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? ›

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 do you have to shave before an IPL? ›

You need a small amount of hair visible at the surface of the skin for the IPL light to effectively destroy the follicle. Shaving the area being treated will help the laser focus beneath the skin and improve the results. If there's a lot of hair on the surface, a lot less light energy makes it deep into the follicle.

Can you use IPL if you haven't shaved? ›

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.

Why do they ask you to shave before laser hair removal? ›

By shaving the treatment area beforehand, you provide the laser technician with a clean canvas for precise targeting. This is particularly crucial for areas with varying hair lengths, ensuring that the laser can effectively reach the hair follicles without interference from longer hairs.

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.

Does IPL work on pubic hair? ›

This is possible through IPL (Intense Pulsed Light), which is a long-lasting option for those looking for permanent pubic hair removal. That way you'll always have a smooth bikini area whenever you're on the go.

Can you use a nood without shaving? ›

Yes, you should shave the entire treatment area before using your handset. The easier it is for the light from the handset to hit your hair follicle the more effective it will be. The hair follicle does need to be intact for IPL to be effective, which means no waxing, plucking, threading or epilating before treatment.

What happens if you don t shave properly before laser hair removal? ›

Reduce efficacy: Hair above the skin absorbs laser energy, diverting it from the follicles, leading to diminished results. Cause skin irritation: Unshaved hair can lead to post-laser redness, inflammation, and swelling.

What happens if I shave on the day of laser? ›

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.

How do you shave your pubes before laser? ›

Skin on your bikini area is more sensitive so you should shave gently. Shave in the direction of the hair growth first, and then you can go against the hair growth direction for a closer shave. Make sure to use special creams such as Harley Sooth (post-laser treatment balm) to eliminate the irritation.

Are you hairless after first laser? ›

You can expect a 10% to 25% reduction in hair after the first treatment. To remove the hair, most patients need 2 to 6 laser treatments. After finishing the treatments, most patients do not see any hair on the treated skin for several months or even years. When the hair regrows, there tends to be less of it.

Does removing facial peach fuzz cause stubble? ›

Does Removing Peach Fuzz Hair Cause Stubble? Despite the myth, choosing to remove your peach fuzz does not mean it'll grow back thicker or darker with a stubble-like appearance.

Why do I still have stubble after laser? ›

With hairs at different stages at any given time, a single laser session can only target hairs in the active growth phase. This discrepancy means that hairs not in the active phase during treatment will continue to grow, leading to the perception of stubble.

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 at home laser hair removal on pubic hair? ›

Downsides of At-Home Laser Hair Removal Treatment

The risk is especially high if you use a machine that's incompatible with your hair color and skin tone. You may also be prone to redness and irritation if you treat sensitive skin and delicate areas such as pubic hair.

What happens if you pluck before IPL? ›

Plucking, waxing and bleaching reduces the effectiveness of the treatment. If you do pluck, wax or bleach the IPL treatment will not be as effective and you will require additional treatments.

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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