Everything you need to know before getting laser hair removal (2023)

FAQs

Is it OK to not shave before laser hair removal? ›

Many people also wonder if they should shave before their treatment. The short answer is yes, you should shave — but it's important that you don't wax for a week before your treatment. If the hair on your treatment area is too long, you could risk getting burned.

Avoid picking or scratching the treated skin. do not use any other hair removal methods or products, other than shaving, on the treated area during the course of your laser treatments, as it will prevent you from achieving the best results. Hair growth varies.

Yes, you can shave in between each session of laser hair removal. During your course of treatment you can shave any hairs that may regrow. After your first laser hair removal session you will notice that you won't need to shave as much as before. After 2-3 sessions you may only need to shave once in a 4-6 week period.

It is important to shave before your laser hair removal appointment, 24 hours before is recommended. Shaving on the day of your session can be dangerous and should be avoided completely. This is because when you shave the razor may lift a layer of skin off as it passes over your skin.

Skin must be clean and free of makeup, lotions, oils, deodorant, sunless tanning products, numbing cream, etc. Products on the skin can increase the likelihood of adverse reactions from the laser. Avoid physical activities that increase body temperature for at least 2 hours before treatments.

Shave the day before to give your skin time to relax, especially if you experience razor burn or rashes when shaving. You will also need to refrain from waxing or plucking hairs as these hair removal techniques will decrease the effectiveness of the laser. Avoid creams, lotions, and deodorants before your appointment.

Any treatment areas should be shaved completely prior to treatment. Legs should be shaved around 24 hours prior to your appointment to avoid irritation. Do not wax, tweeze, epilate or use chemical depilatories for two weeks before treatment, or at all in between laser treatments.

Therefore, if you shave less than 24 hours before your scheduled appointment then there won't be enough hair present to burn, and this can cause irritation to the treatment area.

You may need 12 treatments or more to completely eliminate hair growth. After that, the need for touchups should be minimal. Some people may require semiannual treatments at first. Others may find that they don't need a touchup for 5 years or longer.

How many hours after laser can I shower? ›

How long after laser hair removal can I shower? Ideally 24 hours, but if you must shower wait at least 6-8 hours after your session. Use tepid water and avoid using any harsh products, scrubs, exfoliating mitts, loofahs or sponges on your treatment area.

Indeed, even after your first laser hair removal session, you will see results. Unwanted body hair will start shedding after your first session and you will see the difference. Laser hair removal is superior to other hair removal methods in many ways.

Generally, clients need about two to six laser treatments in order to completely get rid of hair. You can expect to see about a 10% to 25% reduction in hair after your first treatment. As you continue your treatments, more and more hair will fall out, and you'll notice that it continues to grow back more slowly.

After your first Brazilian laser hair removal treatment, your groin area will feel a soreness similar to the one you feel after a decent workout. For the first hour or two after your treatment, you might notice redness and slight swelling, but it won't last long.

Make sure you don't shave immediately before your laser hair removal treatment, as this increases the odds for inflammation and swelling.

For most people, it's best to wait between four and eight weeks between each treatment, and we generally recommend six treatments for optimal results.

A "Brazilian" laser session typically removes all of the hair in the pubic region, the vulva, the perineum, and around the anus. If there is significant hair growth in the butt crack, or on the buttocks themselves, your healthcare provider may offer this area to be treated as well.

Can I have my treatment when I am menstruating? Yes - you can still have laser hair removal treatment while on your period. We advise you to wear a tampon or menstrual cup if you would like to have the Brazilian area treated.

Yes, laser removal does cause discomfort, but it typically causes much less discomfort than other forms of hair removal, especially waxing. Many individuals describe laser hair removal as akin to the feeling of a rubber band snapping against your skin.

If you shave too quickly you may irritate the skin even more, so waiting at least three or four days after your treatment is usually ideal. A few days following your laser hair removal treatment, you may notice your hair shedding. This is completely normal and is a sign the treatment worked.

Do I shower before or after laser? ›

It's the root of the hair the laser targets, so the root must be present for your treatment to work best. Take a shower right before your appointment and clean the treatment area, making sure to remove dirt and oil from the skin.

There is minimal pain during underarm laser hair removal. In fact, many patients are surprised when the process is over. The most common comparison we hear is that the laser feels like getting a rubber band lightly smacked against your skin.

Overall, it can take three to four sessions to achieve your desired armpit hair results, due to the stages of individual hair growth. Keep in mind that, while laser hair removal is marketed as “permanent,” you will likely need follow-up treatments in the future to maintain your smooth underarms.

There is at least one benefit of laser hair removal for you underarms that you may not have considered – the fact that it can resolve darker pigmentation in your underarms. This will ensure that your underarms aren't excessively darker than the skin on the rest of your body.

