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.
Should you shave between laser hair removal treatments? ›
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.
How long should you wait between laser hair removal and shaving? ›
What do I need to do to prepare for my Laser Hair Removal appointment? Shave treatment area at least 12-24 hours prior to your treatment. Avoid chemical peels or laser resurfacing treatments at least 4 weeks before your treatment. Exfoliate the treatment area at least 3 days before your treatment.
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 should be the gap between two laser hair removal sessions? ›
Removing hair often requires a series of laser treatments. Most patients can have laser hair removal once every 4 to 6 weeks. Your dermatologist will tell you when it is safe to have another treatment.
Why do you have to wait between laser hair removal treatments? ›
The laser's energy won't do as much damage to follicles that are shedding or dormant. As you wait a few weeks between each treatment, more hair will move from dormant or shedding and into the active growing stage, allowing your next treatment to effectively target them.
Does laser hair removal mean you never have to shave again? ›
Occasionally, you may notice stray hairs here and there in an area that's been treated with a laser, but they're usually very light and very thin. Some people may need to go back for touch-up laser treatments from time to time. The bottom line is: Yes, laser hair removal allows you to never shave again.
What happens if you shave too early after laser? ›
Immediately after your treatment your skin is likely to be sensitive – if you shave too soon after your session you may irritate the skin. Generally you'll need to wait a week , but everyone's skin is different so it might be worth shaving a small patch first to see how your skin reacts.
Why isn't my laser hair removal working? ›
If you saw a less than stellar result on your last treatments it could have been due to not being in the hair growth stage in the cycle during time of procedure. Hormonal imbalance while undergoing laser treatments can stimulate increased hair regrowth.
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.
Perfect Shaving
Left it a little late and your appointments in 1 hour – well there's no reason why you can't shave just before. However, I recommend you do your shaving one day prior, because shaving can often leave the skin red and irritated.
What happens if I stop laser hair removal after 4 sessions? ›
If treatment is stopped before all of the hair follicles have been destroyed, some may continue to grow. It is important to complete the recommended treatment plan to achieve the best results. Sometimes, the patient sees hairs are thicker and darker after the treatment when they have original light and fair hair.
Why is my hair not shedding after laser? ›
Not all treated hairs shed immediately because they have different growth cycles. Laser works during the anagen phase, which only around 15% of hairs are in during one session. So, only these hairs fall out 5-14 days after treatment.
Can I shave between laser sessions? ›
Unlike some other hair removal methods, laser hair removal does not just allow you to shave in between treatments—it's actually a requirement. It's perfectly normal for some hair to grow in after each laser session as each hair is in a different stage of the growth cycle.
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.
How to make laser hair removal more effective? ›
Shaving and exfoliating can increase follicular activity, making the following laser treatment more effective. Another tip suggested by experts is to pay attention to hair growth during laser hair removal treatment. Some localized areas may grow more quickly than others. This is a detail to share with your provider.
How to remove dead hair follicles after laser? ›
You can help speed up the process by gently exfoliating the area with a loofah or exfoliating scrub. However, if the black dots are a sign of new hair growth, it's important to avoid removing them. Removing the hair prematurely can lead to ingrown hairs or other skin irritation.
What to expect after a second laser hair removal treatment? ›
Side Effects of Laser Hair Removal
It's completely normal to experience some skin irritation right after each laser hair removal session. Depending on your skin's sensitivity, you may experience some residual itchiness, discomfort similar to razor burn, and skin redness that may persist for the next 24 hours.
