Properly removing hair in the treatment area before your laser hair removal session is essential for ensuring safety, achieving optimal results, and enhancing comfort. We recommend shaving 24 hours before your treatment to ensure the best experience. Having the area properly shaved helps the laser treatment feel more comfortable and ensures the laser targets hair follicles effectively.
At the start of your treatment journey, if your hair is coarse or thick, shaving may feel challenging. However, after 2-3 sessions, as the hair becomes finer and lighter, shaving will become much easier.
Effects on Skin Safety
One of the most important reasons to shave properly before your laser hair removal treatment is to protect your skin. If you don’t shave correctly, laser treatment may not work as well. If there’s too much hair above the follicle, it can absorb the energy from the laser instead of allowing it to reach the follicle directly. This can lead to skin irritation and minor, red scratch-like marks on the treated area.
Fortunately, these marks are temporary and will heal within a few days. However, to prevent this from happening, it’s essential to ensure that your skin is free from excess hair. A clean shave helps to ensure that the laser energy goes exactly where it needs to—into the follicle.
Proper shaving eliminates this risk, ensuring that your treatment will be as effective and safe as possible. Any irritation from an improper shave is short-lived, but the effects of improperly shaved skin can reduce the results of your treatment.
Effects on Laser Hair Removal Results
If you don’t shave properly, your results may not be as effective. When hair is left above the follicle, it can absorb the laser energy meant for the follicle, causing a loss of effectiveness. The laser needs to target the hair follicles directly to disable them, but if hair above the follicle is not removed, the energy gets diverted and doesn’t reach the base of the hair follicle as efficiently. This can lead to less hair removal over time.
Laser hair removal is most effective when the laser energy reaches the root of the hair, where it can damage the follicle and prevent future growth. If there’s excess hair, it acts as a barrier, reducing the efficiency of the treatment. This is why removing hair before each session is so important for achieving smooth and long-lasting results.
Effects on Comfort Levels During Treatment
Shaving also plays a significant role in your comfort during the laser hair removal treatment. If you leave hair above the follicle, it can make the treatment feel more intense. The laser energy will be absorbed by the hair above the skin, causing a greater sensation during each pulse of the laser. This results in a more uncomfortable experience.
When the skin is shaved, the energy can target the follicle directly, which minimizes the sensation during the procedure. Shaving the area properly ensures that each pulse is effective and more comfortable, which leads to a more relaxed treatment experience.
Many people find that after the first few sessions, as their hair becomes finer and sparser, the treatment becomes less uncomfortable. If hair removal is done properly, you’ll likely experience minimal discomfort throughout your treatments.
Shaving Tips for Optimal Comfort
We recommend shaving 24 hours prior to your laser hair removal session. Use light pressure with a high-quality shaving foam and a sharp razor blade to avoid irritation. Avoid repeatedly passing the razor over the same section of skin, as this can lead to skin irritation, making the treatment more uncomfortable. For those with folliculitis or ingrown hairs, it’s best to use a new razor blade every time to minimize the risk of infection.
If you suffer from folliculitis or ingrown hairs, it’s best to use a new razor blade each time. This minimizes the risk of any infections or irritation. Shaving with a fresh blade helps ensure that you’re not introducing bacteria into the skin, which is particularly important in sensitive areas.
For larger treatment areas, such as legs or arms, shaving is crucial before every session. While hair removal cream can be an option, it’s only recommended for smaller areas (like the lip, chin, or sides of the face), and should be applied at least 48 hours before your treatment.
Need More Advice on Hair Removal Before Your Laser Treatment?
If you have any questions about the best way to remove hair before your laser treatment, don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team at GoLaser. We are happy to provide you with personalized advice to ensure your experience is as smooth and effective as possible.
