Smooth face without shaving every morning:razor bumps, ingrown hairs and the Ruby laser
- Irritation after shaving and small bumps in the beard area are usually ingrown hairs: the cut hair curls and goes back into the skin.
- It is most common with thick, curly hair, in men who shave every day and in trans women who shave their beard every morning.
- Shaving right helps, but it does not make the problem disappear. As long as the root is strong, the hair grows back and can go into the skin again.
- The Ruby 694 nm laser weakens the root of dark hair. The hair grows finer and slower, so there is less to grow back into the skin.
- Ruby works on dark hair only and works best on light to medium skin.
Why shaving irritates the skin
Three different things can show up after shaving and they look alike. Razor burn is irritation of the top layer of skin: redness, stinging and dryness that usually pass within a day or two. Razor bumps (medical name: pseudofolliculitis barbae) are small red bumps, sometimes with a white head. An ingrown hair is a hair that grows sideways under the skin instead of coming out.
Why does it happen? The blade cuts the hair at an angle and leaves a sharp tip. When the hair is thick or curly, that tip curls and pierces back into the skin. The skin treats the hair as a foreign body and reacts with inflammation. It happens most along the jawline, on the cheeks and under the chin, where hairs grow in different directions.
Bumps that keep coming back can leave dark marks and even small scars. That is why it is not worth getting used to them.
Treating dark marks left by bumps →How to shave right in the meantime
Until you get to a lasting solution, a few simple habits reduce irritation. These are the recommendations of the American Academy of Dermatology:
- Soften the hair first. Shave after a warm shower or hold a warm, damp towel on the beard for a few minutes.
- Shave in the direction of growth. Against the grain feels smoother, but the sharp tip stays under the skin.
- A moisturizing shaving cream instead of soap. After shaving: rinse, a cool towel and a soothing cream.
- A fresh blade. Replace a disposable razor after 5–7 shaves and clean an electric shaver just as often.
- Shave every 2–3 days and do not let the hair grow long enough to curl.
One more tip from the clinic: do not dig into the skin with tweezers to pull out an ingrown hair. It opens the skin and raises the risk of dark marks. If the bumps do not settle even with good shaving, have your skin checked by a specialist.
Why the problem keeps coming back
These habits help, but they do not change the cause. As long as the follicle has a strong root, the hair grows back, gets cut again and can go back into the skin. Anyone who shaves daily knows the cycle: a good week, then a week of bumps.
The lasting solution is to weaken the hair itself. A fine, soft hair no longer pierces the skin. And with fewer thick hairs, there is less to grow back in.
Studies of laser hair removal in men with razor bumps showed a big improvement. In a study that compared the alexandrite laser with IPL in twenty men, the laser side reached almost 80% improvement with hardly any return after a year. Another study showed good results on dark skin with the Nd:YAG laser.
Laser facial hair removal in Tel Aviv →How the Ruby laser helps
At Taletsky we work with the Quanta System Ruby 694 nm laser. Its light is absorbed by the dark pigment of the hair, turns into heat and travels down to the root. The surrounding skin stays intact, and during treatment the Zimmer Cryo 7 cold-air cooling keeps it comfortable.
What happens after treatment? In a long-term study of the Ruby laser, the thick hairs that were treated became fine and soft, like vellus hair, and the result held after two years. No pigment changes or scars were found.
In practice: after the very first session dark hair becomes finer and grows more slowly, and the change is clear after 2–3 sessions. The Ruby spot is only 4 mm, so we work precisely on the cheeks and the beard line without touching the hairs you want to keep.
For trans women: no beard shadow, no shaving every morning
Hormones change a lot, but they barely remove beard hair. Hairs that are already thick and dark keep growing even on estrogen. That is why many trans women shave every morning, cover beard shadow with makeup and deal with bumps from daily shaving.
