Question
I visited an American Laser center, and they told me that on the day of treatment, I will have to shave my body parts first. Is this normal? I was interested in getting my back and chest treated, but I've never shaved those areas before. I'm concerned about how to track the laser's results if I'm removing all the hair myself, not to mention the discomfort of shaving my own back and sholders! Also, is shaving a requirement for ALL laser treatments or is it only for the kind American Laser provides?

Answer
I visited an American Laser center, and they told me that on the day of treatment, I will have to shave my body parts first. Is this normal? I was interested in getting my back and chest treated, but I've never shaved those areas before. I'm concerned about how to track the laser's results if I'm removing all the hair myself, not to mention the discomfort of shaving my own back and sholders! Also, is shaving a requirement for ALL laser treatments or is it only for the kind American Laser provides?

Answer
Whether you shave the areas or not, the areas will be shaved prior to treatment because the laser will target the dark hairs. If you have dark hair above the surface, then the laser energy will be wasted on the hair above the surface, not to mention that the burning of the hair above the surface may also burn the skin with which it is in contact.
I've been to one place where it was preferred that the area wasn't shaved. The reason for that was so that the tech could see how and the hair was growing before she shaved it. That way, she could zap the areas where hair had been growing.
If you are getting a large area done, then it may not be necessary for the tech to see where hair is simply because the whole area will be treated. The laser will be zapping, zap by zap, in throughout the entire area regardless of thick hair areas and the sparse areas. I think it easier to just "blanket" the whole area instead of having the tech looking at the entire area, marking all of the areas to be zapped, shaving the area, and then zapping.

Answer
to avoid burns and getting the best results, the area is always shaved. my doctor asks me to shave 2-3 days before the treatment so that there is just a bit of stubble right near the skin, so he can see where to treat.

Answer
My salon will shave your skin just prior to treatment - it is part of the service. They will make sure you are VERY closely shaved with as little stubble as possible!

Answer
Most places do ask you to shave and they want you to use a one blade razor, that way all the hair grows in one direction at the same time.