If you want the best results from your laser hair removal sessions, shaving before each one will help ensure optimal outcomes. But to achieve maximum effectiveness it is also essential that you know when and how often to shave.
Shaving too far ahead of a laser treatment could compromise its ability to reach all follicles effectively and shaving too soon after could increase irritation.
The Right Time
There’s a common misunderstanding that when it comes to laser hair removal treatments, shaving isn’t permitted between sessions. Actually, shaving can play an integral part in helping the laser target the hair follicle more effectively compared to waxing or other methods of hair removal.
As well as shaving, it is also recommended that you avoid waxing and plucking in the days leading up to laser hair removal treatments. While these methods are less effective than shaving alone, they may damage or disrupt hair follicles which could interfere with laser sessions, potentially rendering them ineffective.
As part of your laser hair removal session, it is recommended that you shave either the day or night prior. Shaving will help ensure the appropriate length and thickness for laser to target. In addition, exfoliation before shaving may help rid yourself of dead skin cells which could hinder its ability to reach hair follicles effectively.
After your laser hair removal treatment, you may notice some of your hair is falling out – this is completely normal and a sure sign that the treatment is working! Although this can take some time for damaged hairs to fall out from beneath the skin and appear as “new growth”, they likely are simply thinner versions of natural hair that didn’t survive when you shave. Exfoliation in the days following can help ensure all old, damaged strands have shed. It may be beneficial to exfoliate periodically to ensure all old, thick strands have shed so that laser can target them properly.
If you are considering laser hair removal, it is essential that you understand that multiple sessions will likely be necessary before it will completely clear from the follicles. Therefore, it’s vitally important that you follow all instructions provided by your laser technician and utilize quality shaving products so as to get optimal results.
The Wrong Time
Although it is necessary to shave prior to laser hair removal sessions, it is wise not to shave directly after. Too soon can damage the skin and lead to severe discomfort following treatments; this may leave an area feeling hot and itchy for hours or even days afterwards. Furthermore, activities which could irritate or inflame the skin such as taking hot showers/baths or doing any activity that causes skin rubbing should also be avoided in order to minimize potential reactions from occurring such as taking hot showers/baths etc.
Prior to your laser treatment appointment, it is wise to refrain from plucking or waxing areas that need to be treated, as these methods of hair removal pull hair by its roots – which could interfere with how effective the laser will work. Furthermore, tanning – both real and fake – may interfere with how effectively the laser captures melanin in hair follicles; to get optimal results we advise staying out of direct sunlight and using a sunless tanner for lightening skin four weeks prior. This should help get maximum effectiveness from laser treatment results.
Over a series of laser hair removal treatments, your number of hair follicles will gradually diminish until they no longer produce new follicles, leading to long-term or even permanent reduction. However, if too much time passes between treatments your follicles won’t have been damaged enough to stop producing hair again; and they will gradually return to their normal state of growth.
Once your laser hair removal session is over, the unwanted hair should begin shedding or falling out from your skin, which is an indicator that the laser hair removal treatment was successful. Shaving before this occurs would only waste money and render the treatment ineffective; wait until all hair naturally sheds before considering shaving as this is much more efficient way of maintaining smooth and healthy-looking skin.
The Right Way
No matter which laser treatment option you select, it is crucial to refrain from plucking, waxing, or using other hair removal methods in between sessions. Such actions disrupt natural body hair cycles, making laser treatments ineffective against them. Furthermore, shaving between laser treatments can be too aggressive, potentially injuring follicles in addition to skin.
Before scheduling a laser session, it is recommended that you shave several days prior. This ensures your hair is at an appropriate length to be targeted by a laser; too-long locks could obstruct its targeting capabilities while short ones will never provide adequate treatment.
When shaving between laser hair removal appointments, it’s advisable to use a razor that has been sharpened and has fresh blades. This will decrease your chance of accidentally cutting yourself or inflicting scars due to accidental cuts or cuts on the skin. Exfoliation prior to shaving may also help eliminate dead skin that has collected on its surface and prevent razor burn.
Once your series of laser hair removal sessions is over, there should no longer be a need to shave in the area again. However, follow-up sessions must continue in order to maintain permanent results; after six or nine sessions you won’t even feel the urge to reach for your razor.
If you have any inquiries about laser hair removal, don’t hesitate to contact us. Our team of knowledgeable professionals is more than willing to address your concerns and ensure you achieve beautiful, smooth skin. Let’s get you on your journey of permanent body hair removal by getting in touch today – you won’t regret it.
The Wrong Way
People often make the mistake of shaving immediately before or during laser hair removal treatment sessions, which should always be avoided as this causes damage to hair follicles and makes laser hair removal less effective overall. Shaving also removes outer layers from follicles which causes further disruptions reducing effectiveness of treatment sessions.
Waxing prior or after laser hair removal treatments is another costly mistake, as this removes hair roots that could have been targeted by laser treatment and renders the process ineffective. Furthermore, waxing or plucking damages follicles by leaving behind dead skin around them that clogs them resulting in ingrown hairs and skin irritation post-treatment.
Many people shave too often between laser hair removal treatments, which is potentially more damaging than not shaving at all. Frequent shaving may lead to darker and thicker regrowth that makes laser removal treatments harder to target and remove unwanted hairs. Therefore, it is recommended that individuals only shave once or twice weekly between treatments.
After receiving laser hair removal treatment, it is recommended to wait a few days before shaving again as this could irritate sensitive areas immediately following treatment. In order to allow time for healing of the skin and minimize irritants such as shaving.
Exfoliate the area prior to laser hair removal treatment in order to remove any loose hairs that have fallen out and help clear away damaged ones that have fallen out. Once treatment has taken effect, you may notice your hair is thinning or falling out; this is an indicator that the laser has done its job and successfully killed off unwanted follicles.
