Can You Shave Between Laser Hair Removal Sessions?
Yes — shaving is the only recommended method of hair removal between sessions.
The 3 Golden Rules of Shaving Between Laser Sessions
Wait 24–48 Hours: Avoid shaving immediately after your session. Your skin needs time to recover from the heat. Wait until any redness or “chicken skin” (perifollicular edema) has subsided.
Shave, Don’t Pull: Shaving is 100% okay (and encouraged!). However, you must never wax, pluck, or thread. The laser needs the hair root to be present in the follicle to work; if you pull it out, the next session will be a waste of money.
The ‘Clean Shave’ Prep: Ensure you arrive at your next appointment at Lashes & Lipstick with a fresh shave (ideally 12–24 hours prior). This allows the laser energy to travel straight to the root rather than burning hair on the surface.
What to avoid
- Waxing
- Threading
- Plucking
These remove the follicle, which the laser needs to target.
Why shaving between laser works
Shaving keeps the follicle intact while keeping skin smooth.
Is it Regrowth or Shedding?
About 1–3 weeks after your session at our Markham clinic, you’ll notice hair ‘growing’ back. This is actually the dead hair being pushed out of the follicle (shedding). You can gently exfoliate with a washcloth in the shower to help this process along, and yes—you can shave these hairs if they bother you!
👉 Ready to start your journey? View our Laser Hair Removal Markham pricing and technology.
Still tempted to wax? Read our Laser vs. Waxing breakdown to see why shaving and laser win every time.
The Science of the Surface: Protecting Your Skin Barrier
While shaving between laser sessions, it’s important to remember that both the laser and the razor act as exfoliants. To maintain a healthy skin barrier between sessions at our Markham clinic, we recommend using a fragrance-free, non-comedogenic moisturizer. This prevents the “itchiness” often associated with the shedding phase and ensures your skin remains hydrated and calm before your next Soprano Ice Platinum treatment.
