Laser hair removal is no longer one of those experimental treatments that aren’t well-studied or well-understood. We know that it provides reliable results and is safe for the vast majority of candidates. Not only that, but we can give you accurate predictions on how long it will take you to get the results you want. This means that if you have any questions relating to your treatment, you can be assured that clear, evidence-based answers are available.
Can You Shave Between Laser Hair Removal Sessions?
If you’ve done any research into this hair removal method, you’ll know that while it works, it doesn’t give total instant results. Treatment is only effective on hairs that are in the active growth phase of their life cycle, which means that you will see some hair continue to grow in between sessions. However, you’ll be happy to know that not only can you shave these hairs between sessions, you’re actually encouraged to do so!
Why Is Shaving OK?
The reason why shaving in between sessions doesn’t create treatment issues is because of how the laser treatment works. During a session, we use a concentrated beam of light (the laser) that targets the pigment in each hair follicle. The heat from the laser damages the follicle so that it will not grow hair anymore.
Shaving removes hair at the skin level and leaves the follicle intact, which means you can continue to shave to manage regrowth without interfering with the next session.
Why Is Shaving Recommended?
The laser process is designed to target the root of the hair beneath the skin. If you have long hair above the surface of the skin during treatment this can interfere with the laser’s ability to accurately target the follicle. Shaving trims the hair to skin level and reduces the risk of burns from hairs sitting above the surface. It also ensures a more comfortable and effective session since there is no hair above the skin to absorb the laser energy. We recommend that you shave 24–48 hours before your treatment to ensure the best results.
How Often Can You Shave Between Sessions?
We wouldn’t impose a strict limit but would generally advise you to shave only when necessary. After a treatment session you should wait until the treated area has fully healed before shaving it, which may take up to 72 hours.
The most important guideline is to avoid irritating your skin. This means that you should avoid shaving daily if possible, as it can cause irritation, razor burn, or ingrown hairs. You should use a gentle shaving cream or gel and shave in the direction of hair growth in order to reduce friction and skin damage. After you have finished, apply a fragrance-free moisturizer to hydrate your skin and help the healing process.
What Else Should You Do Between Sessions?
Immediately after a laser session your skin may look a little pink, feel warm or tender, and appear slightly swollen. These are completely normal side effects of the process and will dissipate within a few days. Use a cool cloth or an ice pack to bring relief if you need to.
After your skin has returned completely to normal, usually two or three days after treatment, you should begin to exfoliate your the skin gently to help prevent ingrown hairs and assist with the shedding of dead hair. You can do this with a gentle scrub or a wash cloth.
What Hair Removal Methods Are Not OK?
There are two kinds of hair removal methods that you need to avoid while you are in the laser treatment process.
Firstly, you must not use any methods that remove the hair from the skin along with the root. This includes waxing, plucking, sugaring, threading, and using an epilator. If you remove the whole hair from your skin, we cannot use the pigmented hair root to target the hair follicle. Waxing and other methods that pull the whole hair out can also disrupt the hair growth cycle, which throws off the timing needed for optimal laser treatment. These factors make your treatment sessions less effective and lead to the process taking much longer.
Secondly, you must not use depilatory creams such as Nair. Depilatory creams do not remove hair from under the skin, but they can cause irritation, increasing the risk of adverse reactions during the hair removal sessions.
What Else Should You Avoid Between Sessions?
As with hair removal methods, you should avoid anything that will irritate your skin, as this can interfere with the healing process and possibly delay future treatments.
This means that you should skip products containing retinoids or AHAs/BHAs for a few days after shaving, and for 3–5 days before each laser treatment, as these products can further irritate treated skin. It is also a good idea to avoid drinking alcohol 24 hours before and after treatment, as it can increase skin sensitivity, dryness, and risk of side effects.
Remember that tight-fitting clothes, friction, and sweating can irritate your skin after treatment and after shaving, and be careful about how you dress, especially for any vigorous activity. We would also recommend that you use effective UV protection if the areas you have had treated will be exposed to the sun.
Can Shaving Cause More Hair To Grow?
One of the most persistent myths is that shaving causes hair to grow back thicker or faster, but this is simply not true. The reason behind this misinformation is that because shaving cuts the hair at the surface and the tip of the hair is blunt, it may appear darker or coarser when it grows back. However, we guarantee that it does not alter the hair’s density, color, or growth rate.
Shaving will not counteract your long-term hair removal effort. In fact, as your laser treatments progress, you will notice that regrowth is slower, hair is finer, and you don’t need to shave as often. Our goal for you is to reach a point where shaving is hardly needed, or not needed at all.
Is Everyone a Good Candidate for This Treatment?
Although the majority of people make good candidates for laser, it will not work on everyone. Because the laser targets pigment in the hair follicle, this treatment works best on those with light skin and dark hair. If you have red, gray, or white hair, treatment is still possible, but the results you see may not be as good or may take more sessions to achieve.
There are also medical reasons why this treatment is not for you. For example, we cannot use laser to remove your hair while you are pregnant. Likewise, there are certain skin conditions and medications that might make this treatment unsuitable for you, so it is important to give us a full picture of your health when you come for your initial consultation.
Shaving is an important part of the laser hair removal process, helping to ensure the effectiveness of the treatment, along with your safety and comfort. Laser hair removal is one of the most popular methods of long-lasting hair reduction for a reason. Schedule a consultation with us today at Refinery Medspa & Wellness in West Melbourne and Indian Harbor, FL, and we will work closely with you to create a tailored treatment plan to help you achieve the results you’re looking for. Alternatively, you can also call us at 321-341-3321 to reach us in West Melbourne, FL, or call us at 321-428-3004 to reach us in Indian Harbour Beach, FL. Don’t forget to follow us on social media for our latest deals and specials & events!
