When Should You Stop Shaving Before Laser Hair Removal? | Illuminate (2024)

When Should You Stop Shaving Before Laser Hair Removal? | Illuminate (1)

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 Palo Alto med spa, Illuminate Plastic Surgery.

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 Palo Alto laser hair removal treatment, as this increases the odds for inflammation and swelling.

“What Else Should I Do?”

In addition to shaving before your treatment, make sure you wear sunscreen when going outside. You should also avoid tanning and using any kind of tanning lotion or spray.

After your laser hair removal treatment, you should avoid putting on perfumes and taking hot showers for at least 24 hours.

SculpSure Contouring in Palo Alto

Want to get silky smooth skin in as little as three months?* Clients in Palo Alto, CA, can contact Illuminate Plastic Surgery for more information on Palo Alto laser hair removal treatments, as well as what you should do before undergoing your procedure. Call (650) 433-8621 today to set up a consultation with Dr. David Boudreault or our Nurse Practitioner, Molly.

When Should You Stop Shaving Before Laser Hair Removal? | Illuminate (2024)

FAQs

When Should You Stop Shaving Before Laser Hair Removal? | Illuminate? ›

Even though it's suggested that you stop plucking

plucking
Plucking or tweezing can mean the process of human hair removal, removing animal hair or a bird's feathers by mechanically pulling the item from the owner's body. In humans, hair removal is done for personal grooming purposes, usually with tweezers.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Plucking_(hair_removal)
and waxing the area being treated, shaving it 24 to 48 hours prior your appointment is essential. Even though your hair is invisible to the naked eye, the laser is still able to target the pigment located in the hair's root.

How long before laser hair removal should I stop shaving? ›

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.

What happens if you shave less than 24 hours before laser hair removal? ›

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.

Is it OK to have stubble before laser hair removal? ›

Shave within 24 hours of your laser appointment. Your Laser Technician will not be able to go over areas with hair that's above the skin.

What if I cut myself shaving before laser hair removal? ›

If it's just a small cut or scrape in a larger area, we can simply use the laser around the cut. For smaller treatment areas or larger injuries to the skin, it's important to wait until you've had a chance to heal before attempting to remove the hair.

Can I shave 7 hours before laser? ›

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.

What happens if you shave too early after laser? ›

Immediately after your laser hair removal appointment, you might feel a slight burning sensation around the treated area. This sensitivity will likely only last a few hours, but shaving the area right away further increases your irritation.

What if I miss a spot shaving before laser? ›

If you forget to shave, the effectiveness of your treatment may diminish. The laser, instead of focusing on the follicles, might target surface hair.

Does laser work on unshaved hair? ›

Unshaved hair would attract lower laser energy on your skin and less concentrated energy means fewer hair follicles will be treated. In fact, it has been found that lowered laser energy tends to actually stimulate hair growth rather than weaken the hair follicle.

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.

Should you tip for laser hair removal? ›

Tipping for laser hair removal is not mandatory, but it is generally appreciated. Some sources suggest tipping after each visit, while others say it's okay to tip at the end of a series of treatments.

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.

What happens if you pluck hair before laser? ›

The day of your treatment, it is important to shave the area being treated. Don't wax or tweeze, which completely removes the hair, making it difficult for the laser to locate the follicle.

What happens if you shave too close to laser? ›

Shaving too closely right before your appointment can increase the sensitivity of your skin, making the treatment more uncomfortable. It can also increase the risk of skin irritation or redness.

How to speed up shedding after laser hair removal? ›

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.

Can I trim instead of shave before laser? ›

Handle with Care: If you're not accustomed to shaving your face, consider trimming the hair closely instead. Our skilled technicians will assist with any final prep on the day of your appointment.

How long should you not wax before laser hair removal? ›

Do not wax, tweeze, epilate or use chemical depilatories for two weeks before treatment, or at all in between laser treatments. Since the laser targets the root of the hair, it must be present for the treatment to be effective. Shaving is the only form of hair removal recommended during the course of your treatments.

What happens if you laser over a cut? ›

Using laser treatment to remove unwanted hair from damaged skin can further irritate the skin, especially if your skin is sensitive. Ultimately, this will increase the damage and prolong the healing process. Avoid treating areas with the following types of skin damage: Scrapes and cuts.

How do I prepare for laser hair removal? ›

If you're wondering how to prepare for laser hair removal, below is a quick guide for you:
  1. Consider your medical history. ...
  2. Limit sun exposure. ...
  3. Don't wax or tweeze the treatment area. ...
  4. Shave the treatment area. ...
  5. Stop bleaching your hair. ...
  6. Arrive with a clean skin. ...
  7. Wear loose clothing. ...
  8. Don't use skin products for 24 hours.
Feb 15, 2023

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