I can feel hair on my face next day after my first session of laser hair removal. Should I shave in-between sessions?

Question

I had my first Face laser session. I was asked to come back in a week for second session. Also, she trimmed the facial hair instead of shaving. I can feel the hair on my face as it is. Should I expect hair fall out or the sessions wasn't done properly. I have dark black hair and fair skin. Should I shave to remove the hair in between my sessions. Help Please!!

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Yes, you can shave the hair before your next treatment. Keep in mind it will take a series of treatments for improvement. Additional sessions may be needed for maintenance. I recommend seeing a laser hair removal expert for a formal evaluation. Best, Dr. Emer

Adaeze Okeke, MD · Answer

It is normal to have hair on your face the day after you have a laser treatment, it may take up to a week for the hair to fall out. Laser hair removal works by targeting the pigment in the growing hair follicle beneath the skin, not the hair itself. Only a fraction of hairs are growing at anytime, which is why you will need multiple treatments for permanent hair reduction. Think of it as a gradual thinning process. Before each treatment we prefer that there not be any hair present, it can be cut very close or preferably shaved. We ask that you only shave in between treatments and not pluck or wax as these remove the hair follicle.

Hardik Soni, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Laser hair removal is done in a series of 6-8 treatments 4-6 weeks apart for the face. This is because not all your hair follicles are in the same growth cycle. Shaving between treatments will not affect your laser treatments. You should not wax or tweeze between treatments as it will remove the hair follicle the laser targets.

Michele S. Green, MD · Answer

It will take a series of treatments to see improvement. It is completely okay to shave in between your laser hair removal treatments. Also, you have to shave within 24 hours of your laser treatment.  Please see a board certified physician who specializes in laser hair removal for the best cosmetic results. Best, Dr. Green

Tianna Tsitsis, MD · Answer

Laser Hair Removal targets hair that is in its growing phase, not the hair that is already grown out that you can feel.  The hair you can feel will be pushed out over the next 7-10 days after a treatment session.  It may even seem like MORE hair is growing, but that is not the case  (those are the old hairs just being pushed out).  You certainly can shave between sessions and actually should shave within 24 hours prior to the treatment being performed.  You will need anywhere from 4-10 treatments for the hair to be completely gone (it depends on the quality of the laser/IPL being used).  Treatments are typically done every 2-4 weeks, certainly not every week.  Then you need to make sure you are doing maintenance treatments every 6-12 months to keep it gone.

Steven F. Weiner, MD · Answer

It is best to shave the hair right before the treatment (same day). This will allow for the maximum heat to penetrate the hair follicle. Don't expect hair to fall out immediately. It is a slow process and takes up to 10 treatments on the face. Every week treatment is not traditional but I do every 2 weeks on the face. Shaving will not change the hair growth or diameter of the hair.

Mark A. Blair, MD · Answer

Hello, thank you for your question. Laser hair reduction is a series of treatments, usually 6-8 treatments done between 4-8 weeks apart depending on the area being treated.  Usually for the face, it will be done every 4 weeks, due to the growth rate being more rapid on the face than say your arms or legs.  Only a small percentage of your total hair follicles are in the "growth" cycle at any one time. The follicles that are currently in the growth cycle during the time of treatment, will be effected, but there will be other follicles that will eventually get into the "growth" cycle.  You may shave between treatments, and this will not have any effect on the removal process. You should avoid waxing or plucking as these will actually disrupt the growth cycle of the hair.Good Luck!

Douglas Halliday, PhD, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

A few things to consider:

Hair should always be shaved BEFORE a treatment, not just "trimmed".  Otherwise, the laser energy goes to the hair on the surface instead of the follicle and then you're wasting your $.

The hair "cycle" on your face is typically every 4-6 weeks.  Therefore treatments sooner than 4 weeks apart is also a waste of your $.

I would seek a second opinion at a physician directed clinic with multiple wavelengths of lasers and compare what you learn with what you're currently experiencing before you make up your mind on how to proceed.

Best of luck, Doc Halliday

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