Laser hair removal vs shaving – which should you choose? These two hair removal methods couldn’t be more different, but both are incredibly popular. In this post, we’ll compare them on a few key factors, to help you decide if you should shave at home or let the professionals laser your hair away.

  

Laser Hair Removal vs Shaving: How Do They Work? 

Before delving deep into the comparison, it’s important to understand how these two hair removal methods work. 

Laser hair removal is the more complicated of the two. The laser machine emits a powerful pulse of light. The light is attracted to the hair follicle. Once absorbed by it, it converts into heat that damages the hair follicle. 

Each laser hair removal session provides some hair reduction, and after a series of 6 to 12 sessions, the vast majority of the hair is either gone or reduced. 

Shaving, by comparison, is a lot less high-tech. In fact, ancient humans have been shaving for thousands of years! Shaving is the practice of using a sharp razor to cut the hair from the surface of the skin. 

 

Laser Hair Removal and Shaving Compared

These are the key factors to consider when trying to decide if laser hair removal or shaving will be best for you. 

The Process 

Laser hair removal can only be performed by registered nurses, specialized laser technicians, or physicians. It’s a professional medspa service that allows you to feel pampered and taken care of. 

Appointment length largely depends on the area that’s being treated – treating the legs only takes 15-25 minutes, while very small areas like the bikini line or upper lip take 5 minutes or less.  

For the laser hair removal to be effective, you actually have to shave prior to your appointment. By cutting the hair at the surface, the light from the laser can penetrate more effectively into the follicle. This means that you don’t have to let the hair grow out in between appointments. 

Shaving is usually something you do by yourself at home. This means that you’re responsible for preparing your skin and shaving correctly, to avoid cutting yourself or irritating the skin. 

Women usually choose to shave in the shower, where the steam can soften the hair. The amount of time it takes to shave really depends on your skill level as well as the area being shaved. 

Shaving some body parts, like the legs or underarms, is pretty easy but other areas can be hard to reach by yourself. 

Permanency

The most striking difference between laser hair removal and shaving is the final result. 

Laser hair removal is a permanent hair reduction method that effectively inhibits hair growth. While results can vary from person to person, most customers will experience significant hair reduction if not total smoothness. 

After you finish your series of treatments and achieve the results you want, you won’t have to worry about hair removal anymore beyond the occasional touch-up. 

Shaving, on the other hand, has no impact on the hair follicle. The hair will always grow back within a few days. This is why most people have to shave on a daily or near-daily basis.

 

Pain and Skin Irritation

Laser hair removal can sting a little bit. Modern machines are equipped with a cool shot that helps to calm the skin immediately after each pulse of light. Afterward, the skin can feel a little raw or irritated, but that usually goes away within a day or two. It’s a temporary discomfort, of course, since laser hair removal gives long-lasting results.  

Shaving isn’t supposed to hurt at all, but as anyone who’s ever shaved knows, accidents can happen. There’s always the risk that you may cut yourself, especially when shaving body parts that aren’t perfectly flat and smooth. Razor burn, a type of contact dermatitis, is also very common after shaving, especially if you’ve used a dull razor or if your skin was too dry. In the worst-case scenario, shaving can lead to razor bumps and ingrown hairs which can become painful if infected.  

Conclusion: Which Will Be Best for You?

When making the final decision between laser hair removal vs shaving, there is one main question to consider: Would you rather your hair disappear for the long term or are you happy to remove it by yourself on a regular basis?  If you ask us, the less work, the better. That’s why we think laser hair removal is the clear winner.

That said, there are a few other things to consider. Some people have a very easy time shaving! If you don’t mind the shaving process and your skin is hearty so you never experience side effects like razor bumps or irritation, perhaps you’ll be happy to keep on shaving for the rest of your life! 

However, if you find shaving to be an annoying chore or your skin is prone to razor burn and ingrown hairs, it’s better to give laser hair removal a try. Laser hair removal is the best long-term solution for unwanted hair growth, and it also helps prevent those annoying side effects from shaving. 

If you’re ready to let go of your razor and embrace permanent hair reduction, give laser hair removal a try! We have SEV Laser locations all over the United States, so go ahead and book your appointment.