Can you still wax your upper lip if you're getting laser hair removal?

Question

I am getting my upper lips area waxed every 2 weeks, is it ok to still get lazer ? as I heard there area chances that pours will become big around upperlips area ?

Reza Rod, MD · Answer

Laser Hair Removal uses a laser to emit a highly concentrated beam of light at a wavelength that is targeted at melanin (the material that gives color to our hair and skin) in the hair and/or at the hair follicle growth center, or hair bulb. The laser beam passes through the skin and is absorbed by the melanin in the hair follicle. The intense heat of the laser damages the hair follicle to inhibit future hair growth. The treatments are safe, quick, and effective for many skin types. The key to laser hair treatments is, well, hair!  If the laser doesn't come in contact with hair, it does nothing.  When you pluck or wax, you are pulling out the hair shaft from the follicle.   Although this gives the desired cosmetic look temporarily, it hinders laser hair removal.  When you shave, you create the ideal length of hair to be treated by the laser.
Because laser hair removal only affects actively growing hair follicles, it will take about five laser hair removal treatments to provide significant hair reduction. Additionally, while laser hair removal effectively slows hair growth, not all patients get permanent hair removal. Maintenance is required on most patients but the hair grows back softer and less dense.  Speak with the office of a board certified plastic surgeon to make sure you are getting the most our of your laser hair removal series.

Monika Soni, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. It is not recommended to wax or tweeze 3 weeks before laser hair removal treatment. This is because this removes the hair roots that is targeted by the laser. It is only recommended to shave before and between treatments. Best of Luck!

Kent Holtorf, MD · Answer

We generally tell our patients not to wax between treatments because it decreases the efficacy of the treatment.  Waxing removes the follicle and laser hair removal works by killing the hair follicle.  If you have no hair follicles then the treatment is pointless.

Emil A. Tanghetti, MD · Answer

Waxing before your laser hair removal treatments will generally decrease the effectiveness of your treatments. Laser hair removal works by targeting the pigment in the hair follicle and if you remove the hair completely there will be nothing to treat. Shaving would be a better method to use while you are receiving laser hair removal treatments.

Aurora DeJuliis, MD · Answer

Laser hair removal is done 4 to 6 weeks apart. You can certainly wax in between but never bleach the hair since the laser light goes after the hair color. If you wax in between make sure that before you have the next laser session your hair is visible above the skin otherwise the laser light will not work.

Can you still wax your upper lip if you're getting laser hair removal?

Answers (5)

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