After Your First Treatment: You probably won't notice much difference after your first laser hair removal treatment at the London clinic. It takes some time for the effect on your hair to become visible and you will need more treatment sessions before re-growth starts to slow down.

“Tips are always appreciated but voluntary. A client will get the same service whether they tip or not. Because laser hair removal takes multiple sessions, Karavolas advises that tipping is typically done after each visit.

As we mentioned a little earlier, if you don't shave before your appointment, the laser will singe the hair resulting in a burn to your skin. In addition, if the hair hasn't been shaved properly, treatment will not be as effective, and it may result in small temporary grazes on the top layer of your skin.

Laser hair removal can actually remove ingrown hairs rather than simply alleviate the irritation that they cause. You can get laser hair removal even while you have ingrown hairs and the treatment will still be as effective and even lead to permanent hair removal after enough laser hair removal sessions.

As a general rule of thumb, the majority of patients need four to six sessions. Individuals rarely need more than eight. Most patients will see results after three to six visits. Additionally, treatments are spaced out about every six weeks since individual hairs grow in cycles.

Patients may notice more hair 1 – 3 weeks after laser hair removal sessions as follicles in the growing cycle begin to shed. During this process, exfoliating the skin, once swelling and redness have dissipated, can help hairs shed faster, leaving skin feeling smoother.

Why is laser hair removal every 4 weeks? ›

Given that only 85 per pent of hair follicles are in the anagen phase at any one time, and this is the most effective phase for laser hair removal, it is important to cycle your laser hair removal treatments every four to six weeks to ensure all hair follicles are treated over your treatment series.

Generally, 6-8 sessions are required to get your hair permanently removed. However, as Brazilian laser treatment for hair removal targets only a small area, a session usually takes 10-15 minutes.

While your skin recovers, avoid exfoliating, shaving, and plucking new hair, extreme workouts, or harsh massages on the treated area for the first five days post-treatment. We recommend avoiding steam rooms, hot tubs, and hot showers to protect your already sensitive skin from chlorination and sweating.

As your follicles shed the remaining hairs, you may notice some stubble in the treatment area. The best way to get rid of stubble and help your skin heal is to exfoliate following the instructions our team gives you after your facial laser treatment.

As a part of the immediate Lasik recovery process, you have to close your eyes for at least 2 to 4 hours after you have undergone the surgery. On average, Lasik treatment recovery time for some people may go from 1 week to 10 days while some others may take up to 6 weeks to get completely healed.

Do the hairs fall out right away? In many patients the skin is slightly pink for 1-2 days; in others (generally, fairer patients) there is no pinkness after laser hair removal. Hairs begin to fall out in 5-14 days and may continue to do so for weeks.

So, how many laser hair removal sessions are necessary to get rid of your unwanted hair for good? The answer depends on your individual needs, but most people can finish their initial treatment within 4-6 treatments. When the sessions are done, you will enjoy the numerous benefits of a life without unwanted hair.

Most people start to see their hair fall out three to five days after their laser hair removal session. The hair follicles in the targeted areas are damaged with each laser pulse. Once the hair follicles are damaged, they release the hairs they were growing, and they can't grow any more hairs.

Don't panic, and don't give up on your hair removal journey. If you miss a laser hair removal session, it's important to get back on schedule right away. The reason for this is because the hair that hasn't been treated during its growth cycle will return when it is in its growth phase.

When it comes to removing unwanted hair, laser treatment is the best method. It's a long-term solution that's far less painful than waxing. If you're prone to ingrown hairs, it's the only method you should choose, as it completely destroys the hair follicle.

What are the do's and don'ts before laser? ›

Ideally, you should shave the treatment area about 24 hours before your laser hair removal treatment. This will give the hair time to grow back a bit so that the laser can more easily target the hair follicle. If you are unable to shave before your appointment, don't worry – our staff will be able to do it for you.

Drink Water Before Your Session for Laser Hair Removal

It also helps stabilize your pain tolerance. Avoiding caffeine and alcohol is always a strong recommendation since both can lower your pain threshold by dehydrating your body. Be sure to drink water to flush your system of any caffeine or alcohol.

One Week After

During this time, you will notice some hair shedding. This is entirely normal and is a part of the natural cycle of hair loss and regrowth. This is why multiple treatment sessions timed while the hair follicles are at their active growth stage is highly recommended.

“Tips are always appreciated but voluntary. A client will get the same service whether they tip or not. Because laser hair removal takes multiple sessions, Karavolas advises that tipping is typically done after each visit.

In the six weeks leading up to your treatment, you should avoid tweezing, waxing or plucking any unwanted hairs. At least three weeks before and following treatment, you should use extra sun protection or even avoid the sun. Doing so prepares your skin for the procedure and protects it as it heals.