A common misconception about laser hair removal is a single treatment will eliminate the need to shave forever. While that is the end goal, multiple treatments are required to achieve it. Hair grows in different stages, and the best way to eliminate it is to get it treated when it’s actively growing. This just means you’ll have to continue shaving in between your laser hair removal treatments until it has finally stopped growing back. Here are some tips when it comes to the timing of your shaving routine.
Can You Shave After Laser Hair Removal?
You can shave after you are receive a laser hair removal treatment. However, it is important that you do not shave right away.
You’ll be required by your medical professional to shave several days before your appointment to ensure the hair is the right length. Even the best hair removal laser won’t be effective if it’s unable to target your hair follicles. Then once you get treated, it’s best to wait several days before you shave the treated area. Everyone’s body is different so the best thing to do is touch the skin to determine the sensitivity before shaving. If you shave too quickly you may irritate the skin even more, so waiting at least three or four days after your treatment is usually ideal.
Exfoliate After The Hair Has Shed
A few days following your laser hair removal treatment, you may notice your hair shedding. This is completely normal and is a sign the treatment worked. The hairs that fall out are the ones that were damaged by the laser and will no longer come back. Before you shave, consider exfoliating the skin to get all of the damaged hair out. This step isn’t necessarily a requirement, but it will make your shave more effective by doing so.
Plan Your Shaving Around Your Next Appointment
Take note of how often you had to shave before your laser hair removal treatment and then how much the frequency decreased afterward. If you used to have to shave every three days, you may be able to reduce it to every four days now. When looking ahead, ask your medical professional when you should shave before your next appointment to ensure the hair is the proper length to make the most out of your treatment.
Skin Deep Laser Services offers affordable laser hair removal to our clients because everyone deserves to feel comfortable and confident in their skin. We are very involved with the process of every laser hair removal treatment in order to maximize its effectiveness. One of the main reasons why some people don’t think hair removal treatments work is because they did not let their hair grow out to the proper length and did not shave at the appropriate times. We will guide you along the way to ensure you get the most out of every treatment. Be sure to contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more.
FAQs
If you shave too quickly you may irritate the skin even more, so waiting at least three or four days after your treatment is usually ideal. A few days following your laser hair removal treatment, you may notice your hair shedding. This is completely normal and is a sign the treatment worked.
How soon after laser hair removal can I shave again? ›
It is generally recommended to wait at least three or four days after laser hair removal treatment before shaving the treated area. This allows time for the skin to recover and reduces the risk of irritation. Some sources suggest waiting until shedding occurs, which typically happens a few days after treatment.
Is it bad to shave in between laser appointments? ›
Yes, you can shave in between each laser hair removal treatment. During your course of treatment, you can shave any unwanted hair that may regrow. After your first laser hair removal session you will notice that you won't need to shave as much as before.
Is it bad to wait too long between laser hair removal treatments? ›
If you want too long between treatments, your hair follicles won't be damaged enough to stop growing hair. You'll see an initial thinning, but your results will fade, and it won't be long before you're back to normal hair growth.
How many times can I shave before laser hair removal? ›
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.
Is 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.
How to remove hair between laser sessions? ›
Shaving Between Laser Hair Removal Sessions
While laser hair removal aims to permanently reduce hair growth, it is not uncommon for some hair regrowth to occur between sessions. Shaving can be a convenient and safe method to manage hair between laser hair removal treatments.
What happens if you shave 2 hours before laser? ›
Make sure you don't shave immediately before your Palo Alto laser hair removal treatment, as this increases the odds for inflammation and swelling.
What happens if you don't shave properly before laser? ›
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.
Can I shave an hour before my laser appointment? ›
Shave, don't wax!
To prepare for your laser hair removal, shave the area 12-14 hours before your appointment with a clean, sharp razor. Be sure to remove all hairs especially longer hairs sitting above the skin as this can cause burns.
Tips to Encourage Faster Shedding
Moisturising the Skin: Proper hydration of the skin can ease the shedding of hair. Opt for hypoallergenic and fragrance-free moisturisers that soothe without causing irritation. Avoiding Sun Exposure: The treated areas are particularly sensitive to UV rays post-laser.
Does hair grow in between laser sessions? ›
It is rare for patients to experience excessive hair growth in the target area. Patients may notice more hair 1 – 3 weeks after laser hair removal sessions as follicles in the growing cycle begin to shed.
What happens if you stop laser hair removal after 3 sessions? ›
When the hair is in the active growth phase (Anagen phase), the laser energy is absorbed by the melanin and destroys the hair follicle. If treatment is stopped before all of the hair follicles have been destroyed, some may continue to grow.
Is it OK to shave between laser treatments? ›
While you can shave between sessions, don't shave right after one. You need to shave 24-48 hours before the treatment–– your clinic will have given you advice about this (or read our blog on preparing for a session here).
How quickly can you shave after laser? ›
Wait at least 24-48 Hours: It's typically recommended to wait at least 24 to 48 hours after your laser treatment before shaving. This allows your skin to recover and reduces the risk of irritation.
Why is my hair not shedding after laser? ›
It might be that not enough time has passed post-treatment for the hair to shed. Or it could mean that the laser wasn't able to effectively target the hair follicles because it wasn't in the right growth phase yet, so the laser couldn't treat it.
How many days after laser hair removal can I exfoliate? ›
Exfoliating Your Skin
Following a laser hair removal treatment, you should avoid hot baths and showers for 48 hours to limit skin irritation. You should also avoid exfoliating for at least 10 days after your treatment. Not only can exfoliation cause severe skin irritation, it can also create clogged pores.
What does shedding look like after laser hair removal? ›
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.
Why can't I get a close shave after laser? ›
The laser uses intense heat to target the hair follicles beneath the skin's surface, which causes them to enter a dormant phase. The hair present during the treatment eventually falls off, but not instantaneously. So patience is key. Post-treatment, you may find hairs that seem stubborn and resistant to shaving.
