What Happens If You Don't Shave Before Laser Hair Removal? | Sparkle Lifestyle & MediSpa (2024)

FAQs

What Happens If You Don't Shave Before Laser Hair Removal? | Sparkle Lifestyle & MediSpa? ›

If you forget to shave, the effectiveness of your treatment may diminish. The laser, instead of focusing on the follicles, might target surface hair. This can lead to heightened discomfort, potential stinging, and a risk of burns. Surface impurities like dirt and oil can also reduce efficacy.

If the hair is long, this can lead to the laser burning the skin because it traveled the length of the hair and attacks the closest source of melanin. In this case, the skin. However, if the hair is short enough, it will only target the hair until it reaches the root of the follicle.

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.

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. Applying a heat treatment such as laser on the area may be very uncomfortable.

At best, a dull blade will give you an uneven shave and leave you with redness, blotches, and patches of unshaven hair on your face and neck. At worst, a dull blade will remove a fair amount of your skin along with the hair!

Potential Risks of Skipping the Shave

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.

When hair is left long, it can burn on the surface of the skin. Which can create a more painful experience. The burnt hairs can also lead to a less pleasant smell. And potential for a slight singeing of surrounding skin, not to mention the increased risk of skin irritation.

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.

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.

We need to essentially avoid the laser reaching the area of skin above the follicle, as this can lead to painful and uncomfortable skin irritation and skin burns. Shaving helps to ensure this does not happen, so make sure you shave before your treatment session.

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.

Wait until the skin has fully healed before shaving, which can take up to two weeks. Shaving too soon can cause further irritation and damage to the skin, which can lead to scarring and hyperpigmentation.

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.

Shaving your pubic hair is entirely a personal preference. As we mentioned, some people just let it grow out and never shave it off. The decision is based on comfort, appearance, and health. If you're prone to excessive sweating, not only will your hairy groin area overheat, but it may have an odor.

Infections. As mentioned above, pubic hair serves a protective function by trapping pathogens that could otherwise enter your body. Removing pubic hair may therefore make a person more susceptible to common infections, such as UTIs, vaginitis, and yeast infections.

When exactly should I shave before my laser treatment? 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.

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.

Wait until the skin has fully healed before shaving, which can take up to two weeks. Shaving too soon can cause further irritation and damage to the skin, which can lead to scarring and hyperpigmentation.

While a single laser hair removal session won't provide complete and permanent hair removal, you can expect a noticeable reduction in hair growth. Some hairs will shed in the days following the treatment.