Shaving before laser hair removal optional or mandatory. Do I really need to shave before laser hair removal

1. Shaving before Laser Hair Removal -
Optional or Mandatory?
Laser hair removal is the process of
using a laser remove hair. It is a
medical procedure that targets the hair
follicles, essentially damaging them, to
prevent or delay further hair growth.
With so many options for hair removal
– from waxing and threading to shaving
and sugaring – it is important to read up
before committing to a hair removal
routine. Laser hair removal does have
an added benefit over these other
methods of hair removal: it is markedly
more permanent. Its long-lasting effects
however come only with repeated
sessions.

2. Often, it can take up to eight to ten laser
hair removal appointments with the
Bareskin device and a handful of weeks
to obtain the full result though some are
visible after just two sessions.
Maintenance treatments may be
necessary to have consistent results and
results, of course, are not standard
among all people.
Is There an Ideal Laser Hair
Removal Candidate?

3. Laser hair removal can be used nearly
anywhere on the body with the
exception of the area around the eyes.
As with most medical treatments, its
efficacy can change from person to
person. In other words, the results of
laser hair removal can be dependent
upon hair type and color, and skin type
and color.
Laser hair removal therefore does not
always make sense on other facial
areas, aside from those around the eyes,
like the upper lip as the hair can
sometimes be too fine or too light. Hair
of this type and color are not always
detected by the laser.
This is because the concentrated beam
of light targets hair whose pigment
absorbs the laser light and converts it to

4. heat, which destroys the hair follicle.
As the laser is absorbed by the hair
pigment, the skin beneath and around
should remain unaffected. The best
results tend to occur in those with a
more drastic hair to skin color contrast,
like dark hair and light skin, and those
with darker hair in general.
Preparatory Practice: But Do I Have
to Shave Beforehand?
As has been previously mentioned,
laser hair removal is a bona fide

5. medical treatment, which means you
should not only ensure that the device
you are using works well but also
certified and/or licensed, you should
also ensure to prepare properly. One
common pre-laser hair removal
question is ‘must I shave beforehand?’
The answer from the professional
performing your treatment should be a
resounding ‘yes’.
When to Shave and Why
It is advisable to shave the area to be
treated the day before you make use the
machine. This shave should be
performed with a clean and sharp razor
to prevent any bacterial residue and
possible infection after the
appointment.
Ideally, you should use a brand-new
razor in conjunction with a well

6. lathering and hydrating shave cream.
Afterwards, gently wash/clean the skin
to further erase any trace of bacteria,
soap, lotion or deodorants from the
skin’s surface and from the skin shaft.
This shave should be done within the
timeframe of 24 hours before treatment
– enough time for the skin to recover
from any immediate post-shave
irritation yet not so much time that the
skin has an opportunity to grow back.
The skin should be without stubble,
indicating that the hair is not above the
follicle. If the hair is too long, your risk
of being burned or pigmented is greater
and the pain you may feel is increased.
Being clean shaven will make the entire
laser hair removal process easier to
perform and less harmful to experience
for you as the laser will be able to

7. locate the pigment in the hair follicle
without any issues. If you are still
worried about possible pain, you could
take a pain reliever shortly before your
appointment.
Can I Wax Instead?
To recap, laser hair removal works by
targeting hair at the follicle level to
disrupt it and prevent or delay further
hair growth. When you shave, you
essentially just trim the hair while

8. leaving the follicle intact in the skin,
ready for the laser to do its hair removal
magic. When you wax, you are
removing the hair from tip to the root
right out of its follicle.
This leaves the laser without a target;
there is no longer any pigment for the
laser to hit. It is advisable to wait at
least a month, and ideally six weeks or
more, before your last wax before going
in for a laser hair removal.
Still do make sure to shave within the
day before your appointment. As they
work under similar principles of
yanking from the follicular level,
tweezing/plucking and epilating should
also be avoided in the weeks leading up
to your laser hair removal appointment.
What if I Forget?

9. If you forget to shave, you may want
perform the procedure at another time.
If the hair is above the skin, above the
follicle, the risk of burn to your skin is
raised. Your health, safety and comfort
trump going through with the laser hair
removal appointment.
If you do decide to continue with the
laser hair removal, it is possible that the
hair follicle will not be targeted – or not
as well as it could have been – and only
the hair above will be removed. This is
because the pigment in the hair above
the skin can absorb the laser in place of
the pigment in the hair follicle.
This can sometimes be accompanied by
the smell of burnt hair, which is never
pleasant. Between pain and a possibly
pungent smell, it is not worth it to skip

10. out on shaving before your laser hair
removal appointment. In the hustle and
bustle of life, set a reminder to shave
the day before you perform the
procedure. Your skin will certainly
thank you for it.
Original article can be found at -
https://www.bareskin.co.za/blogs/news/
shaving-before-laser-hair-removal-
optional-or-mandatory