Yes, you should shave before laser hair removal. Although there’s no strict timeline, removing as much surface hair as possible ensures a smoother and effective treatment. At Milan, we advise clients to arrive without surface hair but also without skin irritation.

The reason for this is because melanin within the hair follicle is the target of the laser. When your hair is shaved, the energy behind the laser is able to fully target below the skin, and treatment of an unshaven hair will hamper the ability of the laser to penetrate the skin.

The importance of shaving before a treatment session will be conveyed by your laser hair removal professional during your consultation along with other helpful tips and tricks to make your laser hair removal experience as smooth as possible. This includes recommendations for the day before treatment and the days after treatment to keep your results on track.

Importance of Shaving Before Laser Hair Removal

The emphasis on shaving before any of your laser hair removal appointments is for good reason. You want your laser sessions to take place with no issue or potential skin reactions.

“The importance of it is, of course, we want to remove any surface hair,” said Milan Clinical Support Nurse Lasha M. “That way the laser is targeting the hair follicle. They’re going to get better results. And additionally, if they have surface hair, the heat from the laser is going to be absorbed by that surface hair, which can possibly cause the top layer of the skin to absorb the heat instead of the hair follicle.” 

Here are three important points to keep in mind.

• Targeting the Follicle - Laser technology targets the pigment (melanin) within the hair follicle. Shaving removes the hair shaft above the skin's surface, leaving the follicle intact for optimal laser penetration to reduce future hair growth.
• Reduced Risk of Irritation - Longer hair absorbs more laser energy, potentially increasing the risk of burns. Shaving produces clean skin and minimizes this risk by eliminating the hair shaft prior to laser hair treatment.
• Precise Treatment - A smooth, shaved surface allows the laser technician to precisely target the treatment area with a concentrated beam of light, ensuring consistent and effective results to remove unwanted hair.

Alternative Pre-Treatment Hair Removal

For some, shaving isn’t the most effective method to erase the shaft of the hair prior to laser hair removal treatment. This might be related to discomfort with a razor, some clients might have thicker hair, or it could be the literal and physical pain that comes with shaving side effects like razor burn, cuts, razor bumps, or general skin irritation.

Clients can use whatever method they prefer to remove surface hair like traditional shaving, using clippers, trimmers or electric razors. Each method is safe; just make sure not to remove the follicle or disrupt it. That’s what’s needed for effective laser hair removal treatment.

As should always be the case, if you have any concerns about shaving before your laser treatment, discuss them with your laser hair removal professional.

What to Avoid

While smart alternatives to shaving do exist, some methods of hair removal should be avoided prior to laser hair removal. These include:

• Waxing or Plucking: These methods remove the hair follicle from the root, making it inaccessible for laser treatment. Avoid waxing or plucking for at least two to four weeks before your appointment.
• Harsh Chemical Hair Removal Creams: These depilatory creams can irritate the skin and compromise laser treatment effectiveness. Opt for shaving instead if possible.