How to Prepare for Your Laser Hair Removal Appointment

Proper preparation ensures your laser hair removal session in Bedfordshire is safe, comfortable, and effective. At Lux Laser UK in Bromham, our expert practitioners have put together this guide to help you get the best results from your treatment. Whether it’s your first time or your fifth, a little prep goes a long way in achieving smooth, confident skin that lasts.

Shaving vs. Waxing: Shave, Don’t Wax

Before your laser session, it’s important to shave the treatment area, not wax, tweeze, or thread it. Please also avoid depilatory creams, and here’s why:

Laser hair removal works by targeting the pigment (melanin) in the hair follicle. If you wax or pluck, the follicle is temporarily removed - leaving nothing for the laser to target. Shaving, on the other hand, trims the hair at the surface while keeping the follicle intact, allowing the laser to do its job effectively, allowing all that spicy power to hit the root & destroy it. Likewise, if the hair is not shaved it is more likely to singe & lead to a less effective treatment due to the power being absorbed higher up the hair shaft.

We recommend shaving the area 12–24 hours before your appointment for the best results. If you’re unsure how close to shave or what type of razor to use, your practitioner can guide you during your free patch test and consultation, but fear not! If you arrive at your appointment with hair that is too long (or you’ve missed a little spot!), we will help to remove it with a razor that we have on site at Lux.

Skin Care Tips – Treat Your Skin with Kindness

Healthy, calm skin responds best to laser treatment. In the days leading up to your session, try to:

• Avoid sunburn or tanning (natural, fake or sunbeds) for at least 6 weeks before your appointment. We cannot treat skin with an active tan (or containing fake tan pigment) – this will result in a laser burn.

• Skip harsh exfoliants or retinoids for 5-7 days before treatment.

• Avoid perfumed lotions or deodorants on the day of your appointment.

• Keep skin clean and dry, without oils, creams, or makeup.

After treatment, we’ll guide you through your personalised aftercare routine to keep your skin soothed and glowing.

Choosing the Right Settings – Personalised, just for You

At Lux Laser UK, no two treatments are ever the same. We use the award-winning Candela GentleMax Pro, a medical-grade laser system designed to treat all skin types safely and effectively thanks to its dual-wavelength Alexandrite & Nd:YAG lasers.

Your practitioner will assess your skin tone, hair colour, and sensitivity to select the perfect laser settings for you. This ensures maximum results while keeping your skin safe and comfortable throughout your session.

Our Candela is attached to a Cooling Device which contact cools the skin during treatment, Skin is instantly cooled for a smoother, more comfortable experience - even on super sensitive areas like the bikini line, underarms, upper lip and ankles.

What to Bring – Come Comfortable and Prepared

There’s no need to pack much, but a few thoughtful touches can make your visit even smoother:

• Wear loose, comfortable clothing so treated areas aren’t irritated afterwards, and the heat isn’t retained at treatment sites. PJs very welcome for evening appointments – please come as you are! There will never be any judgement from us (instead we’ll wish we had our comfies on too!)

• Bring a bottle of water - staying hydrated helps your skin recover more efficiently, but we can always grab you a glass of water and a sugary sweet on site if needed.

• Skip makeup or moisturiser on the treatment area if possible.

And most importantly - bring yourself! We’ll handle the rest.

Ok, tell me a little more about your most frequently asked questions:

Can I shave right before my appointment?

Yes - but we recommend shaving 12–24 hours beforehand. This timing helps avoid irritation while ensuring the hair is the right length for the laser to target effectively. If you are prone to cuts and redness with shaving, you can shave a little sooner to give your skin time to calm a little in advance of your laser session.

How should I prepare my skin?

Keep your skin clean, dry, and free of products like oils, makeup, deodorant, or self-tan. Avoid sun exposure, retinols, AHAs/BHAs and exfoliants in the few days leading up to treatment. If you’re unsure whether a product is safe to use beforehand, just check with your Lux Laser practitioner - we’re always happy to help.

Can laser be done in summer?

Absolutely! Laser hair removal is safe year-round, including in summer, as long as you take care to avoid sun exposure and tanning before and after treatment.

The Candela GentleMax Pro is a powerful beast, and increased melanin in the skin will lead to a burn. It is important that your skin is at least 6 weeks clear (or as long as it takes to be back to base colour) from an active tan (& free from fake tan!) for your safety and best results.

Darker skin tones can be treated on our Nd:YAG laser, as the level of melanin absorption is significantly lower, making laser hair removal super effective and extremely safe.

Avoid sun exposure for c. 2 weeks after laser, and remember to always use SPF 50+ on treated areas when tanning post-treatment.

Preparing properly for your laser hair removal treatment makes all the difference. By shaving instead of waxing, avoiding irritants, and following your Lux Laser UK practitioner’s guidance, you’ll set yourself up for smooth, long-lasting results.

If you’re ready to start your laser hair removal journey in Bedfordshire, book your free patch test and consultation at Lux Laser UK today - and discover the confident, carefree feeling of hair-free skin.

You can book your free patch test here or visit our Price List page to find out more.

Got more questions? we'd love to hear from you. Feel free to shoot us a DM on Insta, or head to our FAQ section.

With love, Team Lux Laser UK xx

Bromham, Bedfordshire

Insta: @luxlaseruk_

Appt Line (call or text): 07537 133520

WhatsApp Mikaela: 07359 231010