now, let's discuss why it is important to shave prior to your IPL/SHR treatment. Shaving has a major impact on the power of IPL/SHR hair removal treatments and can make all the difference in achieving lasting results. Firstly, shaving helps ensure that light energy from the device reaches deep into each individual follicle for optimum efficiency - without it, if hairs are too long there may be inadequate penetration down to their roots leading to an ineffective session.

Second, shaving removes dead skin cells and any surface-level hair, allowing the light energy to target the hair follicle directly under dark skin. This ensures that the light energy is concentrated on the hair follicle, leading to a more effective and permanent hair reduction.

Benefits of Shaving Before IPL/SHR Hair Removal

Shaving before your IPL/SHR hair removal treatment offers several benefits, including:

Ensuring an effective treatment:

As mentioned earlier, shaving allows the light energy to reach the hair follicle, resulting in a more effective and permanent hair reduction.

Preventing razor burn and ingrown hairs:

Shaving before IPL/SHR hair removal ensures a smooth shave, reducing the risk of razor burn and ingrown hairs. These conditions can be painful and unsightly, so it's essential to take precautions to prevent them.

Even treatment of pubic hair:

If you're getting IPL/SHR hair removal on your pubic hair, shaving ensures an even treatment. It allows the light energy to reach all hair follicles in same area, resulting in a uniform hair reduction.

Risks of Not Shaving Before IPL/SHR Hair Removal

If you don't shave before your IPL/SHR hair removal treatment, you may face several risks, such as:

Ineffective treatment:

As mentioned earlier, if the hair is too long, the light energy may not penetrate the hair follicle, resulting in an ineffective treatment.

Uneven treatment:

If you're not shaving before IPL/SHR hair removal, the light energy may not reach all hair follicles, resulting in an uneven hair reduction.

Increased risk of razor burn and ingrown hairs:

If you're not shaving before IPL/SHR hair removal, you may experience razor burn and ingrown hairs. These conditions can be painful and unsightly, affecting your hair and skin it's health and appearance.

How to Properly Shave Before IPL/SHR Hair Removal

To ensure the best results from your IPL/SHR hair removal treatment, it's essential to shave properly before the procedure. Here are some tips to help you achieve a smooth shave:

Choose the right shaving cream:

Use a shaving cream that suits your skin type. This will reduce the risk of razor burn and ingrown hairs.

Exfoliate your skin:

Before shaving, exfoliate your skin to remove any dead skin cells. This will help achieve a smooth shave and prevent ingrown hairs.

Use a sharp razor:

A sharp razor ensures a smooth shave and reduces the risk of nicks and cuts.

Shave against the grain:

Shave against the direction of hair growth for a closer shave.

Rinse your skin:

After shaving, rinse your skin with cold water to close the pores and reduce the risk of irritation.

Other Preparations for IPL/SHR Hair Removal

Besides shaving, there are other preparations you can make before your IPL/SHR hair removal treatment, including:

Avoiding sun exposure:

Avoid sun exposure for at least two weeks before your IPL/SHR treatment. Sunburnt skin is sensitive and may be more prone to side effects.

Avoiding other hair removal methods:

Avoid other hair removal methods, such as waxing or tweezing, for at least four weeks before your IPL/SHR treatment. These methods can remove the hair follicle, making IPL/SHR hair removal ineffective.

Informing your technician of any medications or medical conditions:

If you're taking any medications or have any medical conditions, inform your technician before the procedure.

Avoiding IPL/SHR hair removal on darker skin tones:

IPL/SHR hair removal may not be effective on darker skin tones. If you have darker skin, speak to your technician to determine if IPL/SHR hair removal is suitable for you.

In conclusion, shaving before IPL/SHR hair removal is essential for the best results. It ensures an effective treatment, prevents razor blade burn and ingrown hairs, and allows for even treatment of pubic hair. Remember to follow the proper shaving techniques and other preparations for the best possible outcome.

