What if I don't shave before an IPL?

Author: Pedro Jakubowski  |  Last update: Wednesday, September 24, 2025

If the hair is too long in the area of treatment the IPL may burn the skin and may be more uncomfortable. We generally recommend shaving the day of the procedure. We want the hair just under the skin so that the light can target that rather than hair on the skin surface.

Will IPL work if you don't shave?

Yes, you need to be clean shaven for IPL to work. Otherwise you're just burning the hair above the skin, and risking burning yourself.

What happens if I do laser without shaving?

Answer: Laser Hair Removal and Shaving Thank you for your question. You must shave before laser hair removal treatment. If you do not shave, the hair on the skin will absorb the heat and will not travel to the hair follicle. Also, not shaving can cause pain and increases the risk of burning.

What happens if I shave 2 hours before laser?

It is recommended to shave one night prior or in the morning of the day your treatment has been scheduled. The reason behind this is that after shaving yours hairs will not absorb the laser and it will be easier for the laser to reach to the root of the follicles.

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.

Buff & Bare - What happens if I don't shave before laser or IPL hair removal?

Do I need to shave before an IPL?

Hair must be shaved in the treatment area. Do not wax, pluck, or tweeze hairs from the treatment area for at least 4 weeks before starting IPL. IPL hair removal is contraindicated during pregnancy.

What happens if you laser your pubic hair?

While multiple sessions are typically required, the results can be significant, leading to smoother skin and a reduction in ingrown hairs. While suitable for most skin and hair types, Brazilian Laser Hair Removal is most effective on individuals with darker hair colours due to the higher melanin concentration.

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 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 down there?

If you choose to shave, use a new, clean razor every time, as used razors can carry bacteria. It's best to shave in the direction of hair growth if you can, but that can be hard to tell. It's common for pubic hair to grow in multiple directions.

Is it better not to shave between laser sessions?

It's perfectly acceptable to shave between laser hair removal sessions.

What happens if you cut yourself shaving before laser?

Dry shaving on the day may leave your skin with dryness, irritation and prolonged redness. If you cut yourself and the skin is open, bleeding or compromised your practitioner would not be able to laser over it. Which means you'll have patches of hair untreated for that session.

Do laser technicians shave you?

You will need to shave the area prior to the visit. Once you are in the treatment room, your Laser Technician and Master Esthetician will explain everything to you about the laser and what to expect during the treatments.

What happens if you don't shave before laser treatment?

If the hair is long, this can lead to the laser burning the skin because it traveled the length of the hair and attacks the closest source of melanin. In this case, the skin. However, if the hair is short enough, it will only target the hair until it reaches the root of the follicle.

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.

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.

Can I shave 1 hour before laser hair removal?

Shave 24 to 48 Hours Before Your Appointment: It's best to shave 1-2 days before your session to give your skin time to recover and any potential irritation to settle. This timing helps ensure your skin is in its best condition for the treatment.

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 soon after shaving can you IPL?

Using an IPL hair removal device right away after shaving is advisable. In fact, a lot of IPL equipment is made to be used on skin that has just been shaved. Shaving gets rid of the hair that is above the skin's surface, which makes it easier for the device to target the hair follicles.

Can you use IPL if you have stubble?

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.

What happens if you laser over unshaved hair?

If you forget to shave before your laser hair removal appointment, the effectiveness of your treatment may diminish. The laser may focus on surface hair rather than targeting the hair follicles, leading to: Heightened discomfort: Unshaved hair can cause stinging or a burning sensation during the session.

Why does it look like I have stubble after laser?

Blackheads and Stubble

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.

Does anyone regret laser hair removal?

Years after getting laser hair removal, some people are happy with their results, while others have mixed feelings. For many, the treatment significantly reduces hair growth, and only a little maintenance is needed. However, some people find that their hair starts to grow back over time.

How to stop upper lip hair growth permanently?

I wax my upper lip but it's annoying to have to keep doing it. The only way to permanently eliminate unwanted hair is a process called electrolysis. Electrolysis is performed by inserting a tiny needle into the hair follicle and using an electric current to kill the hair root.

Does coochie laser hair removal hurt?

While some patients experience slight irritation or a tingling sensation in the vaginal area during the treatment, many patients describe it as comparable to the snapping of a rubber band. The skin will not be cut or burned because this special laser is designed to gently treat the delicate feminine tissue.

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