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When to Stop Shaving Before Laser Hair Removal?

M
meusAug 28, 2009

How close to a Laser Hair Removal treatment should I shave? I am thinking about just letting them shave me right before the laser--will this affect the laser's efficacy?

Answers (29)

From board-certified doctors and trusted medical professionals
Dr. Alan N. Larsen, MD
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Dr. Alan N. Larsen, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
4.7 | 93 Reviews
Answered on Mar 5, 2017
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Dr. Anil R. Shah, MD
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Dr. Anil R. Shah, MD
Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.6 | 374 Reviews
Answered on Oct 24, 2016
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Dr. Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS
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Dr. Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
4.9 | 143 Reviews
Answered on Jun 23, 2016
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Dr. Steven H. Williams, MD
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Dr. Steven H. Williams, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
4.6 | 79 Reviews
Answered on Jan 26, 2016
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Dr. Kimberly Butterwick, MD
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Dr. Kimberly Butterwick, MD
Dermatologic Surgeon, Board Certified in Dermatology
5.0 | 27 Reviews
Answered on Jun 1, 2016
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Dr. Michael Constantin Gartner, DO
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Dr. Michael Constantin Gartner, DO
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
4.6 | 248 Reviews
Answered on Feb 17, 2015
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Dr. Gregory A. Wiener, MD, FACS
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Dr. Gregory A. Wiener, MD, FACS
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
4.6 | 123 Reviews
Answered on Feb 26, 2015
Answer
Dr. Gregory Turowski, MD, PhD, FACS
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Dr. Gregory Turowski, MD, PhD, FACS
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
4.3 | 124 Reviews
Answered on Mar 24, 2014
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Dr. Jayanthy Ravindran, MS, DNB, MRCS
Dr. Jayanthy Ravindran, MS, DNB, MRCS
Plastic Surgeon
Answered on Feb 18, 2021
Answer
Dr. Robert W. Sheffield, MD
Dr. Robert W. Sheffield, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Answered on Oct 29, 2020
Answer

More Laser Hair Removal Questions

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Michael Constantin Gartner, DO

You should wait until you see the hair growing, which would be about 3 weeks or so (although this can vary depending on the person). 

+3 answers
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Jerome Edelstein, MD

Laser hair removal does not require you to be put to sleep. The most you'll require is numbing cream to alleviate any discomfort, although this isn't necessary either depending on your sensitivity.The cost of each session is based on area targeted. 

+2 answers
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Michael Kulick, MD, DDS

Doctors and companies are doing research "TRYING" to cause hair growth using a laser. There are some devices that are out there but the results are not at the level of expectations of most patients regarding new hair growth. So, if you get hair growth, that would be reportable and the...

+3 answers
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Michael Kulick, MD, DDS

As you may know by now, the best situation for hair removal is with dark hair and light skin. There are papers that describe improvements in your situation but not all offices have been able to reproduce these results. If the hair can grow long enough for you to wax, then you may be able to...

+9 answers
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