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You can prepare for laser hair removal by not waxing or plucking hairs in the treatment area for four to six weeks before your treatment-hair follicles must be present to be treated. You can still shave and, in fact, you'll be asked to shave your treatment area 24 to 48 hours before your scheduled appointment. Because laser hair removal depends on the color of your skin and hair, you should not sun tan for a minimum of six weeks before your treatment.


There may be some redness or bumps immediately after the treatment, but nothing that will keep you from your daily activities. Some people apply a temporary icepack on their treatment area. You don't need time to recover after your session, so you can participate in almost all of your regular activities immediately after your appointment. You should, however, avoid exposure to the sun for the following four to six weeks.

The treatment should be performed by a registered nurse (RNs) or physician who's trained to operate a laser. Different treatment choices must be made for each patient. Side effects, such as skin discoloration, can result if the laser is operated by an inexperienced practitioner. At Kaiser Permanente, we provide only laser trained RNs or physicians to deliver high-quality care to our patients.

Laser hair removal is a safe procedure, but there are some risks. Some people may experience redness, swelling, bruising, blistering, or superficial skin erosions that are temporary and heal with time. Another risk is skin discoloration, which can last for several months or may be permanent.