Laser hair removal works. But how well it works depends partly on what you do before and after each session. The preparation isn’t complicated, but skipping steps can affect your results or increase the risk of side effects.
Here’s the full rundown — what to do, what to avoid, and what to expect on the day.
Before your session: the do’s
Shave the treatment area 24 hours before your appointment. This one surprises people. You’d think a hair removal appointment means showing up with hair, but the laser needs to target the hair follicle beneath the skin’s surface. If there’s hair sitting above the skin, the laser’s energy gets absorbed by the shaft instead of the root. Shaving removes the surface hair while leaving the follicle intact below.
Use a clean razor. Don’t rush it. Shaving the morning before or the night before your appointment works well.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Especially if you’re having your legs, bikini line, or underarms treated. Tight clothing can irritate freshly treated skin, and you’ll be more comfortable in something that doesn’t rub.
Arrive with clean skin. No moisturiser, deodorant, fake tan, or sunscreen on the treatment area. These products can interfere with the laser or cause a reaction. Wash the area with plain soap and water before you come in.
Before your session: the don’ts
No waxing or plucking for 4 to 6 weeks before your appointment. This is the most important rule. Waxing and plucking remove the hair follicle entirely — and that follicle is exactly what the laser needs to target. If it’s not there, the laser has nothing to work with.
Shaving between sessions is completely fine because it only cuts the hair at the surface. The follicle stays put.
No fake tan for at least 2 weeks before treatment. DHA (the active ingredient in self-tanners) changes your skin tone temporarily. Laser settings are calibrated based on the contrast between your skin tone and hair colour. Fake tan throws that calibration off and increases the risk of burns or uneven results.
Avoid sun exposure for 2 weeks before treatment. Same logic as the fake tan rule. Tanned skin absorbs more laser energy, which raises the risk of burns, blistering, and pigmentation changes. If you’ve been in the sun recently, let your clinician know — they may need to reschedule.
Tell your clinician about any medications you’re taking. Some medications make your skin more sensitive to light. These include certain antibiotics (like doxycycline), retinoids (like isotretinoin), and some anti-inflammatory drugs. Your clinician will check whether it’s safe to proceed or whether you need to wait.
If you’ve started a new medication since your last session, mention it. Don’t assume it doesn’t matter.
What to expect on the day
Treatment time varies depending on which area you’re having done. Upper lip takes about 15 minutes. Full legs can take up to 60 minutes. Most areas fall somewhere in between.
Your clinician will clean the treatment area, then apply the laser handpiece to your skin. You’ll feel a snapping or flicking sensation — often compared to a rubber band flicking against your skin. It’s not the most comfortable thing you’ll ever do, but most people tolerate it well. Some areas are more sensitive than others. The bikini line tends to be spicier than the legs, for instance.
Modern laser systems have built-in cooling technology that chills the skin immediately before and after each pulse. This makes a noticeable difference to comfort.
Your clinician will adjust the laser settings based on your skin type, hair colour, and the area being treated. This is why the initial consultation matters — those settings need to be right for you specifically. Read more about how laser hair removal actually works for a deeper explanation of the technology.
You’ll be given protective eyewear to wear throughout the session. The laser light is intense and your eyes must be shielded.
Aftercare: the first 24 to 48 hours
The treated area will likely be slightly red and may feel warm — similar to mild sunburn. This is normal and usually settles within a few hours.
Apply SPF 50+ sunscreen to any treated areas that will be exposed to sunlight. This is non-negotiable for the weeks following treatment. Your skin is more vulnerable to UV damage after laser, and sun exposure can cause pigmentation changes that are difficult to reverse.
No hot showers, baths, saunas, or steam rooms for 24 hours. Heat can aggravate the treated skin and increase redness or swelling.
No exercise for 24 hours. Sweating and increased body temperature can irritate the area. Give it a day.
No perfumed products, deodorant, or harsh skincare on the treated area for 24 to 48 hours. Stick to gentle, fragrance-free moisturiser if the skin feels dry.
No waxing or plucking between sessions. Worth repeating. Shaving is fine once the skin has settled (usually after a couple of days). But leave the follicles alone.
How many sessions will you need?
Most people need between 6 and 8 sessions to see significant, lasting hair reduction. Some areas may need more, some fewer. Your clinician will give you a more specific estimate based on your hair type and the area being treated.
Sessions are spaced 4 to 8 weeks apart, depending on the body area. This spacing isn’t arbitrary — it’s based on your hair growth cycle.
Why multiple sessions? A quick biology lesson
Your hair doesn’t all grow at the same time. At any given moment, each hair on your body is in one of three phases:
- Anagen (growth phase): The hair is actively growing and attached to the follicle. This is the only phase where the laser can effectively target the follicle.
- Catagen (transition phase): The hair detaches from the follicle and stops growing.
- Telogen (resting phase): The old hair falls out and the follicle rests before starting a new growth cycle.
Only about 20 to 30 per cent of your hair is in the anagen phase at any one time. That means each laser session can only treat a portion of your hair. The rest is sitting in catagen or telogen, invisible to the laser.
By spacing sessions over several months, you catch different hairs as they cycle into the growth phase. That’s why consistency matters — skipping sessions or spacing them too far apart means you miss those windows.
After your course is finished
Most people see a significant reduction in hair growth after completing their course. Some fine or light hairs may persist, and occasional maintenance sessions (once or twice a year) can keep things in check.
Results vary based on your hair colour, skin type, hormonal factors, and the body area treated. Your clinician will set realistic expectations during your consultation so you know what to aim for.
One last thing
If anything feels off after a session — unusual pain, blistering, prolonged redness, or any reaction that doesn’t seem right — contact the clinic. Don’t wait it out. We’d always rather hear from you early than late.
For full treatment details, visit our laser hair removal page or check our pricing page. You can also book a consultation to get a personalised treatment plan.
