If I don't want to shave peach fuzz hair on my cheeks for laser hair removal session, is it pointless to do LHR on cheeks then?

Question

I want lip only but Doc has set price all face,so thinkin to get all face. Skin:White/slight olive tone/black hair.Side of face, visible thin black hair& on cheeks peach fuzz hair as if blonde.OK to shave upper lip, etc before laser, but never shaven cheeks before,so ofcourse prefer not to cuz worry stimulate growth * If I want all face done do have to shave for laser be effective? * If don't shave is laser harm to skin,cuz hair cause burn? * If my fuzz infact blonde,wil laser not get it anyway?

Douglas M. Senderoff, MD, FACS · Answer

The reason hair has to be shaven before laser hair removal is the laser is attracted to the pigment of the hair.  If there is hair above the skin not only are you at a higher risk for a burn on the surface of the skin, the laser will not penetrate below the skin to kill the follice.  If the laser does not reach the hair follicle you will not have a successful result.  Also, if the hairs are very thin and don't have much pigment the laser treatments will not be effective.

Mark A. Blair, MD · Answer

Hello,  First and foremost, the hair being treated must have pigment in it in order for the laser to see the follicle and destroy it.  Laser hair removal will not be effective for the white vellus hairs on your cheeks. (peach fuzz) Shaving your face will not make the hair grow back darker and thinker.  The purpose of shaving the hair prior to treatment is so that the heat is absorbed deep into the root of the follicle in order to destroy the follicle.  When the follicles are long, energy is wasted on the length of the follicle and also can cause smoke in the room.  Good Luck!

If I don't want to shave peach fuzz hair on my cheeks for laser hair removal session, is it pointless to do LHR on cheeks then?

Answers (2)