Laser Hair Removal Aftercare and Prep, Step by Step
No guessing the night before.
Laser hair removal aftercare is short: keep the area out of the sun and away from heat for a day. Prep is four steps, and the first one starts four weeks out.
- Shave 24 hours before
- No waxing for 4 weeks
- Out of the sun for 2 weeks
What is the aftercare for laser hair removal?
After laser hair removal, keep the area out of the sun and wear sunscreen on it. Skip hot tubs and hard workouts for a day. Pink skin for a few hours is normal. Before each visit, shave 24 hours ahead and do not wax or pluck. At Magic FemTouch MedSpa in Oak Lawn, your provider goes over both.
Updated
How to prepare for laser hair removal
This is the usual prep. Your provider may adjust it for your skin.
- Four weeks before No waxing, plucking or threading. The laser needs the root in place. Shaving is fine.
- Two weeks before Keep the area out of the sun. No tanning beds and no self-tanner.
- 24 hours before Shave the area.
- The day of Come with clean skin. No lotion, deodorant or makeup on the area.
Tell your provider about any medicines, like antibiotics or retinoids, and any recent peels or laser.
Should you shave before laser hair removal?
Yes. Shave the area about 24 hours before your visit. The laser aims for the root, not the hair above the skin. Hair left on the surface soaks up heat and can irritate the skin.
Can I shave 2 hours before laser?
The day before is better. It gives your skin time to settle, so it is less likely to sting. If you forgot, tell your provider when you arrive.
Is a little stubble OK?
Short stubble is fine. Long hair is not, because it holds heat on top of the skin.
Do I shave before a Brazilian laser?
Yes, the same way: shave the area you are treating about 24 hours before. If a spot is hard to reach, mention it when you arrive.
Why shave but not wax?
Shaving leaves the root in place. Waxing, plucking and threading pull it out, so the laser has nothing to aim at. Skip them for your whole series.
Laser hair removal aftercare
- Pink skin and small bumps around each hair are normal for a few hours. A cool, clean cloth can help.
- Skip hot tubs and hard workouts for a day.
- Keep the area out of the sun for two weeks, and wear sunscreen on it.
- Do not pluck or wax the hairs that shed. Shave if you need to.
Most people go back to their day. Your provider goes over aftercare before you leave.
Consult first. Walk-ins welcome.
Want a provider to look at your skin first? Book a consult on 95th Street.
“The staff was professional, kind, and made me feel comfortable throughout the entire visit. The clinic is beautiful, clean, and very welcoming.”
When does hair fall out after laser?
Treated hair sheds over one to three weeks. While it pushes out, it can look like the hair is growing back. That is normal. Let it fall out on its own, or shave it.
The next session is 4 to 8 weeks later, by area. It treats the hair that has started growing since. Our guide to how many laser sessions you need explains why.
Between sessions: what to do and what to skip
| Habit | Between sessions |
|---|---|
| Shaving | Yes, as often as you like |
| Waxing, plucking, threading | Skip for the whole series |
| Sun on the area | Keep it covered, and wear sunscreen |
| Tanning beds and self-tanner | Skip for two weeks before each session |
| Retinoids or other skin medicines | Tell your provider before each visit |
Your provider may adjust these for your skin.
When to call the clinic
Call (708) 529-7655 if you see blisters, crusting, or a patch that turns darker or lighter than your skin. These are not common, and your provider wants to see them early.
Consult first. Walk-ins welcome.
Questions about prep? Ask at your consult, before the first session.
“The staff is incredibly kind, knowledgeable, and professional… they truly go above and beyond to personalize your care.”
Questions
Laser prep and aftercare questions
What should you not do after laser hair removal?
For a day, skip hot tubs and hard workouts. For two weeks, keep the area out of the sun and away from tanning beds. Do not pluck or wax the hairs that shed.
Can I work out after laser hair removal?
Wait about a day before a hard workout. Heat and sweat can irritate treated skin. A walk is fine.
Can I wear deodorant before underarm laser?
Not on the day of your visit. Come with clean underarms, or wash it off before you come in. Ask your provider when to put it back on.
Why do I have bumps after laser hair removal?
Small red bumps around each hair are a normal reaction to the heat. They look like goosebumps and usually settle within hours. Call the clinic if they blister.
Can I use self-tanner before laser?
No. Stop self-tanner two weeks before and let it fade. Color on the skin can soak up the laser.
Is it OK to have a tan before laser hair removal?
It is better to wait. A fresh tan adds pigment to the skin, and the laser can heat it. Tell your provider about any recent sun.
Book a visit
Request an appointment
The front desk calls or texts you back during opening hours, Tuesday to Saturday.
- Consult first, then the plan
- Walk-ins welcome
- Free parking
“The entire office is always very warm, welcoming, and professional. Everyone is extremely attentive and always answers all of my questions.”