By Viktoria
Updated: August 20, 2024
6 minutes
Preparing skin for IPL treatment is crucial to achieving the desired results. Shaving is the most common method to trim long hair and let the IPL target hair follicles. Various options are available for shaving, including a blade, a manual trimmer, depilatory creams, and an electric trimmer. There are many concerns about the electric razor being used, including whether it is safe to use before IPL. Does it affect any results? Is there any side effect of electric current before the IPL absorption? In this article, let us clear up your confusion.
Table of Contents:
For IPL, Can Electric Razors Replace Traditional Shaving?
To answer this question confidently, we need to check the pros and cons of both electric razors and manual shaving blades. However, both shaving techniques use the same principle, which is to cut the hair above the skin surface. However, additional benefits can be seen with electric razors for women because of their hypersensitive skin and soft hair. An electric razor and a manual razor differ in the following ways:
| Aspect | Electric Razor | Manual (Traditional) Razor |
| Shaving results | Does not provide hair removal close to the skin and leaves the skin with tiny, harsh hair. | Provides hair removal close to the skin surface and leaves the skin softer afterward. |
| Irritation | The procedure is gentle and does not cause any post-irritation. | Improper techniques can lead to skin irritation and the formation of follicular cysts or ingrown hair. |
| Accessibility |
Quick and easy to use
Does not require water or shaving creams. |
requires shaving or depilatory cream, water, and a proper technique to shave. |
| Sensitive Skin | Recommended for women with sensitive skin | Not recommended for sensitive skin |
| IPL Effectiveness | Hair that is not properly shaved can limit the transfer of IPL energy to the hair follicle. | It provides a smoother surface, and IPL works better by targeting the hair follicles. |
| Duration | Faster | Takes time |
| Cost | for the electric razor only. | For blades and shaving cream. (every time) |
| Post-Shave Care | Only moisturizer is required. | It requires complete rinsing, hydration, moisturization, and sometimes gentle exfoliation. |
Can I Use A Men’s Electric Razor For Women Face Or Body?
Everyone has busy schedules; sometimes women do not find enough time to first shave with a razor sitting in bathtubs and then do IPL. It is not suitable for women to sometimes use men’s electric razors because of differences in body sensitivity and body hair types. Innovations in the electric industry have always provided convenience to customers, which includes introducing electric razors specifically designed for women. There are targeted devices, such as electric razors for women’s faces, electric razors for women’s legs, and electric razors for women’s bikinis, also available on the market. There is a little difference as to why you should not use men’s electric razors on women’s faces.
| Aspect | Men’s Electric Razor | Women’s Electric Razor |
| Design & Ergonomics | Designed to deal with the coarser, thicker hair | Designed to deal with areas like legs, arms, and underarms. |
| Blades | Strong and durable | Fine and dull blades |
| Shaving heads | small and precise for areas around the chin, jawline, and under the nose. | larger to cover more surface area quickly. |
| Motor Power | More powerful motor | Comparatively less powerful |
| Attachments and Features | Includes trimmers for sideburns, beards, and mustaches. | include a bikini trimmer head and an exfoliation brush. |
| Skin Sensitivity | minimal irritation | Designed with hypoallergenic blades or foils. |
| Targeted Areas | Primarily used for facial hair, including the beard, mustache, and sideburns. | Designed for larger body areas like legs, arms, underarms, and the bikini area. |
| Aesthetics | Often comes in darker and more masculine designs. | softer, more feminine colors and designs, |
Should I Use an Electric Razor for Women Before IPL?
It is important to have the hair length cut close to the skin surface for IPL to work efficiently. Close shaving before IPL ensures better outcomes with the procedures. Which method works best for IPL? Electric razor or manual shave? Let’s compare the results in the context of skin:
Skin Texture
A group of women were asked to share their reviews of skin texture after shaving their body hair with an electric razor and with a manual shaving blade. Women who used electric shavers designed for women’s legs and arms shared that this did not provide them with softer or smoother skin. However, the skin was rough, and irregular body hair length was noticed, which produced patchy outcomes with IPL afterward. On the other hand, women who shaved their legs and arms with regular manual blades noticed smooth and soft skin and provided a perfect environment for IPL to glide and transfer energy to the follicles. No patchy outcome was observed with IPL afterward.
Skin Irritation or Sensitivity
Electric razors are designed with safe blades and a protective foil to prevent any cuts or skin irritation, especially the ones for women. However, when used improperly, they can cause little discomfort or irritation. On the other hand, shaving with manual razors and blades requires a procedure and a skill to avoid nicks or cuts. This skin irritation will be increased with IPL afterward, resulting in follicular trauma and eventually more hair growth. For shaving, you need to prepare your skin, including exfoliation, applying shaving creams, and then using sharp blades in the direction of hair growth. This is quite a time-consuming procedure as compared to using electric razors. Therefore, electric razors are better for women who have sensitive skin.
Irregular Hair Removal
Electric razors leave hair with irregular lengths on the skin surface, which in turn can decrease the efficiency of IPL. More laser sessions are required if you are using electric trimmers or razors for shaving before laser treatments. For IPL to work efficiently, you need to have smooth, even, and freshly shaved skin.
What Do Dermatologists Have To Say About Using Electric Razors For Women Before IPL?
Dermatologists and experts always suggest preparing the skin for IPL treatments and improving its efficiency. The shorter the hair length (as close to the skin as possible), the greater the impact of IPL and the lesser the irritation.
Field experts suggest both of the methods to be a safe option, but it depends on how to use them. Based on people’s reviews, some preferred electric razors over traditional shaving methods in terms of saving time and IPL efficacy. Once you learn the technique of using an electric razor, no irregular hair or hair bumps will be left.
Conclusion
Women can safely and effectively shave with an electric razor prior to IPL, as long as the shave is close enough to adequately prepare the skin. Electric razors are more convenient and less likely to cause cuts and irritation but they can leave a small amount of stubble, which could affect how well IPL treatments work. However, you can achieve the best results by carefully choosing a premium electric razor and paying close attention to details, like doing a last touch-up with a manual razor if necessary. To get the most out of your IPL treatments, you must take skin sensitivity into account and consider professional advice.
Myths vs. Facts
Myth: Electric razors for women’s faces cause thicker facial hair growth.
Fact: Shaving with an electric razor only removes hair at the surface of the skin, leaving a blunt tip of the hair. When this blunt tip regrows, it appears to be more noticeable and thicker. Scientific studies support that any type of shaving does not cause any effects on hair color, hair growth rate, hair thickness, or even on the follicles. The myth is only dependent on visual misperceptions. However, hair thickness and hair growth rate are dependent on factors like hormonal fluctuations, genetics, or other medical conditions.
Myth: Electric Razors Lead to Less Effective IPL Treatments
Fact: If the hair above the skin surface is not close to the skin after shaving with any shaving method, it will impact the IPL effectiveness. When used properly, a qualitative electric razor for women can provide close shaving results, thus providing better results with IPL.
