Are there some machines that you don't need to shave before getting Laser Hair Removal?

Question

I just went to get laser treatment and the lady said I didn't have to shave before getting lasered because of the machine she uses.....is it true that some machines you don't need to shave before getting lasered

Michael A. Zadeh, MD, FACS · Answer

You will need to shave before laser hair removal no matter what device is used. Not shaving increases pain during treatment and risk of burning. Make sure you are being treated by an experienced provider. Best wishes.

Hardik Soni, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. You must shave before laser hair removal treatment. If you do not shave, the hair on the skin will absorb the heat and will not travel to the hair follicle. Also, not shaving can cause pain and increases the risk of burning. However during treatment you should stop tweezing and waxing as this disrupts the hair growth cycle. I recommend having a consultation with expert.

Michele S. Green, MD · Answer

You will need to shave before each laser hair session no matter which laser is being used. If you laser the area without shaving, the laser energy will go to the hair and not the follicle. This will make the procedure inneffective. Please make sure you are being treated by a board certified physician. Best, Dr. Green

Mark A. Blair, MD · Answer

Hello, thank you for your question.  It is necessary to shave prior to a LHR session.  You don't want to waste the laser's energy traveling the length of the follicle when the hair is left unshaven.  This can also make it more uncomfortable because of the heat, and plume of smoke from the follicle.  You will want to stop waxing or plucking the hair follicles as this actually disrupts the growth cycle.Good Luck!

Steven F. Weiner, MD · Answer

It doesn't matter what machine is used, shaving is necessary. The science of hair removal is that the color of the hair absorbs the light from the laser and heats up the hair. If there is any hair that is not shaved, the hair on the surface with absorb the heat and little if any will travel down the shaft into the hair follicle. It is the deeper heat that is needed to cause injury to the hair germinal centers and stop hair growth.

Douglas Halliday, PhD, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

There's no effective laser treatment that we know of that would give you good results without shaving.  The reason you shave immediately before a laser treatment is that the laser's energy is directed and attracted to your hair follicle/ root instead of the hair above the surface of your skin.  Without shaving, the laser would only target the hair above the skin and you'd not only be wasting your money, but your time as well.

You also need to ensure that the correct wavelength of laser is being used for the skin type.  Choose an experienced doctor supervised center.  With the appropriate laser and an experienced technician, most people require 6-8 treatments with appropriate spacing between treatments.  Best of luck, Doc Halliday

Are there some machines that you don't need to shave before getting Laser Hair Removal?

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