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Shave Before IPL/SHR: Here's Why? (2024)

FAQs

Shave Before IPL/SHR: Here's Why? ›

In conclusion, shaving before IPL/SHR hair removal is essential for the best results. It ensures an effective treatment, prevents razor blade burn and ingrown hairs, and allows for even treatment of pubic hair.

What happens if you don't shave properly before IPL? ›

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.

What if I don't want to shave before laser hair removal? ›

Unshaved hair attracts laser energy above the skin as well as targeting the hair follicle beneath the skin surface. We need to essentially avoid the laser reaching the area of skin above the follicle, as this can lead to painful and uncomfortable skin irritation and skin burns.

Can I shave 2 hours before laser hair removal? ›

2. 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.

Can I use my IPL straight after shaving? ›

My favourite thing – you can shave between IPL sessions!

Not just can, in fact, you must. The best thing to do is shave the day before you get zapping, or the morning of, so that you're silky smooth ahead of the session.

What happens if you use IPL on stubble? ›

If you don't shave before your laser hair removal session, the light energy may not penetrate the hair follicle, resulting in an ineffective treatment. In addition, if the hair is too long there is a risk of uneven coverage which can cause patchy results.

Is a little stubble ok for laser hair removal? ›

Shave Before Treatment

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.

What can I use instead of shaving before laser? ›

Yes, you do and shaving is the only hair removal method to be used before your treatment. Do NOT wax, tweeze, or use a depilatory cream. This is very important. One last thing to be clear on as well is that you should shave the same day as your appointment is scheduled.

What happens if you cut yourself shaving before laser? ›

Cuts and Abrasions

There is no room for debate here – if you have a cut, abrasion, or any other kind of open wound, we cannot laser the injured area. If it's just a small cut or scrape in a larger area, we can simply use the laser around the cut.

Can you get laser if you haven't shaved? ›

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.

What happens if you shave the same day as laser? ›

In the hours that pass a new layer will develop causing your skin to be less sensitive. If we perform a treatment on freshly shaven skin i.e. skin that has been shaved on the day of treatment, we run the risk of causing damage to your skin with our lasers.

What happens if you shave too early after laser? ›

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.

What happens if I use IPL without shaving? ›

Shaving before your IPL hair removal treatment helps the light beam to focus in on the hair root. When using IPL, you'll need to shave less and less as your treatments go on. As the hair follicles will be empty, you'll notice fewer ingrown hairs and less stubble 'shadow'.

Can I use IPL on pubic hair? ›

First things first, let's answer a pressing question: can you use IPL on the bikini area safely? Yes, you can! That is, as long as you have a device, like the Philips Lumea IPL 9000 Series, that has a specific attachment designed to work with the contours of this area of your body.

Can you do IPL on razor bumps? ›

Ingrown Hairs: Laser and IPL treatments can help prevent ingrown hairs by reducing the density and thickness of hair in treated areas. Razor Bumps (Pseudofolliculitis Barbae): These treatments can alleviate the irritation and inflammation associated with razor bumps, commonly experienced by individuals with curly hair.

Can you use an IPL device without shaving? ›

Shaving before your IPL hair removal treatment helps the light beam to focus in on the hair root. When using IPL, you'll need to shave less and less as your treatments go on. As the hair follicles will be empty, you'll notice fewer ingrown hairs and less stubble 'shadow'.

Can I use IPL on razor bumps? ›

Ingrown Hairs: Laser and IPL treatments can help prevent ingrown hairs by reducing the density and thickness of hair in treated areas. Razor Bumps (Pseudofolliculitis Barbae): These treatments can alleviate the irritation and inflammation associated with razor bumps, commonly experienced by individuals with curly hair.

Does laser hair removal work if you haven't shaved? ›

Lasers heat hair to damage the stem cells in the hair follicles to inhibit new growth, but if the hair is too long, the laser can singe your hair and burn your skin. It is extremely important to shave before your laser hair removal session, twenty-four hours before it is recommended.

How short does hair have to be for an IPL? ›

Hairs should be 1 to 2mm long when the patient comes in for treatment so it is possible to mark out the treatment area.

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