Shaving Before Laser Hair Removal

You may have heard you need to shave before laser hair removal. It’s absolutely true, shaving before your treatment is the key to laser hair removal success. It’s the only way the laser can identify and reach the root of the hair, to inhibit new hair growth.

In this guide, we’ll explain why you need to shave before laser hair removal, and when’s the best time to do it. We also included some pre-laser tips to ensure you achieve a great shave, without irritation or cuts that may ruin your treatment experience.

Do You Have to Shave Before Laser Hair Removal?

Yes! Shaving before your laser hair removal treatment is a must.

Laser works because it gets absorbed by the melanin in the hair. Shaving cuts the hair at the surface, providing a clear path for the laser to target the root of the hair.

If you don’t shave, the laser will be ineffective. It’ll hone in on the hair only at the surface instead, without ever reaching the base of the follicle beneath the skin.

When To Shave Before Laser Hair Removal

Make sure to shave 24-48 hours before your laser hair removal appointment — no sooner, and no later.

“Shaving can cause micro-abrasions, so waiting 24 hours allows the skin barrier to recover,” Melisa Rios Romero, RN, Aesthetic Lead at SEV Laser, explains. This reduces stinging or burning during treatment and can also minimize post-laser bumps and redness.

As a result, SEV’s treatments typically feel more comfortable compared to med spas that shave on the day of appointments.

If your hair grows rapidly, shaving two days before your appointment might be too late, so use your best judgment when deciding exactly how to time your shave.

Pre-Laser Shaving Tips

Shaving correctly before laser hair removal is a must. You need a close shave if you want the laser to effectively treat each and every one of your follicles.

That said, you also want to keep it gentle, since it’s not safe to laser over cuts or irritated skin. Here are our tips for a better pre-treatment shave.

Lukewarm Water

Shaving with hot water is overrated. In reality, hot water can damage your skin barrier, increasing your risk of post-shave irritation. Instead, rinse or saturate the area you’ll be shaving with lukewarm water. It’ll still be warm enough to soften your hair for easier shaving, but not so warm it’ll dry you out.

Creamy Shaving Aid

Using a creamy shaving aid helps the razor glide effortlessly over your skin, without the friction that leads to razor burn. Shaving creams, mousses, and oils are often gentler than gels, especially if you’re shaving a more intimate area.

For clients with sensitive skin, Rios Romero recommends shaving oils: “They’re great if clients don’t like the thickness of shaving cream.”

Use a Sharp Razor

A sharp razor is a gentle razor. It cuts hair with less pulling and tugging, reducing the risk of shaving irritation. If you’ve been using the same razor for weeks, throw it away and replace it with a fresh one.

Shave With the Grain

While you do need a close shave before laser hair removal, it should never be at the cost of the health of your skin. Shaving with the grain means shaving in the same direction as hair growth, which, again, ensures less pulling and friction.

If shaving with the grain isn’t quite close enough, you can do a second pass against the grain to cut down the remaining stubble with a reduced risk of razor burn.

Hold Skin Taut

Holding the skin tight helps ensure a better shave in areas where the skin folds more. Use one hand to pull on the skin, so it’s flat and safe to shave.

Consider an Electric Shaver

If you’re prone to shaving irritation, especially on the face or bikini area, an electric shaver can be a great alternative to a plain razor. You’ll have the gentlest experience if you choose a water-resistant shaver that can be used alongside water and a shaving cream.

Moisturize After

Once you’re done shaving, don’t forget to moisturize. Even the gentlest shaving method can slightly disrupt your skin barrier, so a high-quality moisturizer will help reinforce your skin with protective lipids and hydrating humectants.

Avoid Acids and Exfoliants

There are many post and pre-shave products that contain exfoliating ingredients, especially ones advertised for treating ingrown hairs.

While these products are great to use while you’re shaving in general, they’re completely off-limits for one week before and after your laser treatment. That includes physical scrubs, as well as sprays, pads, or creams with exfoliating acids like glycolic or salicylic acid (also known as AHA and BHA, respectively).

Hair Removal Methods to Avoid Before Laser

Shaving is the only hair removal technique you can practice before getting lasered. All other methods are totally off-limits:

• Waxing and sugaring pull hair from the root, making laser treatment ineffective — if you’ve waxed recently, wait at least 4 weeks to get laser hair removal
• Epilating also pulls hair from the root, preventing treatment efficacy
• Depilatory creams like Nair can sensitize the skin and they may dissolve too much of the hair shaft
• Tweezing/threading also render laser treatments ineffective
• IPL, sometimes advertised as home laser hair removal, weakens the hair follicle instead of destroying it, reducing the efficacy of professional laser hair removal
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Bottom Line: Better Shave = Better Results

To summarize, shaving 24-48 hours before your laser hair removal treatment is absolutely a must, unless you’re getting a consultation or a touch-up. Shaving cuts the hair at the surface, allowing the laser to target the root of the hair and create lasting hair reduction.

Shaving correctly and at the right time is a must, as shaving too soon before treatment or too aggressively can lead to skin irritation. This can compromise your safety, and your provider may recommend you delay treatment.