Laser hair removal is now seen as an important part of gender-affirming care. A 2024 dermatology review describes it as faster and less painful than older methods. Day to day it means less time at the mirror, less heavy makeup on the cheeks and smoother, calmer skin.
At our clinic we use the name and pronouns you choose. Treatment is one-on-one in a private room. Hairs that have already turned grey will not be removed by Ruby. At the consultation we check how many dark hairs there are and tell you upfront what to expect.
LGBTQ+ friendly clinic: facial hair removal for transgender clients →Facial treatments for women in Tel Aviv →For men: a clean beard line without bumps
Men who shave every day know the bumps on the cheeks and along the jaw. The Ruby laser helps in two ways:
- A sharp beard line. Only the hairs outside the line are removed, on the cheeks and above the beard. The beard itself stays.
- Fewer bumps. Where the hair curls back into the skin, Ruby weakens it and the skin calms down.
If you love your beard, you do not have to give it up. We treat only what bothers you. And if you want a completely smooth face, we can treat the whole cheeks and the beard line.
Facial treatments for men in Tel Aviv →Shaving vs the Ruby laser
| Shaving | Ruby laser | |
|---|---|---|
| The root | Stays strong, hair is back within a day | Weakens, hair grows finer and slower |
| Bumps and ingrown hairs | Come back as long as you shave | Fewer, because there are fewer thick hairs |
| Time | Every morning | A few sessions a few weeks apart |
| Beard shadow | Back within hours | Becomes sparser and lighter |
| Hair colour | Any | Dark only |
| Skin tone | Any | Light to medium |
What suits me
- Bumps now and then: try the shaving habits above first.
- Bumps every week, dark marks from them or beard shadow that bothers you: the Ruby laser, if your hair is dark.
- Grey or white hair: Ruby will not help. We will tell you so at the consultation.
Price: one zone 350 ₪*, full face 750 ₪*.
See prices →Before and after gallery →FAQ
Can I shave between laser sessions?
Yes. Between laser sessions you shave as usual. No plucking, waxing or threading, because the laser needs the root in place.
Does the laser hurt?
You feel a light sting. The Zimmer Cryo 7 cold-air cooling helps a lot and most people describe it as completely bearable.
How many sessions do I need?
A clear change is visible after 2–3 sessions. The exact number is set at the consultation based on your hair and skin.
Does the Ruby laser suit dark skin?
Ruby works best on light to medium skin with dark hair. On dark or tanned skin we check at the consultation and tell you honestly whether it suits you.
I am a trans woman on hormone therapy. Does it matter?
Hormones barely remove beard hair that is already thick, so the laser helps during hormone therapy too. Tell us about your therapy at the consultation and we will adapt the plan.
Does the laser also help existing ingrown hairs?
The laser weakens the hair at the root, so an ingrown hair weakens too. An inflamed bump should settle first, and at the consultation we will tell you when to start.
How much does facial hair removal cost?
One zone 350 ₪*, full face 750 ₪*. The final price is set after the consultation.
More tips and real results on our Instagram: @taletsky_roomtlv
Tired of shaving every morning?
A personal consultation: we check your hair and skin and tell you honestly what will work and what it costs.*
Book a consultation on WhatsAppPrices* The final price is set after a personal skin diagnosis by a specialist at the clinic.
Sources
- American Academy of Dermatology How to prevent razor bumps
- Leheta T. Comparative evaluation of long pulse alexandrite laser and intense pulsed light systems for pseudofolliculitis barbae treatment with one year of follow up. Indian J Dermatol, 2009
- Ross EV et al. Treatment of pseudofolliculitis barbae in skin types IV, V and VI with a long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser. J Am Acad Dermatol, 2002
- Dierickx CC et al. Permanent hair removal by normal-mode ruby laser. Arch Dermatol, 1998 (summary in American Family Physician)
- Yanes DA, Smith P, Avram MM. A review of best practices for gender-affirming laser hair removal. Dermatol Surg, 2024
