If you’re considering laser hair removal or just had your first session, you’re probably asking, “Can I shave after laser hair removal?” The short answer is yes, but there’s more to the story that will help you get the best results from your treatment.
What Happens Right After Your Laser Session
When laser hair removal is done properly, something pretty cool happens to your hair follicles. The laser targets the hair at the root, essentially “zapping” it, destroying it and disrupting its ability to grow. But here’s the thing – you won’t see immediate results like you would with waxing or shaving.
For the first couple of weeks after your treatment, you might notice what looks like hair growth. Don’t panic! This isn’t actually new hair growing. These are the treated hairs working their way out of your skin. Think of it like your body naturally shedding the damaged hair. This process is totally normal and means the laser is doing its job. It won’t look like normal growth either, they emerge slowly and even look a little crispy and burnt!
The Sweet Spot: Less Shaving for About a Month
Here’s where laser hair removal really shines. When your treatment is done correctly, you should find yourself reaching for your razor much less often. Many people notice they can go a month or even longer between shaving sessions during their laser hair removal journey.
Why does this happen? After those dead hairs shed (which takes about 2-3 weeks), your skin enters a relatively hair-free period. The hair follicles that were treated are taking a break, and it typically takes about 6 weeks from your last laser session for the next growth cycle to kick in.
What to Avoid
While shaving is okay, there are a few hair removal methods you should skip between laser sessions:
**Don’t wax or pluck.** These methods remove the hair from the root, which can interfere with your next laser treatment. The laser needs the hair follicle to be intact to work effectively.
**Avoid harsh scrubs** right after treatment when your skin is still recovering. Exfoliating after a few days is excellent for helping those dead stubble hairs to leave though!
Understanding Your Hair Growth Cycles
Hair doesn’t all grow at the same time – it goes through different cycles. This is why you need multiple laser sessions (usually 7-12 treatments) to catch all the hair in the right growth phase. Between sessions, you’ll notice periods where you barely need to shave, followed by times when more hair appears as the next cycle begins.
This is completely normal! It doesn’t mean the laser isn’t working. It just means you’re seeing a new batch of hair that wasn’t ready to be treated during your last session.
The Bottom Line
Laser hair removal is a game-changer for many people because it dramatically reduces how often you need to think about hair removal. When done properly, you should enjoy about a month of minimal hair growth between sessions. And yes, you can absolutely shave when needed – just be gentle with your skin and avoid other hair removal methods that pull hair from the root.
Remember, everyone’s hair is different, so your experience might vary slightly from what we’ve described here. The best thing you can do is follow your technician’s specific aftercare instructions and be patient with the process. Those smooth, hair-free results are worth the wait!
FAQ
Q: Can I shave immediately after laser hair removal?
A: Yes, you can shave after laser hair removal. Shaving is the only hair removal method recommended between sessions. However, be gentle with your skin, especially in the first few days after treatment when it’s still recovering. You will not have to shave much if the treatment is done correctly, there should be very little hair growth after the 2 week shedding period. You should be nearly hairless for several weeks between laser hair removal sessions. If oyu are shaving as normal between sessions, this means that the laser treatments was not successful. Contact your provider and ask for a touch up session.
Q: Why does hair still appear after laser hair removal treatment?
A: What looks like hair growth in the first two weeks after treatment isn’t actually new hair growing. These are the treated hairs your body is naturally shedding. The laser destroys the hair at the root, and these damaged hairs work their way out of your skin. They often look crispy or burnt and emerge slowly.
Q: How long can I go without shaving between laser hair removal sessions?
A: When treatment is done correctly, you should go about a month or longer between shaving sessions. After the treated hairs shed (around 2-3 weeks post-treatment), your skin enters a relatively hair-free period. It typically takes about 6 weeks from your last session for the next hair growth cycle to begin.
Q: What hair removal methods should I avoid between laser sessions?
A: Avoid waxing, plucking, threading, or any method that removes hair from the root. These methods interfere with your next laser treatment because the laser needs the hair follicle to be intact to work effectively. Also avoid harsh scrubs immediately after treatment while your skin is recovering.
Q: Why do I need multiple laser hair removal sessions?
A: Hair grows in different cycles, not all at the same time. Multiple sessions (usually on average 7-12 treatments) are needed to catch all the hair in the right growth phases. Between sessions, you’ll notice periods with minimal hair followed by times when more hair appears as the next cycle begins. This is completely normal and means the laser is working.
