Can you wax before laser hair removal? We hear this question all the time, and it's an important one! If you're considering laser treatments, you might be wondering about the best way to prep your skin. After all, you're used to waxing for smooth results, so wouldn't that be a good way to get ready for laser, too?
In this guide, we'll explain why these two popular hair removal methods don't always play well together and give you the inside scoop on how to properly prepare for your laser treatments.
How Laser Hair Removal Works
First, a quick refresher on how laser hair removal works. The treatment uses light energy to target the pigment in your hair shaft, the part of the hair just below the surface of your skin. When the laser pulses against your skin, this light energy converts to heat, which travels down the hair shaft into the hair follicle, causing damage that helps prevent future hair growth. Pretty cool, right?
Why You Shouldn't Wax Before Laser Hair Removal
The key takeaway here is that the laser needs to be able to find and target your hair shaft. This allows it to make that connection so energy travels down to the follicle, which is where we want it. When you wax, you're pulling out the hair shaft and root—the exact parts the laser needs to find and treat.
This can stretch out your entire timeline for laser hair removal, ultimately requiring more sessions. One reason is that laser hair removal is most effective when targeting hair that’s in the active growth phase, also known as the anagen phase. Hair that’s been removed at the root won’t be in active growth, so the laser won’t be as effective. In addition to all this, waxing between laser hair removal sessions throws off the timing of your hair growth cycles—another reason waxing makes it more difficult to target hair during the active growth phase.
Most experts suggest stopping all waxing at least two weeks before starting laser hair removal to give your follicles enough time to regenerate.
What to Do Before Laser Hair Removal Instead
So if waxing is off the table, how should you prep for your laser appointment? Here's the game plan:
Shaving: This is your go-to method before laser treatment. Plan to shave 24-48 hours before your appointment. This timing is perfect because it provides a buffer for any irritation that might be caused by shaving, giving your skin a day or two to calm down.
Good shaving technique makes a big difference, too. Always use a clean razor to reduce the risk of introducing bacteria into your skin. Shave during a warm shower when your pores are open and your hair is softer, and shave WITH the direction of hair growth to reduce the risk of nicks, ingrown hairs, and irritation. These simple steps help prevent skin sensitivity so you’re ready for laser hair removal.
Skip the Root Removal: Besides waxing, avoid tweezing, epilating, or any other method that pulls hair out by the root for at least two weeks before your laser appointment.
Stay Out of the Sun: Avoid tanning (whether from the sun, tanning beds, or spray tans) before your treatment. Tanned skin increases the risk of complications, and in some cases, we’ll have to skip your treatment that day.
Keep It Clean: Show up to your appointment with clean skin—no lotions, deodorants, no makeup in the treatment area. This helps prevent interference with the laser.
Waxing vs. Laser Hair Removal: Key Differences
Let's talk about how these two popular hair removal methods stack up against each other.
Waxing gives you immediate, medium-term results. Since it removes existing hair at the root, it leaves your skin smooth for 2-4 weeks, making it a much more convenient option than regular shaving. Appointments are required every 3-4 weeks to maintain the results, but over time, hair can start to grow back thinner, so it becomes more manageable.
Laser hair removal offers less immediate results, but the payoff is long-term hair reduction after multiple sessions. Instead of removing only visible hair, laser hair removal targets all the follicles to help prevent future growth. After finishing a full treatment course (usually 6-8 sessions), many clients see a permanent hair reduction of 70-90% in the treated areas.
While these methods work differently and have different timelines, they don't have to be enemies. Waxing can complement laser treatments once you've completed your full laser course, especially for maintaining fine hairs that weren't eliminated by the laser.
When Can You Wax After Laser Hair Removal?
During your laser treatment plan, you won't need (or want) to wax. Your skin needs a full 2-4 weeks to heal completely from laser treatments, and waxing between sessions would increase skin sensitivity and interfere with the efficacy of the laser.
After completing your full laser hair removal course, waxing becomes a great option for maintaining any remaining hair, if you so choose. This combo approach works especially well for those super-fine hairs or "peach fuzz" that are harder for laser treatments to target because they don't contain much pigment.
If you've finished your laser treatments and are considering going back to waxing for maintenance, European Wax Center is a great choice. Our Comfort Wax® is specially formulated to be gentle on skin, making it perfect for maintaining your results.
Tips for a Smooth Laser Hair Removal Experience
Want to get the most out of your laser hair removal experience? Be sure to follow your technician's pre-treatment instructions carefully.
-Drink water to stay hydrated before and after your sessions (it's good for your skin)
-Moisturize Daily! Laser treatments can temporarily dry out your skin, so keeping it hydrated is a must.
-After 48 hours, you can start gently exfoliating your skin with a product like EWC Treat® Face & Body Exfoliating Gel to help remove dry skin.
-Consider using EWC TREAT® Ingrown Hair Serum between treatments to help prevent pesky ingrown hairs. Just be sure to wait 48 hours after a treatment session to start using it.
The Smooth Path Forward
While waxing and laser hair removal are both fantastic hair removal methods, they work in totally different ways, which means they don't mix well when used simultaneously. Waxing before laser removes the very structures the laser needs to target, making your treatments less effective and extending the time it takes to see results.
For the best outcome, prep for laser by shaving 24-48 hours before your appointment, staying out of the sun, and keeping the treatment area clean. Once you've finished your laser treatments, waxing can be a great complementary method for maintaining any remaining fine hairs.
Ready to begin your laser hair removal journey? Schedule a consultation at European Wax Center and let our experts guide you to smoother, hair-free skin.