A lot of men don’t realize that laser hair removal is an option for their beards. This transformative treatment is becoming increasingly more popular with men, especially for areas like the back, chest, or shoulders.

However, if you’re a guy who already shaves their face or neck, you should consider laser treatments for your beard. Laser hair removal works by stopping the hair growth process right at the root. It can create the most precise beard lineup and ensure complete smoothness without the risk of a 5 o’clock shadow.

In this post, we’ll cover everything men should know about laser beard hair removal. We’ll go over how the treatment works and how you can customize it based on your facial hair goals.

How Laser Technology Works 

Laser hair removal is a treatment for lasting hair reduction. It works by selectively targeting the bulb at the base of the hair with a focused beam of light.

Once absorbed by the hair, the light creates heat that inhibits hair follicle activity. In the days and weeks after a treatment, you might even experience noticeable shedding.

Over time and with regular treatments, there’s less and less hair growth. Since this is based on your individual hair growth cycle, the exact timeline to achieving total smoothness can be different from man to man. However, with consistent treatments every 4-6 weeks (and the occasional touch-up later on), you can achieve your desired level of smoothness for the long term.

What Does Laser Hair Removal for Beards Include?

Beard laser hair removal isn’t usually an official treatment, but a combination of a few treatments based on each client’s specific goals.

Men who would like to remove all beard hair will usually need to book a combination of full-face and front-of-neck laser hair removal.

Men who want to maintain their beard can get laser hair removal for the cheeks, neck, and jawline. This can create a very defined, well-outlined beard. With a great line-up, your beard will actually look fuller and your face shape more masculine.

Men who prefer a less defined look can still get neck laser treatments, to prevent a dreaded neckbeard or skin irritation from shaving.

Benefits of Laser Beard Shaping

As a man, here are the most important benefits of laser hair removal for your beard.

Lasting Results 

The greatest benefit of laser hair removal is the lasting results. Most men shave their face daily, or at least several times a week. Even bearded men usually shave their neck or cheeks to look groomed.

Laser hair removal can significantly cut down on your need to shave, and with repeat treatments, you might not need to shave at all ever again.

Reduces Ingrown Hairs and Razor Bumps

If you’re prone to ingrown hairs, razor burn, or razor bumps, laser hair removal is an incredible solution. By reducing growth from the root, it prevents ingrown hairs and it saves your skin from the irritation of shaving.

Cost-Effective

While individual laser hair removal treatments may seem pricey, the lasting results mean that it’s a very cost-effective treatment. Over a lifetime, you could save thousands of dollars by opting for laser hair removal over other methods.

Complete Smoothness

Laser hair removal progressively thins the hair by targeting the follicle, helping to reduce growth from the very root. If you don’t like the look of stubble or a 5 o’clock shadow, you’ll never have to worry about these again once you complete your laser treatments.

Treat a Patchy Beard 

Men with naturally patchy beards can undergo laser to even things out. Laser hair removal can help whether you simply want an even, smooth face, or to correct any asymmetry in your facial hair.

Customizable 

Different men have different goals and facial hair growth patterns. Thankfully, laser hair removal is extremely customizable, with a ton of different ways to combine treatment areas and adjust treatment areas for very precise results.

Expected Results and Maintenance

Because laser hair removal only impacts the hairs that are in the active growth stage, results are gradual and can be difficult to predict.

At the start, you can expect gradual hair reduction with every appointment. This reduction isn’t totally linear, though, and it may take several treatments to see very noticeable results.

You should also be aware of the impact your hormones can have on your results. The face and neck are particularly sensitive to male sex hormones, so they may need more treatments or touch-ups compared to less hormone-sensitive treatment areas.

Combining Treatments With Your Beard Care Routine

Whether you’re maintaining your beard or working to remove it completely, here’s how to combine your laser treatments with your pre-existing grooming habits:

  • Always shave 24-48 hours before getting laser hair removal.
  • After your treatment, avoid shaving again for at least 10 days.
  • Don’t use any other hair removal methods on your beard area while going through laser treatments.
  • Avoid using leave-in beard care products on the day of your laser hair removal appointment, and avoid using anything scented in the days after.
  • You can still style and groom your beard as normal!
  • Make sure to use sunscreen on your laser-treated area in the weeks before, after, and while undergoing treatment.

Aside from that, make sure to review your provider’s full list of aftercare and safety instructions.

Addressing Common Concerns for Bearded Clients

Laser hair removal is a powerful treatment, so it makes sense if you still have a few doubts. These are the common sticking points for our male clients interested in beard laser hair removal.

Side Effects and Risks

Normally, laser hair removal can leave the skin a little red or swollen immediately after the treatment. The irritation subsides quickly, and additional side effects are rare.

When carried out by an experienced provider and all customer care instructions are followed, additional risks are rare. However, choosing the wrong provider or failing to follow their guidelines could lead to adverse events such as burning, blistering, or hyper/hypopigmentation.

Uneven or Patchy Results

Laser hair removal is a gradual process, so you might notice some patchiness while you’re still undergoing treatment. For full beard removal, this is something you might have to endure.

As for the overall evenness of your beard outline, this comes down to the skill of your laser technician or nurse. At SEV, our nurses have the aesthetic experience needed to create a beard outline that’ll sharpen your features and create a more masculine look. For added peace of mind, we can use a white treatment pen to mark the area before lasering.

Lack of Stubble

The smooth, clean-shaven look is growing in popularity in North America, but some men might still miss their stubble after getting lasered.

If this is a cause for concern, consider only treating your neck or beard outline. You’ll be able to limit skin irritation from shaving while still preserving some masculine stubble.

Do you still have questions or doubts? Reach out to us at SEV Laser, and we’ll be happy to listen to your concerns and answer your questions.

Choose a Provider Experienced in Men’s Facial Hair

Ultimately, achieving great results comes down to the skills and technology of your provider. As a man, you need to work with a registered nurse or laser technician who understands men’s unique needs, especially when it comes to facial hair.

At SEV, our goal is to treat everyone, including men, to the best laser hair removal experience possible. We use state-of-the-art laser technology with targeted wavelengths to suit every skin tone and ensure an effective treatment for all.

Whether you want a more sculpted beard or no facial hair at all, our team members will help you reach that goal.

If you’re ready to work on that sharper beard line or clean, hair free look, go ahead and book an appointment at your nearest SEV.