Many people ask if it is permissible to shave prior to laser hair removal and the answer is yes, provided that this occurs 24 hours before your appointment.
Your body’s hair grows in cycles, meaning that laser treatments can only target active follicles at the time of treatment. Waxing, plucking and tweezing pull the hair out at its source; therefore they should not be undertaken before laser treatments begin.
Shaving
Shaving is an increasingly popular method for the removal of unwanted body hair. While it can be quick and inexpensive, and relatively painless in terms of short term pain relief, shaves take considerable time and often result in razor burn, ingrown hairs and skin patches resulting from this practice. But there is an easier solution! Laser hair removal provides permanent solution that takes the pain out of shaving, waxing and plucking unwanted body hair with lasting results that don’t require constant attention or additional products like wax.
Your specialist will advise you on how best to prepare for laser treatment, which may include shaving the area 24 hours in advance of your appointment. The reason is straightforward; in order for the laser to target hair roots effectively with light energy, it must first see their roots clearly; otherwise they’ll absorb all of it and render treatment ineffective.
Due to hair roots being deep below the surface of your skin, in order for laser light to damage them it must first penetrate it first. By shaving in advance, laser light can easily find and damage hair follicles without absorbing too much light energy during the process.
Before commencing laser hair removal treatment, it is best to refrain from waxing or plucking the area as this will remove hair at its roots, hindering treatment. Furthermore, applying self-tanners or tanning products could cause laser light to discolour skin in this region.
Final tip: for optimal laser hair removal results, avoid sun exposure for at least two weeks prior to any laser hair removal appointment. Sunlight can discolor your skin and reduce results, or cause painful burning and blistering of the treatment site.
After laser hair removal treatments, you should allow the area to recover fully before shaving again. This may take several days while your body sheds damaged hair follicles. Exfoliation may help eliminate dead skin cells which could clog hair follicles; you should also refrain from applying creams or lotions directly onto this area as these could disrupt its effectiveness and affect future treatments.
Waxing
Shaving prior to laser hair removal can be beneficial, as it removes hair above the surface so as not to interfere with treatment or increase risk of nicks and cuts. However, be wary not to shave too closely; otherwise the laser may mistakenly target skin instead of hair follicles, leading to discomfort or an adverse skin reaction.
Waxing or plucking hair in areas being treated by laser is also crucial, since these processes temporarily remove hair follicles and roots that the laser seeks to target.
Before your laser hair removal appointment, it is also wise to avoid products containing glycolic acid and retinol that could irritate your skin and make it sensitive to light. In such instances, it would be prudent to reschedule.
Avoid sunbathing and self-tanners as these can discolor the skin, which could alter the results of your treatment and lead to blotching and irritation. Use a light sunscreen with SPF 30 at least for best results.
Shaving before each laser session can help prevent new hair growth, improve results, and decrease maintenance needs. With time, shaving may become unnecessary or may only need to be performed occasionally or never at all. If it becomes necessary to shave, be mindful not to use razors with rough edges as these can lead to redness and bumps on the skin. Gently press against your razor to prevent burning the surface of the skin and avoid redness or bumps on its surface. At the end of every use, it is vitally important that a razor has been thoroughly cleaned and sanitised after each use. This will prevent bacteria buildup on its blade. For razors with multiple blades, consider changing out the dullest one before each use in order to keep the razor sharp and reduce risk of cuts and scrapes on skin.
Epilating
laser hair removal treatments typically require multiple appointments due to your body hair growing in cycles. For best results, appointments should coincide with anagen phase growth – when new hair begins growing and pushes out older ones from reaching the skin’s surface. By plucking or waxing before or just prior to laser treatment sessions, you are disrupting this natural anagen cycle and lessening its efficacy.
Lasers work by targeting melanin in hair follicles. Plucking or tweezing pulls melanin away from its source; when this occurs, lasers may singe and burn the follicle to damage and stop further hair growth in that follicle. Waxing removes melanin from its source thus protecting it from being targeted by lasers.
Before your laser session, it’s essential that you shave the area you wish to treat using a new razor, not one showing signs of wear and tear. Otherwise, using worn out blades could result in cuts and nicks during treatment, making the experience painful.
Before your laser appointment, it’s also wise to avoid applying creams and makeup that could interfere with its effectiveness by forcing the laser beams to focus on different areas of skin – this may disrupt results and necessitate multiple sessions for effective care.
Shave the area being treated two to three days prior to laser therapy in order to allow your skin time to heal from shaving and prepare itself for laser treatment. Furthermore, it’s advisable not to expose that area to sunlight and tanning beds in the weeks leading up to laser therapy as exposure could make your skin darker, thus lessening its effectiveness and increasing side effects.
Skin Care
Before laser hair removal treatment begins, your skin must be free from lotions, tanners and deodorant products as well as plucking, waxing, tweezing and chemical depilatories like Nair. Also avoid plucking, waxing and chemical depilatories that disrupt hair follicles for at least six weeks prior to starting laser treatment as this may reduce results.
Before the procedure begins, your specialist should cleanse and shave the area to be treated to ensure all unwanted hair is gone from it.
Your treatment area will then be protected with either protective gel or cooling device, depending on the type of laser being used for your procedure. Goggles will then be provided to protect your eyes from laser beam.
Once the laser beam passes through your skin, it will heat up the pigment in hair follicles to disable them and stop new hair growth. While you may feel a mild burning sensation during this process, it will only last temporarily and is easily controlled with sunscreen with high SPF numbers after your laser treatment has completed.
Your treatment will soon have the desired effects; within days to several months after commencing it you should notice that unwanted hair has begun to shed off in clumps, rather than sprouting from new follicles. You can speed this process along by regularly washing the area with a washcloth or Shobha(r) exfoliating cloth and shaving as necessary – plus using quality moisturizer for best results.
There are numerous advantages of laser hair removal, such as permanent reduction of unwanted hair. To get optimal results from this treatment, however, follow a few key do’s and don’ts before beginning this treatment plan. Follow our helpful guides below for optimal laser hair removal results – and soon enough you will have silky smooth skin without a hair in sight! For more information about laser hair removal contact the team at Laser Hair Removal Charlotte today.
