If I shaved my upper lip before IPL, do I need to shave it between treatments? Or will the hair fall out?

Question

At the salon they shaved my upper lip before the session and now (day after treatment) im starting to feel "stubble" (but im super detailist and observe myself every second :D). I dont want to shave between sessions. it seems weird for me and i just dont want to do it. Is it okay? Will the hair fall out? Or will it feel like stuble for a long time? If the hair wasnt in anagen phase will it fall out too?

Martie Gidon, MD, FRCPC, FAAD · Answer

It is important to shave before your laser hair removal treatment so that the laser energy is absorbed by the pigmented hair in the follicle.  A day or two after the treatment, some hairs may start to pop out and it seems as though the hair is already regrowing.  These hairs will fall out.  You can shave or cut the hair in between sessions but do not tweeze, wax or thread.

Mark Taylor, MD · Answer

Shaving the hair the day before IPL treatment used for hair removal make the treatment easier.   Short stubble is ok, but longer hairs become a problem and get in the way of IPL hair removal.  Multiple treatments are necessary to remove all of the hairs in different stages of growth.  Shaving the hairs has no adverse effect.

If I shaved my upper lip before IPL, do I need to shave it between treatments? Or will the hair fall out?

Answers (2)