How to prepare for laser hair removal: stop waxing, plucking or electrolysis at least four weeks before, stay out of the sun and skip tanning, shave the area the day before, and tell your nurse about every medicine you take. Wear SPF 30 or higher daily.
Written by Jen Adams, BSN, RN, Vice President of Clinical at InjectCo
Medically reviewed by Dr. Josh Allen, D.O., Medical Director on November 5, 2026
Medical disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always follow the specific guidance your provider gives you.
Before your first laser hair removal session, a consultation is where the planning happens. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) suggests asking how many treatments you will likely need, what results you can expect, what the possible side effects are and what the treatment will cost.
Just as important is what you tell your provider. The AAD lists a tendency to scar, any history of keloids, a recent tan, a tendency toward cold sore or genital herpes outbreaks, and whether you have taken isotretinoin or take any other medicine, including over-the-counter ones such as aspirin. Every laser appointment at InjectCo is done by a registered nurse, who reviews this history with you. If you are curious about the rules on who can perform laser hair removal in Texas, see our guide on laser hair removal in Texas.
Mayo Clinic advises stopping plucking, waxing and electrolysis in the treatment area for at least four weeks before treatment. Shaving is the hair removal method to use in between.
Do not tan, outdoors or indoors, and do not use sunless tanners in the weeks before treatment (AAD; Mayo Clinic). The AAD also advises a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day.
Mayo Clinic notes that black and brown skin contain more melanin, so choosing the right type of laser and the right settings is important to lower the risk of burns and lasting changes in skin color. We assess your Fitzpatrick skin type before your first session. For more on this topic, see our guide on laser hair removal for dark skin.
Some medicines can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, a reaction called photosensitivity. The FDA lists categories that can cause it, including some antibiotics (such as doxycycline), some NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen and naproxen), oral contraceptives and retinoids (such as isotretinoin). Not everyone who takes these medicines reacts, and this is not a reason to stop any medicine on your own; the FDA advises asking your health care professional or pharmacist. Tell your nurse if you take any of these, and she decides whether your plan or timing needs to change.
Every laser appointment is done by a registered nurse, starting with a skin and hair check.
Single sessions from $85 for a small area such as the upper lip or chin.
Mayo Clinic advises shaving the treatment area the day before your appointment. Your nurse confirms any extra steps for your treatment area, such as trimming longer hair, when you book.
According to the AAD, everyone in the treatment room, including you, wears protective eyewear during the procedure, and many patients say the laser pulses feel like warm pinpricks or a rubber band snapped against the skin.
How long your session takes depends on the area: the AAD notes that a small area like the upper lip can take minutes, while a large area like the back or legs can take more than an hour. Some patients receive a numbing gel, which takes about 30 to 60 minutes to work. Ask your nurse about comfort options.
Ask your nurse when you book whether to skip deodorant, lotion or makeup on the treatment area that day. For a fuller look at what the pulses feel like, see our guide on does laser hair removal hurt.
Redness and swelling similar to a mild sunburn are common right after treatment, and a cool compress can help (AAD). Mayo Clinic advises protecting the treated skin from the sun for six weeks, or as your provider directs. Sessions are usually spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart (AAD).
Yes. Mayo Clinic advises shaving the treatment area the day before your appointment, and stopping waxing, plucking and electrolysis at least four weeks before. Shaving keeps the area ready for treatment without those methods. Your nurse confirms any extra steps for your treatment area, such as trimming longer hair, when you book.
At least four weeks. Mayo Clinic advises stopping waxing, plucking and electrolysis in the treatment area for at least four weeks before your session. Shaving is fine in between, and Mayo Clinic advises shaving the day before your appointment. Your nurse can confirm the timing for your area at your consultation.
No. The AAD and Mayo Clinic advise avoiding tanning, both outdoors and indoors, and sunless tanners before treatment. Mayo Clinic notes that black and brown skin carry a higher risk of lasting color changes, which is why the right laser and settings matter. The AAD advises daily broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF 30 or higher sunscreen.
Ask your nurse when you book. Steps can differ by treatment area, so your nurse tells you whether to skip deodorant, lotion or makeup on the area that day. If you are not sure on the day, mention it at check-in before your session starts, and your nurse can walk you through it.
The same core steps apply: stop waxing, plucking or electrolysis at least four weeks before, avoid tanning, and shave the area the day before your appointment (Mayo Clinic). Tell your nurse about any history of genital herpes outbreaks, as the AAD advises. Your nurse can walk you through anything specific to this area at your consultation.
Ask your nurse about comfort options before you use anything. The FDA has warned consumers to avoid certain over-the-counter pain relief products with more than 4% lidocaine around cosmetic procedures, because heavy use over large areas, or covering the skin with plastic wrap, can lead to serious problems such as an irregular heartbeat, seizures and breathing difficulties.
Preparing for laser hair removal comes down to timing: stop removing hair at the root a month out, protect your skin from the sun in the weeks before, shave the day before, and be upfront with your nurse about your medicines and skin history. If you are unsure whether something applies to you, mention it at your consultation, well before your appointment day.
Book a nurse-led visit at an InjectCo clinic that offers laser.
From $85 a small area, $140 underarms, single session.
In this laser hair removal series: Previous, Underarm Laser Hair Removal Cost. Next up, PCOS Laser Hair Removal.
Dr. Allen earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his emergency medicine residency with Texas A&M. As Medical Director, he reviews InjectCo’s treatments, protocols, and patient education content for accuracy and safety across all nine Texas locations.
