Before every laser treatment, one of the things we recommend to our guests is to shave the area to be lasered. Shaving is an important step during a laser hair removal treatment. In this article, you'll discover when to shave before laser hair removal , why you should shave, and the best steps to take to do it correctly. Let's get started!

Why should you shave before laser hair removal?

Shaving before laser hair removal is a necessary step for the success of your treatment. By shaving the hair at the skin's surface, it allows the laser energy to penetrate directly into the hair follicles and target the hair shaft without affecting the epidermis. Long hair can cause laser energy to disperse, reducing its effectiveness and increasing the risk of burns.

In fact, shaving the hair before the laser is also a way to protect the skin from overexposure to the heat of the laser and thus protect it from burns.

Of course, there are other recommendations to help you properly prepare for your laser hair removal sessions. Discover them right here!

When to shave before laser hair removal?

Therapists generally recommend shaving the area to be treated 24/48 hours before your hair removal session or on the day of your appointment. The rate at which your hair grows back determines when it's best to shave before a laser hair removal session.

During the few hours before your session, the hairs have time to grow back to the recommended length, just at the surface of the skin, allowing the laser to target them more effectively.

Can you shave between laser sessions?

Yes, you can shave between laser hair removal sessions. However, it's best to give the treated area time to recover before waxing again. For more sensitive skin, wait at least 48 hours before shaving.

Can you wax between laser hair removal sessions?

Once you begin laser hair removal treatment, you should avoid any hair removal methods that pull out the hair by the root. Therefore, waxing, electric epilators, or tweezers should not be used for approximately 15 days to 1 month before and between laser treatments, as this can compromise the effectiveness of the treatment.

Because the laser targets the melanin in the hair follicle, the treatment will be less effective if the hair bulb has not been preserved or weakened with waxing.

So, to avoid disrupting the proper functioning of laser hair removal, use only the razor.

How to properly shave the areas to be treated with laser? Our advice

To avoid irritating the skin and causing ingrown hairs, pimples, or the strawberry skin effect, it is important to shave the area thoroughly to prepare it for laser treatment. Here are the steps for a successful shave:

1. cut hairs that are too long with scissors or shorten them with clippers before shaving,
2. Rinse the area to be shaved thoroughly to avoid abrasions. Dry shaving is strongly discouraged.
3. shave in the direction of the hair growth, to avoid hair growing back in all directions,
4. for the bikini area, start shaving from top to bottom,
5. shave gently and precisely to avoid irritating the skin, avoid making several passes over the same area,
6. Once finished, clean the surface with a mild product, rinse and dry the area thoroughly.
7. Do not apply cream or oil before the laser hair removal session. This can alter the process.

Conclusion

When should you shave before laser hair removal? You can shave the day before or on the day of the session. To maintain hair-free skin throughout the treatment, it is possible to shave between hair removal sessions, but you will need to wait a few days for the treated skin to recover.

Finally, to optimize the results of the laser, wax, tweezers and epilators should be strictly avoided before and during your treatment.

For personalized advice and recommendations, do not hesitate to make an appointment for a free, no-obligation initial consultation.