Should I shave in between IPL sessions?

Author: Prof. Rosie Weissnat  |  Last update: Friday, September 12, 2025

It's perfectly acceptable to shave between laser hair removal sessions. Shaving is the only method of hair removal recommended between laser hair removal sessions. While waxing or tweezing removes hair at the root, shaving cuts the hair on the surface of the skin.

Is it okay to shave between IPL treatments?

7. My favourite thing -- you can shave between IPL sessions! Not just can, in fact, you must. The best thing to do is shave the day before you get zapping, or the morning of, so that you're silky smooth ahead of the session.

What happens if I shave in between laser sessions?

Nope, that's nonsense. You absolutely can shave between laser sessions, it won't make any difference to the strength of your facial hair. A quick Google of ``does shaving make hair stronger'' will give plenty of sources stating that this is a common myth and completely untrue.

What to do between IPL sessions?

Yes, shaving is allowed between IPL sessions, as it doesn't disrupt the hair follicles' recovery process. However, avoid waxing, plucking, or using depilatory creams, as these methods can interfere with the treatment's effectiveness.

How long after IPL should you shave?

Everyone's body is different so the best thing to do is touch the skin to determine the sensitivity before shaving. If you shave too quickly you may irritate the skin even more, so waiting at least three or four days after your treatment is usually ideal.

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Is stubble ok for IPL?

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 I use IPL on pubic hair?

First things first, let's answer a pressing question: can you use IPL on the bikini area safely? Yes, you can! That is, as long as you have a device, like the Philips Lumea IPL 9000 Series, that has a specific attachment designed to work with the contours of this area of your body.

How long does it take for capillaries to disappear after IPL?

As a general rule, the smaller the capillaries, the quicker they are to clear up. Typically, you won't start seeing results until two to four weeks after the first treatment, as it can take the body's lymphatic system that long to remove the dead material.

Does the hair fall out after IPL?

After IPL hair removal

The hair will appear to grow (though very slowly) for 2 to 4 weeks and should then fall out; this is the treated hair being pushed out of the follicle, not new growth. Any hair that does not fall out was either too fine, too light, too deeply rooted or possibly wasn't treated.

How to speed up IPL recovery?

Moisturize Inside and Out

Moisturizing your skin is essential after IPL. Use a gentle moisturizing cream multiple times each day to keep your skin comfortable and moisturized. Skin hydration doesn't only come from the surface, either. Drink lots of water to moisturize your skin from the inside out.

Why is my hair growing back 2 days after laser?

This is a sign that the laser successfully treated the follicle, and it's clearing out the dead hair shaft. This shedding process, also called “peppering,” can last anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks. In some cases, it may feel like the hair is growing back because it's breaking through the skin.

How long should I wait to shave again after laser?

What is the aftercare for Laser Hair Removal treatments? For 24 -48 hours after the treatment, please avoid excessive sweating, hot showers, shaving, waxing, and plucking the treatment area.

Why is my hair not shedding after laser?

It could indicate that the follicles were not sufficiently damaged during the procedure, which may necessitate further sessions or even alternative treatments, conducted with the same precision you'd expect from plastic surgery procedures.

Is it bad to shave in between laser appointments?

Contrary to popular belief, shaving does not interfere with the effectiveness of laser hair removal. In fact, shaving is often recommended between sessions, as it allows the laser to target the hair follicle more precisely.

How to know if an IPL is working?

You will notice that the hair growth after four weeks of IPL treatment will be lesser and thinner. After completing a session of 12 weeks, the hair growth will reduce completely, providing you with silky, smooth skin for a longer time. However, you may have to continue touch-ups as needed.

What happens if I use IPL without shaving?

Since IPL devices work on smooth skin, if you don't shave before the treatment, it will singe the hair, which will lead to skin burning. Without shaving, the treatment might not be as effective. Not shaving your existing hair will also result in small temporary grazes on the top layer of your skin.

Can I shave in between IPL treatments?

It's perfectly acceptable to shave between laser hair removal sessions. Shaving is the only method of hair removal recommended between laser hair removal sessions. While waxing or tweezing removes hair at the root, shaving cuts the hair on the surface of the skin. The advantage?

What are the negatives about IPL?

One of the most significant concerns associated with IPL treatment is the risk of burns or skin discoloration, particularly in people with darker skin tones. This risk stems from the procedure's reliance on light absorption, which can lead to excessive heat in areas with higher melanin concentrations.

Does IPL eventually stop hair growth?

The IPL Laser Hair Removal Handset and clinical laser treatment have the same end result of gradually reducing hair growth over several treatments until you get a permanent reduction in hair growth.

How long does purging last after IPL?

In a typical case, the purging period will usually sit anywhere between two to six weeks. However, if you have a lot of closed comedones (which are those small bumps on the skin that are caused by blocked pores) it might take longer, this is why relying on a good exfoliant in your routine is key!

Is BBL or IPL better for broken capillaries?

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)

It's effective for treating a variety of skin conditions caused by sun damage, like brown spots and red spots, as well as broken capillaries and rosacea.

What are the black dots after IPL?

What Are the Black Dots? The small black dots you may notice post-laser treatment are often referred to as “pepper spots” or “hair cast”. Essentially, they are tiny remnants of hair follicles that remain trapped in the skin as your body works to expel them.

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.

How to make IPL more effective?

For best results, IPL treatments should be repeated every fortnight, up to six times. You will start to see results after the third treatment. A treatment schedule can help you maintain this rhythm. This is especially helpful if you're treating different areas of your body.

Does IPL reduce ingrowns?

A painful and ugly side effect of shaving or waxing can be ingrown hairs. You may completely avoid ingrown hairs with IPL hair removal. This is because this treatment works by focusing on damaging the hair follicle, which stops the growth of new hair and lowers the chance of ingrown hairs.

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