How to prepare for laser hair removal treatments: shaving, skincare, sun exposure and more

In the ranking of the most frequently asked questions about laser hair removal treatments, this one consistently features among the top entries. This comes as no surprise, nor do the many searches on the topic of “shaving after laser hair removal between sessions”. After all, safety and security come first, and being well prepared reduces risks and brings greater peace of mind. Preparing for a laser hair removal course, which will leave you with smooth skin for years to come, is a serious undertaking. However, it is just as serious as the results you’ll achieve if you follow the necessary guidelines. As all our visitors agree – it’s absolutely worth it!

Apply sun cream with an SPF of at least 50 to the treated area every day throughout the entire course of hair removal. This way, together, we’ll protect the area from darkening and sunburn. If the skin darkens, even if we wait two weeks after your last laser hair removal session before sun exposure, we will be forced to use lower or safer settings. This is because we will be aiming to avoid skin damage, rather than increasing the pulse power at each subsequent visit, as recommended for maximum effect. This could compromise your results and mean that additional treatments are required.

Do not remove hair from the treatment area using wax or other hair-removal methods for at least 3 weeks before your first laser hair removal session. For the treatment to be effective, the hair must be attached to its root. The reason is that, as we’ve already mentioned, the laser light is absorbed by the melanin in the hair, is conducted down to the root, where it is converted into intense heat and destroys the follicle. If the hairs have been recently plucked, there is no root. And if there is no root, there is no effect. So forget about the tweezers!

It’s not just important to know whether you can shave after laser hair removal. You also need to know when to do it beforehand, so here’s our advice. Do this on the evening before your laser hair removal treatment, so that your skin isn’t still irritated from shaving just before the procedure. Shave the area carefully, because where there are longer hairs, there will be two unpleasant effects. The first is a stinging sensation caused by the hair on the skin’s surface being burnt. The second is the loss of some of the pulse’s energy along the length of the hair, rather than using it to destroy the root.

You can use a razor or a trimmer (or even small scissors for the facial areas), but under no circumstances should you use depilatory cream. It contains an acid that damages the skin and may cause a reaction with the laser. If you have used such a cream on the area we are going to treat in our laser centre, please wait at least 7 days before the procedure. And please do let us know so that we can take this into account.

On the day of your laser hair removal treatment, do not apply lotions or other cosmetics to the treated area. Every cosmetic product has a different composition, and sometimes its ingredients include acids, alcohol or other substances. These can cause an adverse reaction on the skin during or after laser hair removal. If you arrive with make-up on, we will waste time removing it. It is best to have a shower and come with completely clean skin.

This is beyond the capabilities of any hair removal method or device – the realistic outcome is a permanent reduction in hair growth of around 80–90%, provided the hair is suitable and the full course of treatment has been completed. In a study of a 755 nm alexandrite laser, such as ours GentleLase Pro, 87.9% of the patients monitored reported that the effect had lasted for an average of 11.5 years, provided that no sudden hormonal or health-related changes occurred during that time.

However, we cannot and must not be greedy – after all, that’s 8–9 out of every 10 hairs fewer for years to come! In reality, this means we’ve won the battle: we consider a course of laser hair removal successful if it leaves the skin visibly smooth. And don’t forget that we cannot treat transparent hairs and downy hair, nor white, age-related hairs. The reason for this is that they lack melanin, which is why you need to start your laser hair removal in good time.

Many of our clients are concerned about what might happen if fine hairs reappear years later – whether due to hormonal changes, medication or the body’s natural processes. Our Lifetime guarantee on laser hair removal It gives you peace of mind: there’s no need for a new package or one-off treatments. With it, you get entitlement to an unlimited number of maintenance procedures with a 25% discount and ongoing access to professional support on preferential terms, whenever and if you need it.

Although laser hair removal is the least painful method of permanent hair removal, don’t expect it to be completely pain-free. You may feel a slight prickling or stinging sensation. More sensitive clients report feeling a slight ache, but say it is nowhere near as painful as a colmaska. Please also bear in mind that some women experience heightened sensitivity around the time of their period or ovulation.

You already know everything about how to prepare for your treatments and about shaving after laser hair removal in the period between sessions. For best results, please arrange a detailed and completely free consultation with our specialists before starting a course of laser hair removal treatments. Please do not withhold any information from them regarding your hair removal needs. Please be sure to let us know if you are taking any regular medication or using any medical creams. Our team of medical experts will give you the best personalised advice on how to prepare and what to expect.