How to Prepare for Laser Hair Removal

To prepare for laser hair removal, focus on four things: keep the area out of the sun, stop waxing and plucking, shave a few days before, and tell your provider about your skin history and medicines. Doing these lowers the risk of side effects and helps the treatment work.

Below is a timeline you can follow, the questions worth asking at your consultation, and what to expect on the day and afterwards.

Why preparation matters

The laser targets pigment in the hair. Anything that adds pigment to the skin, such as a tan, makes the treatment harder to do safely. Cleveland Clinic notes that “naturally or artificially tanned skin can make laser hair removal less effective and lead to side effects.”

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) is direct about the risks: in inexperienced hands, “burns, permanent changes to your skin color, and scars can occur.” It also says that following the before-treatment and after-treatment instructions “will greatly reduce your risk of side effects.”

How to prepare for laser hair removal: your timeline

In the weeks before

Do not tan, outdoors or indoors. The AAD lists this first.
Do not use sunless tanners.
Wear sunscreen every day on the area being treated. The AAD specifies broad-spectrum, SPF 30 or higher, and water-resistant.
Stop waxing, tweezing and plucking the area. Cleveland Clinic advises avoiding these once treatment begins. Shaving is fine.

If you already have a tan, tell your provider. You may be asked to wait until it has faded.

A few days before

Shave the treatment area. Cleveland Clinic recommends two to three days before, and notes that treatment will not work where hair is “longer than a grain of rice.” Some providers ask for a shave one to two days before instead, so check the timing you were given.

On the day

The area is cleansed before treatment starts.
Some patients are given a numbing gel for small, sensitive areas. The AAD says it takes about 30 to 60 minutes to work, so ask in advance whether you will have it.
Everyone in the room wears protective eyewear during treatment.

What to tell your provider beforehand

The AAD says to tell your provider if you have:

a tendency to scar;
a recent tan;
ever had a keloid, which is a type of raised scar;
a tendency to get cold sores or genital herpes;
taken isotretinoin, or take any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines such as aspirin.

Questions to ask at your consultation

These come from the AAD’s list:

Who will perform the treatment, and what are their qualifications?
How many of these treatments have you performed on people with my skin colouring?
How many treatments will I need?
What results can I expect?
What do I need to do beforehand?
What are the potential side effects, and am I at higher risk for any of them?
How much will the treatment cost?

Your provider can also tell you whether a different treatment would suit you better.

What the treatment feels like

The skin is held taut and treated with the laser. The AAD reports that many patients describe the pulses as feeling “like warm pinpricks or a rubber band being snapped against the skin.” A small area such as the upper lip takes minutes. A large area such as the back or legs can take more than an hour.

What to expect afterwards

Redness and swelling are normal and often look like a mild sunburn. A cool compress helps.
Keep the treated skin out of direct sunlight, and do not use tanning beds or sun lamps.
The AAD says laser hair removal “generally does not require any real downtime.” Most people return to everyday activities.

The most common side effects are discomfort, swelling and redness, which last one to three days. Rarer side effects include blistering, cold sore outbreaks, infection, scarring, and lightening or darkening of the skin. The AAD notes that skin colour usually returns to normal over time, but some changes are permanent.

How many sessions will you need?

The sources give different numbers, so expect a range:

The AAD says most patients need 2 to 6 treatments, and elsewhere that removing unwanted hair can take 6 sessions or more.
Cleveland Clinic says six to eight.

Sessions are spaced weeks apart. The AAD says most patients can have treatment once every 4 to 6 weeks. Hair grows in cycles, and the laser only works on follicles in their growth stage, which is why one session is not enough.

After the first treatment, you can expect a 10% to 25% reduction in hair. After a full course, most patients stay hair-free for months or years. Some hair usually grows back, finer and lighter than before, and maintenance sessions may be needed.

A note on skin tone

The AAD says laser hair removal works best for people with light skin and dark hair. It is now an option for people with dark skin too, but it “must be performed very carefully in these patients.” That is why the question about your provider’s experience with your skin colouring is worth asking.

Frequently asked questions

Can I shave between sessions?

Yes. Shaving is the one hair removal method that is fine throughout a course of treatment. Avoid waxing, tweezing and plucking.

What if I got a tan before my appointment?

Tell your provider before the session. Tanned skin raises the risk of side effects, and the AAD lists a recent tan among the things your provider needs to know.

Is laser hair removal permanent?

It gives long-lasting reduction. Most patients remain hair-free for months or even years, and regrowth tends to be finer and lighter. Cleveland Clinic describes the results as not permanent, and the AAD notes that maintenance treatments may be needed.