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Is It Necessary To Shave Before Laser Hair Removal?

By dan | Feb 03, 2025 | Laser Tattoo Removal | 0 Comments

So, you’re thinking about booking a laser hair removal appointment. But first, you want the lowdown on what you need to know before having laser treatment to remove unwanted hair. This probably includes the question – is it necessary to shave before laser hair removal?

Shaving is important before you have laser hair removal treatment. But there are some steps you need to follow to get it right so that you see the best results from laser hair removal. 

The good news is that if you follow our advice, you will be able to see a permanent reduction in unwanted body hair or facial hair. But before we share where you should shave before laser hair removal treatment, first we need to explain how laser hair removal works and what preparation is key to its success. 

If you want to chat with our laser specialists about our laser hair removal treatments in person, contact our team via the link below. 

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Laser hair removal treatment – what you need to know

What is laser hair removal?

Does shaving or waxing cause your skin irritation and fail to provide you with long-term hair-free skin? You are not alone. We treat men and women who are struggling to get rid of unwanted hair on their face and body and help them enjoy smooth skin with the help of laser hair removal. 

Laser hair removal treatments are one of the most popular treatments in the UK. They use intense pulsed light (IPL) laser energy to target hair follicles and destroy them at the root. This helps to prevent any future hair growth from that treated hair follicle.  

We can use laser hair removal on the following treatment areas:

  •       Legs
  •       Bikini line
  •       Upper lips
  •       Face
  •       Arms
  •       Buttocks
  •       Abdomen
  •       Back

 

The benefits of laser hair removal treatment 

There are a number of reasons why so many people are ditching razors and waxing as a hair removal method in favour of laser hair treatment, including:

  1.     Use laser light energy to directly target and destroy hair follicles at the root
  2.     Permanent hair reduction in most areas of the body and face
  3.     Offers a long-term solution to hair-free skin. 
  4.     Remove ingrown hair that comes from shaving
  5.     Laser hair removal treatment can work on different skin tones
  6.     Less painful and time-consuming than other forms of hair removal 

What to expect during laser hair removal

During your laser hair removal session, we will use the laser device to send beams of highly concentrated laser light energy into the hair follicles. The light energy turns into heat, which damages the hair follicle and prevents any further hair growth from that follicle. 

Although laser hair removal reduces most hair growth, you can still see some hair growth in the treatment area. However, any hair that does grow will be much finer and lighter than before. 

The best time to have laser hair removal is when your hair is in the active growth phase or the first stage of hair growth. Your hair follicles can be in different growth stages at any one time. This is why you will need more than one laser hair removal session to target all your hair follicles. 

The exact number of laser hair removal treatments you will need also depends on factors such as your hair type, skin type and the size of your treatment area. Our laser treatment experts will talk you through this at your consultation and create a tailored treatment plan. 

 

When should I shave before laser hair removal?

As we mentioned earlier, shaving is an important step in prepping for your laser hair removal appointment. If you do not shave before your treatment, the hair will absorb the laser energy and can burn the hair and cause injuries to the skin’s surface. 

Timing is important when it comes to shaving before laser hair removal. We do not advise you to shave on the day of your treatment. This is because it can make your skin sensitive and prone to skin irritation. It may also leave cuts or wounds on your skin that can lead to adverse reactions from the laser. 

The best time to shave is the night before your laser hair removal session. This gives your skin time to settle. It also means that the laser can do its work and help you see amazing results. 

 

What should you not do before laser hair removal?

Now you have a clearer understanding of why you need to shave before having laser hair removal, you also need to know what not to do.

  •       Do not tan before or in between appointments 
  •       Avoid sun exposure to the area
  •       Do not wax or pluck before or in between treatments
  •       Do not bleach your hair
  •       Do not drink alcohol or smoke at least a day before your treatment

 

What should you do before laser hair removal?

Besides shaving the night before your treatment, here are a few other things you can do to make sure your skin is ready for laser treatment:

  •       Exfoliate the skin three days before your treatment 
  •       Cleanse your skin so that it is clean and ready for the laser
  •       Wear loose-fitting clothes when you come for treatment 
  •       Drink plenty of water before your treatment 

You also need to find a laser hair removal clinic that can treat different skin types and uses the latest technology. At Zapp Laser Studio, we use the Elite IQ Laser, which is one of the best laser devices on the market. We can also tailor the laser to your specific skin type and skin tone. That way everyone can see impressive results. 

 

Book a laser hair removal consultation 

If you are still undecided on whether laser hair removal is right for you, start by booking a consultation with one of our laser experts. 

At this appointment, we will walk you through the treatment and show you how the laser works. We will also assess your skin, hair type and treatment area to ensure you are suitable for laser treatment and design a treatment package that will deliver the results you want. 

BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT

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