Do you have to clean shave before IPL?

Author: Mafalda Schimmel  |  Last update: Thursday, December 11, 2025

Shaving before your IPL hair removal treatment helps the light beam to focus in on the hair root. When using IPL, you'll need to shave less and less as your treatments go on. As the hair follicles will be empty, you'll notice fewer ingrown hairs and less stubble 'shadow'.

What happens if I don't shave before an IPL?

If you don't shave first, it mostly just burns the surface hair and doesn't get the root (also it will smell like burning hair). And if you wax, tweeze or epilate instead of shave it pulls the hair out by the root, so there's nothing for the laser to target and it won't work.

How do I prepare my skin for IPL hair removal?

5 Ways to Prep Your Skin for Laser Hair Removal
  1. Exfoliate Before Your Appointment. ...
  2. Stop Removing Hair 2 to 4 Weeks Before. ...
  3. Avoid Sun Exposure. ...
  4. Stop Retinoids Beforehand. ...
  5. Arrive Makeup or Lotion-Free. ...
  6. Top-Rated Laser Hair Removal in Southern California.

Can you IPL your pubic hair?

Answer: IPL Permanent Hair Removal works well in the bikini area. Provided your skin is not too dark, IPL treatments work well for achieving 75-90% permanent hair reduction in the bikini area. Bikini hair tends to be thick, dark and fast growing making this area particularly well suited for treatment.

What happens if you don't shave before laser hair removal?

Quite simply the hair will absorb the energy that was meant to penetrate under the skin in the first place. The energy would burn the hair, leaving the skin with marks and scarring. While wasting away on the surface level of the skin.

Should you shave before laser hair removal treatments? (CanovaMedical.com)

Is stubble ok for laser hair removal?

Stubble. It's critical to shave within 24 hours prior to undergoing laser hair removal. Even a small amount of stubble can damage the laser and cause unnecessary pain, hyperpigmentation, and burns.

What happens if I shave 2 hours before laser?

My recommendation is to have a close shave a day or two before your treatment. However, it's crucial to avoid shaving too closely immediately prior to the session. Shaving too closely right before your appointment can increase the sensitivity of your skin, making the treatment more uncomfortable.

Can IPL be used without shaving?

You won't have to worry about this with IPL, as you're actually advised to shave before treatment. Shaving before your IPL hair removal treatment helps the light beam to focus in on the hair root. When using IPL, you'll need to shave less and less as your treatments go on.

Can IPL cause more hair growth?

IPL treatment does not cause hair to regrow any quicker, despite what the myth may have you believe. It causes the hair follicles to go into a state of dormancy for a considerable time. This results in the patients and users having hair-free bodies for an extended period.

Can I use IPL for full Brazilian?

That might have left you asking yourself, “Can I use IPL for pubic hair?” You sure can, but there are a few important steps to take to ensure you get the best results. Trim existing hair: First, shave, epilate, or wax your intimate area.

What are the do's and don'ts of IPL?

THE DOS
  • Set Clear Expectations. Although IPL therapy is an effective treatment for many variations of OSD, it is not a magic bullet. ...
  • Use Caution With Darker Skin Types. ...
  • Use Eye Shields. ...
  • Don't Treat Melasma. ...
  • Don't Let Telangiectasia Dictate Clinical Success. ...
  • Don't Skip Education on Sun Protection.

How do you remove dead hair after IPL?

Exfoliate gently

After about a week, begin exfoliating the treated area to help remove any dead hair. To avoid irritation, use a gentle exfoliating scrub or a soft loofah.

How to get the best IPL results?

For best results, IPL treatments should be repeated every fortnight, up to six times. You will start to see results after the third treatment.

Can I shave 1 hour before IPL?

Yes, you can shave up to an hour before your IPL treatment. However, it's best to give yourself enough time for the skin to calm down and any nicks or cuts to heal so that irritation is minimized during the procedure.

What is the lifespan of IPL device?

Decreased lifespan: On average an IPL device will last around 15 years, but neglecting maintenance will reduce this significantly. Potential malfunctions: Not only could this mean you can't finish your treatment, but it could potentially cause irritation or damage to your skin.

Who is not a good candidate for IPL hair removal?

Who Is Not a Candidate? People with tanned or naturally dark skin are not necessarily good candidates for IPL because there's a risk that the skin pigment could change after treatment. Anyone taking Accutane should not consider an IPL treatment until at least six months after they stop using the drug.

Why do I have stubble after IPL?

Up to a few weeks after treatment, your skin will develop stubble or blackheads as a part of the shedding process that happens from hairs that were partially grown at the time of the procedure.

What happens if you use IPL too often?

IPL is most effective while your hair is in the growth phase –if you treat your skin multiple times a week, your hair can become dormant and IPL treatment won't work as well. Additionally, while IPL is a gentle treatment, too much of it can be a bad thing. If you use IPL too frequently, you may irritate your skin.

Will I regret laser hair removal?

While laser hair removal significantly reduces hair growth, it doesn't always eliminate it completely, and some may still require occasional touch-ups. Skin reactions can also play a role in feelings of regret, although this is rare when the procedure is done correctly.

What happens if you don't shave before IPL?

Not shaving before your laser hair removal session can lead to several issues: Reduced efficacy: Hair above the skin absorbs the laser energy, diverting it from the follicles, leading to diminished results. Skin irritation: Unshaved hair can cause post-laser redness, inflammation, and swelling.

Does IPL remove peach fuzz?

IPL face treatment works best on terminal hair, as there is more melanin for the light to target. Vellus hair is the fine, light hair we have on most of the body. It's also known as peach fuzz, especially on the face.

How short should hair be for an IPL?

The recommended hair length for laser hair removal is typically about 1-2 millimeters, which is approximately the length of stubble a day or two after shaving. This length ensures that the hair follicle is intact and visible for the laser to target effectively.

What happens if you miss a spot shaving before laser?

If you don't shave before your laser hair removal treatment, the laser will target the surface hair, which can lead to a less effective session. This means you might require more sessions than initially planned, delaying your journey towards that attractive, hair-free body.

What happens if you shave too early after laser?

The Mechanics Behind the Laser Hair Treatment

After undergoing the treatment, hairs begin a shedding phase which can last between 10 to 14 days. It's crucial during this period to let the hairs naturally fall out. Shaving too early can risk complications like ingrown hairs and other skin irritations.

How to shave a Brazilian area for laser?

Skin on your bikini area is more sensitive so you should shave gently. Shave in the direction of the hair growth first, and then you can go against the hair growth direction for a closer shave. Make sure to use special creams such as Harley Sooth (post-laser treatment balm) to eliminate the irritation.

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