The present application relates to a method for setting a cutting distance (δlaser13 skin13 opt(z)) between a laser beam (14) and a skin surface (5) in a laser shaving device (1), said laser shaving device having a laser deactivation threshold (δlaser_skin_opt(z)), said method comprising: operating an optical system (12) to generate the laser beam; determining a skin variation value (σ) indicative of the variation in the distance of the skin surface from a reference point; determining a cutting distance between said laser beam and the skin surface in dependence on at least the laser deactivation threshold and said skin variation value; and adjusting said optical system to locate the laser beam in dependence on said determined cutting distance. Determining the said skin variation value comprises the steps of generating information indicative of an ideal skin surface (Yskin(z)) and the distances from said ideal skin surface that said skin surface is; and determining a standard deviation of said skin surface distance from said ideal skin surface.