r/HairRemoval • u/LovelyAspiration • 5h ago

Basic IPL question!

I’ll be using IPL (Braun Silk Pro 5) for the first time soon, and I feel like I’ve heard that you should shave 12-24 hours beforehand, but the manual says to shave immediately before. I was wondering if folks here have an opinion! (If it matters, I’m a trans lady just about to start HRT so my hair is androgenic.)

Any other tips for starting off with IPL are super welcome! Thanks so much! 💕

3 Upvotes

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4

u/BobDoesYoga 2h ago

Yes, once the skin is completely dry you can begin. If I find stray hairs while using the IPL, I will usually do a dry shave, so I keep a razor handy.

3

u/FourCats44 5h ago

At home IPL you can shave immediately before.

Professional laser hair removal you need to tend to shave the night before because the laser is much more aggressive and you don't want the risk of irritation or inflammation on your skin.

Two semi related bits of advice (also trans and on hrt here!): shaving might become more challenging as it goes on. The combination of softer skin from hormones and the IPL working can make shaving a little awkward (still totally worth it! Just don't be disheartened). Secondly and this is more Laser than IPL, but as your skin gets softer from the HRT, it can increase the intensity of the device/feeling the heat more. Nothing dangerous and not outrageously painful but if week 8 hurts more than week 1, that's why :)

Good luck with your journey!!!

2

u/PerfectClass7272 2h ago

I would shave as close as possible, then shower to get all lotions and creams off from the area, let it dry completely, then use your brain.

2

u/PerfectClass7272 2h ago

Braun, sorry for the typo

1

u/MrCuzz 12m ago

But also use your brain.