What happens if you can't shave before laser hair removal? | Skin Perfection (2024)

FAQs

What happens if you can't shave before laser hair removal? | Skin Perfection? ›

If the hair is too long, the laser may not be able to reach the follicle effectively. As a result the energy disperses on the top of the skin, and the treatment may be less effective. Additionally, shaving before laser hair removal reduces the risk of skin damage and burns.

Cause skin irritation: Unshaved hair can lead to post-laser redness, inflammation, and swelling. Increase burn risk: Longer hair can excessively absorb laser energy, heightening the risk of burns and blisters.

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. Shaving helps to ensure this does not happen, so make sure you shave before your treatment session.

Shave Before Treatment

You cannot even receive treatment if there is rough stubble because this may create too much heat for the pigment of your skin. If you miss any hairs while you shaved, and you do not feel comfortable with your technician shaving you, your technician will need to avoid treating those areas.

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.

At best, a dull blade will give you an uneven shave and leave you with redness, blotches, and patches of unshaven hair on your face and neck. At worst, a dull blade will remove a fair amount of your skin along with the hair!

You will need to shave the area prior to the visit. Once you are in the treatment room, your Laser Technician and Master Esthetician will explain everything to you about the laser and what to expect during the treatments.

If the hair in the treatment area is excessively long, it's beneficial to trim it beforehand. Use a pair of scissors or an electric trimmer to bring the hair to a manageable length, typically a quarter of an inch or shorter. Cleanse and exfoliate.

Patients may notice more hair 1 – 3 weeks after laser hair removal sessions as follicles in the growing cycle begin to shed. During this process, exfoliating the skin, once swelling and redness have dissipated, can help hairs shed faster, leaving skin feeling smoother.

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'.

Why does it look like I have stubble after laser? ›

When the laser targets the hair follicle, it damages the root of the hair. This damage signals to the body that the hair is no longer needed and will eventually be shed. In most cases, this occurs 1 to 3 weeks after your LHR treatment, and it sometimes looks like blackheads or stubble.

After your laser session, the growth of new hair will be less noticeable. However, even though laser treatments damage hair follicles, they're not destroyed completely. Over time, the treated follicles may recover from the initial damage and grow hair again.

Pulling out loose hair after a laser hair removal session is not recommended. It disrupts the hair growth cycle; when hairs are loose it means the hair is in its cycle of removal. If it's removed before it dies on its own, it could stimulate hair to grow again.

Timing is Key: Shave the target area between 6 hours and 48 hours before your session. This timing ensures hairs are the ideal length for laser treatment. Choose Your Method Wisely: A razor or trimmer is your best bet for pre-treatment shaving.

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.

You can take a shower after laser hair removal, but it is recommended to use cool water for the first few showers. It is best to avoid hot water, hot tubs, and saunas for at least 48 hours after the treatment. You should wait at least 6-8 hours after the session before taking a shower.

If you rush you may have nicks and cuts that we will have to avoid with the laser beam of light during your treatment. If this happens you may find that you are left with some areas that have been left untreated. Because we cannot laser over broken skin and will have to avoid these areas.

Prior to laser treatment, it is important to shave the area. Otherwise hair gets pressed to the surface of your skin. When the hair shaft is destroyed by the laser it can injure the surrounding skin. Shave a day prior to your appointment, so if you nick yourself, the area will not be bleeding during your procedure.

Shaving too far away from your appointment or too soon after it are the 2 most common reasons why laser hair removal might not be as effective.

Using safe, effective laser treatment, we can get rid of razor bumps for good while also preventing hair from growing back.