Can I shave after laser and how soon will I effect results if I shave?

Question

I am getting laser hair removal and was told not to shave for 7 days. I had already shaved 2 days after laser, so I was worried I had effected my results. When looking online many say shaving anytime after is fine, another site really pushes waiting 10 days due to hair shedding, yet another place said wait 4 days only to avoid more trauma. Seriously, what is the real answer...are there studies that would make any of you agree...and how serious is the effect on the results???

Anna Avaliani, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. The real answer is that shaving is perfectly fine if your skin is not irritated after the laser treatment. Shaving when your skin is bympy or raised after the treatment may irritate your skin even more or cause skin cuts .  That is the only reason why shaving is not advisable after laser hair removal for a few days. If your skin is normal and not irritated at all, you can shave even the same day.  Shaving does not affect your results in any way and the laser affect the hair root and not the hair itself. Hope this relieves some of your anxiety :) . I always tell my patients to call/text/email with any questions they have after their treatments as it took me about 10 seconds to answer this question that probably took you a few hours of research. Hope this helps. Best, Dr.Avaliani

Monika Soni, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. In the six weeks leading up to your treatment, avoid plucking, waxing, bleaching, and electrolysis treatments. Plucking or pulling hair out by the roots means there won't be any hair for the laser to target. To manage hair growth before your treatment, shave or use depilatories that only remove the hair above the skin. Best of Luck!

Hardik Soni, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. In
the six weeks leading up to your treatment, avoid plucking, waxing, bleaching,
and electrolysis treatments. Plucking or
pulling hair out
by the roots means there won't be any hair for
the laser to
target. To manage hair growth
before your treatment, shave or
use depilatories that only remove the hair above
the skin. Best of Luck!

Fadi Nukta, MD · Answer

Shaving the hair prior to Laser Hair Removal Treatment is completely fine, you can shave the night before or the day of your treatment. Shaving post Laser Hair Removal is perfectly fine also, as long as the skin is not irritated. Therefore; shaving prior or post treatment doesn’t affect the outcome of the treatment.

Laurene DiPasquale, MD · Answer

Shaving after laser hair removal is fine!  It will not alter your results.  I always tell my patients that if their skin is a bit irritated to wait a few days before shaving.  While you are going through these treatments, you need to be comfortable!  If shaving makes you comfortable, that is fine!  Another option I give my patients is using a small scissor to cut the longer hairs.  Waxing, threading, and tweezing will affect your treatment.  Hope that helps!  Dr. D.

Can I shave after laser and how soon will I effect results if I shave?

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Can I shave after laser and how soon will I effect results if I shave?

Answers (10)

Answer: Laser Hair Removal - Shaving

Answer: Laser Hair Removal - Shaving

Answer: Shaving and Laser Hair Removal

Answer: Shaving and Laser Hair Removal

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