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Why Do I Need to Shave Before Laser Hair Removal?
The Laser Clinics Team
10 Oct 2025
Laser hair removal has become a popular and effective method for achieving long-lasting smooth skin. However, before you step into the laser clinic, there's a crucial step you shouldn't skip – shaving.
In this blog, Laser Clinics United Kingdom will delve into the reasons why shaving is a necessary pre-treatment step to your laser hair removal sessions.
Ensures Laser Targets Hair Follicles
Laser hair removal works by targeting the pigment in the hair follicles, destroying them to inhibit future hair growth. When you shave before the procedure, you remove the visible hair above the skin's surface, allowing the laser to precisely focus on the hair follicles beneath. This ensures that the laser energy is effectively absorbed by the pigment in the follicles, maximising the treatment's efficacy.
Enhances Precision and Accuracy
By shaving the treatment area beforehand, you provide the laser technician with a clean canvas for precise targeting. This is particularly crucial for areas with varying hair lengths, ensuring that the laser can effectively reach the hair follicles without interference from longer hairs. The result is a more accurate and efficient hair removal process.
Reduces the Risk of Skin Irritation
Shaving before laser hair removal reduces the risk of skin irritation. When the laser is applied to shaved skin, it minimises the chances of the laser energy interacting with longer hairs, which can lead to discomfort and potential skin reactions. Shaving ensures a smoother, irritation-free laser hair removal experience.
At Laser Clinics United Kingdom, we recommend shaving the treatment area 12 to 24 hours before your appointment. Our trusted team of highly trained Therapists will give you a detailed instruction of the preparation and aftercare for your laser hair removal treatment. They can also create a tailored treatment plan depending on the treatment area and your skin tone. Book a complimentary consultation today.
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Shave the treatment areas 24 hours prior to the appointment. Shaving is available in clinic for certain areas only (excluding private areas and face) for an additional fee.
No sun exposure two weeks prior to the treatment areas.
Allow 4 weeks prior to your treatment if you have had direct sun exposure. (Any kind of tanning or active sunbathing, with or without SPF).
Allow 2 weeks prior to your treatment if you have had incidental sun exposure (stayed in the shade for the majority of the time during sunny periods, with or without SPF on).
Ensure all fake tan is removed and there is no residual fake tan present on the skin 24 hours before your treatment.
Avoid using topical creams, moisturisers, body oils, colognes or perfumes to the area being treated 24 hours prior to treatment.
Unfortunately, we cannot treat over tattoos with our laser. We can treat around the tattooed areas with a gap of 3cm.
Some medications may make this treatment inadvisable, therefore a complimentary consultation for 1st-time clients is required before booking.
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Select the quantity that best suits you.
Recommended number of 8 to 12 treatments for long lasting results.