Many people are interested in how soon they can shave after laser hair removal. They may want to know if they can get away with shaving right after their treatment, or if they should wait a few days. It’s important to know that there are several factors that will affect how long you’ll have to wait before you can get rid of your unwanted hair.
The first thing you need to know is that lasers work by targeting the follicle at its base. This means that the laser will penetrate through the outer layers of skin and target the root of your hair. The result is that you won’t see results until all of your hairs have been treated and their roots have been destroyed. This can take several weeks depending on how much hair you have and how quickly it grows back in.
There are some cases where it may take even longer than normal for hair to grow back because some people’s bodies don’t respond well to laser treatments. If this happens, don’t worry—your skin will eventually heal and start producing new hair again. However, it might take longer than usual for these hairs to grow back out so be patient!
This post also summarizes how to speed up shedding after laser hair removal and how to remove dead hair after laser.
How Soon Can I Shave After Laser Hair Removal
Directly after your treatment you should have no need to shave the treated area. If a few days have passed you see unwanted hair, you are welcome to shave the area. Laser Hair Removal requires multiple sessions for the lasers to treat all your undesired hair. Hair grows in different cycles so not all hair will be affected by the laser during treatment.
You can shave as often as needed between treatments. For best results remember to shave the DAY BEFORE each treatment. The shorter the hair, the easier it is for the laser to find the hair follicle and sap it.
Consider Exfoliating Before Shaving
A few days after the laser hair treatment you will experience ‘shedding’ – this is a sure sign that the lasers did a good job.
The hairs falling off are those that were damaged by the treatment in the previous session – they are dead hairs.
With that in mind, we recommend that you exfoliate before shaving as it helps rid the treated area of damaged hairs.
While this is not a necessary step, it will allow you to shave more effectively.
Tips for Shaving After Treatment
Laser hair removal can leave you with a burning sensation on your skin. Shaving directly after treatment may make things even worse – a situation you don’t want.
The tips below will help you achieve the best results within a short period.
- Don’t shave too soon. Give the treated area enough time to heal. You will know that it has fully healed when it is no longer touch-sensitive or when irritation starts going away.
- Exfoliate after 4 or 5 days. Exfoliation helps rid the treated area of damaged hair. Allow the area enough time to heal fully. Also, note that not all patients experience skin sensitivity and irritation in the first few days, but that doesn’t mean that the treated area is healed.
- Track your shaving habits. Keep track of how often you need to shave between treatments, the less frequent the need to shave, the more effective the treatment is.
Shave at the Appropriate Time
Shaving too far away from your appointment or too soon after it are the 2 most common reasons why laser hair removal might not be as effective.
If you shave too far in advance then the hairs will be too long and the laser can’t hit the follicle as it should, while shaving too soon after your treatment can cause more irritation as your skin is still healing.
Speak to your therapist about the best way to stay on top of your maintenance and always consult a Doctor if you have any underlying health issues that may be triggered by the treatment and let your therapist know at your consultation before your course of treatment begins.
Can You Wax After Laser Hair Removal?
We recommend not waxing before or in between your treatments. Waxing removes all the hair so the laser will have nothing to sap and that could cause skin damage. Stick to shaving. And be patient with your results. After every session you should see less hair regrowth; and those that come through, should be thinner and lighter.
Does Laser Hair Removal Affect Tattoos?
Yes, it will affect your tattoo. The laser works by targeting the darker pigment of the hair over the color of the skin. Because of the ink from your tattoo, the laser won’t be able to determine what is hair and could end up damaging your skin instead. Burning and permanent skin damage could occur.
This kind of laser won’t help you remove your tattoo either.
If you still want to have laser hair removal in an area where you have a tattoo, a template could be created to cover the tattoo to protect the skin from the laser. The area around the tattoo could be treated, but you would need to shave or wax the tattooed area after.
Can You Have Sex After Having Laser Hair Removal?
If you have had your bikini area treated, you will probably not want to have sex soon after! It will be red and swollen down there for up to 24 hours and more susceptible to infection. We know it’s a bummer.
If you have had other areas of your body treated, you should still avoid any activity that may get you sweaty. We suggest you reach for the TV remote and binge watch a show instead.
And be patient with your recovery! It’s of course up to you and your partner when you resume intimacy. Just bear in mind that your experience will be more pleasant if you wait until you’re recovered.
Can I Workout After Laser Hair Removal?
Your pores will be open after treatment and very sensitive, so they are susceptible to infections. Avoid swimming pools, spas, oceans and lakes and the gym for at least 2-3 days. Don’t do anything that will build up a sweat. You need to keep your skin cool, and sweat contains bacteria which could lead to infections. Skip the workout and spend the time indoors relaxing instead.
Can I Shower After Laser Hair Removal?
As mentioned before, the laser has applied heat to your skin and opened up the hair follicles which will cause temporary redness and swelling. You should avoid showering until the next day and only have a short, lukewarm shower.
If you have ever suffered from sunburn, remember how it feels after you have showered? Before the shower you may have noticed some redness and heat coming from the damaged area. After the shower, it goes full-on oven hot and is extremely uncomfortable. That is why you need to avoid the shower after laser hair removal.
Can I Sunbathe After Laser Hair Removal?
Your skin will be very sensitive after treatment, and you should avoid the sun for at least 2 weeks. Wear a wide brimmed hat and long sleeves and don’t leave the house without a SPF sunscreen applied. Not following this rule could result in permanently damaged skin.
You should also avoid the sun BEFORE your treatment. Laser hair removal works best on contrast – so lighter skin and darker hair. If you have tanned skin, wait for it to fade before booking your treatment.
How To Speed Up Shedding After Laser Hair Removal
By gently exfoliating your skin a few times per week after laser hair removal, you can hasten the hair-shedding process.
This can help you get rid of any dead skin cells that may be clogging your pores and causing your hair to stay glued to your skin even after it has been pulled out of the follicle.
The exfoliating process can also offer pressure to hairs that are only just hanging on to their follicle and provide some gentle persuasion for it to let go.
Before you start exfoliating following laser hair removal, wait until you notice the first hairs starting to fall out. We advise you to try doing this while in the shower to speed up the process and get rid of all the unwanted hair on your body at once in a simple, controlled motion.
Also, you should only exfoliate your skin on a regular basis if you are certain that doing so won’t harm or irritate it. As a result, if your skin is particularly sensitive, you should exfoliate less frequently and use products designed for delicate skin.
How To Remove Dead Hair After Laser
The hair may start to fall out anywhere between 5 and 30 days after the therapy, and this may look like fresh hair growth. The dead hair is forcing its way out of the follicle, not new hair growth. You can help the hair fall out by cleansing with a washcloth or a Shobha® Exfoliating Cloth (sold at LH) & shaving.