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Laser Hair Removal
When to Stop Shaving Before Laser Hair Removal?
It is best to shave the day before or the day of your treatment. Use a fresh razor with shaving cream to avoid razor burn.
The reason timing matters is that the laser needs hair below the skin surface, not above it. A short stubble still has melanin in it, so the laser energy can travel down the shaft to the follicle where it does its work. If you shave too many days ahead, hair may regrow unevenly, and if you skip shaving, the longer hair on the surface can scatter energy, making treatment more uncomfortable and less effective. Shaving during your appointment can lead to cuts and razor irritation due to a dry shave, and is not recommended. If you notice unusual redness, bumps, or irritation after shaving, mention it before your session starts.
Clinical Context
The timing question really comes down to what's on the skin surface when the laser fires. Shaving the evening before or morning of your appointment leaves a short stub of hair in the follicle without any length sticking above the skin. That stubble still contains melanin, so energy can travel down the shaft to the follicle, where it's needed. Shave too early and regrowth may be uneven; skip shaving and surface hair can scatter energy, increasing discomfort and reducing effectiveness.
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