Lasers safely heat and damage hair follicles to inhibit further hair growth; however, shaving, plucking and waxing impede this process, rendering it less effective.
After your treatment, it is normal for some hairs to shed after exfoliating and shaving; this is simply another indicator that it worked effectively. Exfoliate before shaving to help eliminate damaged hairs and maximize results.
Shaving before the procedure
Shave at least 24 hours prior to scheduling a laser hair removal appointment in order to avoid razor burn and enable your technician to better see your skin. Use a sharp razor as dull blades may cause cuts that could lead to infection; failing this, your session may need to be rescheduled.
Before going in for laser hair removal treatments, it is wise to avoid waxing or plucking, as these methods rip out hair from its source – something which would hinder its effective removal with laser light beams. Tweezing or epilating in between sessions should also be avoided, as this may disrupt the natural cycle of body hair growth and decrease effectiveness of treatment sessions.
However, you can continue shaving the area between sessions. It is important to keep in mind that hair that regrows after laser treatments tends to be finer and thinner due to laser light’s destruction of certain follicles causing them to stop producing new growth. You can still shave between treatments; just wait a bit for it all to grow back out first before shaving again.
Laser hair removal treatments can be delicate processes. Therefore, it is advised that shaving be limited to just prior or on the day of your appointment, then beginning exfoliation four or five days post treatment being careful not to cause irritation to the treated area. It may also be wise to avoid scrubs containing glycolic acid or retinol prior to starting any treatments.
After laser hair removal, your eyebrows and eyelashes should also be shaved but never waxed; plucking is permitted but be wary not to over-pluck. In order to protect delicate skin after treatment, sunbathing is strongly discouraged as sunrays can damage delicate tissues; use sunscreen with at least an SPF 30 rating instead.
Shaving after the procedure
Patients typically are advised not to shave for at least two weeks following laser hair removal sessions in order to allow their skin to fully heal, prevent irritation or damage and maximize results. Some individuals may feel tempted to shave between treatments – this is acceptable; just be mindful that shaving too soon after laser hair removal could damage hair follicles and disrupt their growth cycle of new hairs; it is wise to consult a healthcare provider regarding the best shaving schedule after your laser session.
If you decide to shave following your laser hair removal session, ensure you use a high-quality razor. A cheaply made blade could increase the risk of cuts and nicks while thinned hair could affect treatment efficacy; additionally it’s essential to shave gently if you have sensitive skin as too much pressure could lead to rash and irritation.
Additionally, in the weeks prior to laser treatments it is wise to refrain from waxing, plucking, or using skin bleaching creams on the treated area as these activities may interfere with its efficacy by damaging or disrupting hair follicles and interfering with their effectiveness. You should instead trim or shave this area the night before and day of treatment in order to minimize disruption and enhance effectiveness.
As soon as your laser hair removal treatments conclude, your hair may begin to fall out. This is normal and an indication that the laser treatment has damaged your follicles. Exfoliate this area once every week in order to remove any remaining damaged hairs that remain.
Many people mistakenly assume that one laser hair removal treatment will permanently reduce hair. Unfortunately, multiple sessions are usually required in order to achieve permanent hair reduction, since hair grows at various rates throughout its growth process and treatment should take place when hair growth is most active.
Shaving in between sessions
Shaving in between laser hair removal sessions is perfectly fine and won’t diminish your results. But waxing or plucking should be avoided in between laser sessions as these methods pull hair from its roots, potentially diminishing how effective your treatment will be. Furthermore, avoid tweezing until after your session has concluded if possible.
After your laser hair removal treatment, it is advisable to wait several days before returning to shaving the area again. Your skin may still be sensitive from your session; to minimize irritation it’s wiser to give yourself time for healing while exfoliating to remove dead follicles from this time-honored method of hair removal.
Once you begin laser treatments, you should notice that the hair on your body starts growing slower and thinner; you may even experience some hair shedding which is completely normal due to damaged follicles no longer producing new growth.
Between sessions, shaving can still be performed so long as hairs don’t reach an unmanageable length on your skin’s surface. Also be mindful not to shave areas which haven’t been treated, as doing so could cause ingrown hairs.
For assistance before or after laser hair removal treatments, consult with a specialist. They can advise you on the optimal shaving technique and frequency. Once laser treatments have completed, shaving frequency should reduce, until eventually you can stop altogether! For more information about how laser hair removal can benefit you contact Body Details now to achieve smooth, beautiful skin!
Shaving in the days leading up to the procedure
Laser hair removal is a safe and effective solution to get rid of unwanted body hair, quick and painlessly. After only a few sessions it can even provide permanent results! However, before making this commitment it’s essential to understand how shaving could impact the outcome.
Shaving in the days prior to your procedure can actually lessen its efficacy; laser treatment targets both hair follicles and their roots; therefore it’s crucial that they’re above the surface of your skin for maximum effectiveness. Shaving could potentially prevent this effect because follicles have now been destroyed following laser treatments and hair will grow back more slowly afterward.
Shaving can cause ingrown hairs, further harming results. Since ingrowns are frequently the result of shaving, it is best to delay shaving the area around ingrowns until they have grown out on their own. As ingrowns can be extremely uncomfortable and even painful to deal with, it is wise to do everything possible to avoid ingrowns as much as possible.
After your laser hair removal session, it is also wise to wait at least a few days before exfoliating the area where laser hair removal took place. Doing so could potentially damage and hyperpigment your skin and is best avoided until fully recovered.
Metro Dermatology of Elmhurst offers safe and effective laser hair removal treatments to remove unwanted hair safely. Within just a few treatments, you will enjoy hair-free skin for years!
If you need advice regarding shaving prior to getting laser hair removal done, speak with a board-certified dermatologist for guidance. They will be able to suggest which is the most suitable approach based on your skin type and condition.
