Can I use a little electric shaver (specifically for your face) a day before lip and chin laser hair removal?

Question

Nikesh K. Patel, MD · Answer

Before a laser hair removal treatment you can shave or use an electric shaver as long as your hair grows fast enough for there to be stubble/visible hair follicles in time for your treatment.  Shaving the night prior to a treatment may not allow the hair to grow in enough for a tech to see hair follicles/determine where the lasers need to focus and if this is the case, shaving two days prior to a treatment may be more suitable.  For someone with darker/thicker hair which tends to come in quicker and has more visible follicles, shaving the night before a treatment may be ok.  As always, your doctor or technician is the best source for advice since they have examined you and are going to be treating you.

Thomas Wright, MD · Answer

Yes, you are able to use any type of razor before Laser Hair Removal treatments. You can not wax, pluck or tweeze before treatment, because that removes the root of the follicle.

Jeffrey B. Wise, MD, FACS · Answer

Yes, shaving is fine before laser hair removal. The only precaution is to be careful not to irritate or injure the treatment area. This goes with using any topical irritants as well. Best of luck!

Laura A. Katz, MD · Answer

Yes, you can use an electric shaver the day before.  At Monroe Comprehensive Laser Center in Monroe, Mi, we recommend that the pt refrain from any plucking, electrolysis or waxing for several weeks before their treatments.  These procedures remove hair at the root and leave nothing for the laser to "see " during treatment.  However, shaving with an electric shavor would break off the hair at the skin surface and leave pigment behind for the laser to target.  It is best to shave before your procedure at what interval would leave you with a minute amount of stubble at the skin surface.  This will give you the best results.  Good luck!

Shelley Shepard, MD · Answer

Yes you can shave the day before Laser hair removal. It is a good idea to shave before a procedure, so the laser can pick up the pigment in the hair follicle, and not in the hair shaft.

Yetunde Sannoh, MD · Answer

Yes you can. Avoid plucking , waxing or depilatories shortly before laser hair removal . Shaving with an electric or manual razor is fine. Some electric hair removers work by actually plucking the hair, so ensure the one you use only cuts the hair at the shaft.

Emil A. Tanghetti, MD · Answer

By shaving the areas you will have treated, you are doing exactly what I would recommend to my patients. We advise to shave the area prior to treatment. I would just suggest avoiding plucking or waxing hairs in that area to achieve the best treatment results.

Jean M. Casello, MD · Answer

Yes it is okay to use your electric shaver before getting laser hair removal.  I would suggest that you use it 2-3 days before your treatment so that the skin is not irritated and there is some stubble.  Having some stubble present allows the operator to see where the hairs are the thickest in order to focus the treatment.  Do not pluck or wax the area prior to your treatment as this pulls the hair out of the hair follicle.There needs to be hair in the hair follicle in order for the treatment to be effective.

Steven F. Weiner, MD · Answer

This is a good option. It is best to remove hair prior to laser hair removal. If it is not shaven, the laser will attack the visible hair and not the hair which is deep in the hair follicle. Shaving is probably better but waxing or plucking is not a good idea because it removes the hair deep in the follicle.

Can I use a little electric shaver (specifically for your face) a day before lip and chin laser hair removal?

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