When can I wax and pluck after laser hair removal treatment?

Question

After what time can a person wax, tweeze, pluck or use creams if they used laser hair remover only once or had number of treatment, but do not plan to do any treatment in upcoming year ?  Does the same time apply to clinic and in home treatments machine? Thank you.

Anil R. Shah, MD · Answer

In general, if you are in the middle of laser hair removal, avoid waxing if you can for 3 weeks after your procedure.  Since most patients get treated every 4-8 weeks, it is often best to avoid waxing altogether and shave.  Patients who continue with laser hair removal often have less hair at each visit making the need to wax or shave less.

Steven H. Williams, MD · Answer

You should avoid anything irritating to the skin the first few days after treatment. Once the hairs have grown out after the first week you make use any hair removal method if you are not planning to have a laser hair removal treatment within another 4 weeks.

Ron Shelton, MD · Answer

By the time hair regrows to above the surface lending itself to be plucked or waxed, enough time in days has passed from the laser hair removal that it should be fine to be plucked or waxed. Waiting a full month is certainly very safe. As you are indicating that you will not be retreating the areas with laser hair removal, then it's OK for you to pluck or wax. If you were to resume laser hair removal, you do not want to wax or pluck the hairs within two weeks of treatment because that will remove the target that the laser needs to absorb the energy.

Monika Soni, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. I do not advise to wax or tweeze before, after or in between treatments. This is because you are removing the roots that are targeted by the laser. Therefore, I only recommend shaving between treatments. Best of Luck!

Kent Holtorf, MD · Answer

Typically, we tell our patients to wait 10 days before plucking an area treated because that is about how long it take for the dead follicle to fall out.  You don't want to pluck those or you could cause damage to the skin.  Shaving after a day or two is usually fine, as long as your skin doesn't seem red or irritated.  If you have irritation after shaving or waxing I suggest stopping and reaching out to your provider.

Michele S. Green, MD · Answer

I would not advise you to wax or pluck after laser hair removal.  However, if you have decided not to continue with your laser hair removal for the time being then you can definitely go ahead and use any method to remove hair in the interim.  If you have been doing laser hair removal I am puzzled why you wouldn't want to finish your treatments.  Best, Dr. Green

Hardik Soni, MD · Answer

You should avoid anything that will irritate the skin for 7 days after laser hair removal. Once the hairs have grown out you can use any hair removal method you like.

Michael Law, MD · Answer

I would advise against waxing EVER.  The only exception would be if you have your own wax pot that is never used by anyone else.  Even still waxing rips the hair out by the root which can lead to ingrown hair, while laser can actually eliminate ingrown hair.

Martie Gidon, MD, FRCPC, FAAD · Answer

As long as you do not plan on more laser hair removal treatments, you can use any method of hair removal as soon as you have hair growth. If you plan on another laser treatment, avoid hair removal for 6 weeks prior to your laser treatment. Shaving is permitted.

Bruce E. Katz, MD · Answer

Typically after your laser hair removal treatment it takes about two weeks for those disable hairs to push through. You can then go back to those other methods since you are not doing any laser hair removal treatments for at least a year. Once you decide to start your laser hair removal treatments again, stop all of those methods at least two weeks prior to your laser.

When can I wax and pluck after laser hair removal treatment?

Answers (14)