Laser Hair Removal Q&A
69%
WORTH IT RATING
"Worth It Rating" shows the % of consumer reviewers that stated the procedure was "Worth It" or not. See more RealSelf Worth It Ratings or Add Your Review
237 Reviews
Laser Hair Removalbefore & after photos
View Before and Afters

Average Laser Hair Removal Cost: $1,325

Learn about Laser Hair Removal

993 people and 239 doctors are talking about Laser Hair Removal

Get Free Email Updates

Best Season to Get Your Hair Removed - Winter or Summer?

asked 1 year ago by Melbourne in Melbourne, 07
Latest answer by Michael Sullivan, MD
Question viewed 451 times
Tags: weather

8 answers to Best Season to Get Your Hair Removed - Winter or Summer?

+2

Least tan is best season

Some lasers (ex. Alexandrite) specifically seek out the dark pigment in hair. These work well when the skin is light, because there is less risk of damaging the surrounding skin. Other lasers (ex. Yag) do not have such an attraction for the pigment, and can therefore be used with slightly darker skin tones. These typically may be slightly less effective, and may require more sessions. Bottom line: Your best bet is to avoid tanning if you are interested in... more
Christopher J. Peers, MD

South Bend Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

Best season for hair removal is one with least sun exposure

Laser hair removal depends on the laser seeing the difference between the color of the hair and the color of the skin.  The closer those are, the more difficult for the laser to tell the difference, and the more risk of complications. The recommendations are no sun exposure for 4 weeks before and 2 weeks after laser hair removal.  In addition, no self-tanner, as that will also affect the laser's ability to see the hair follicule. When the skin has more than its... more
Emily Altman, MD

Short Hills Dermatologic Surgeon
+2

No best season for laser hair removal

No one undergoing laser hair removal should get a tan in between the sessions because that will change the settings needed during the next treatment and increased energy can be deposited on the surface of the skin causing a problem. That said, there are many people who live in sunny climates year round and get laser hair removal. In the colder climates, people are more reluctant to ruin the nice days by having a treatment which can leave them spotted red for a few days
Ronald Shelton, MD

Manhattan Dermatologist
+1

Laser hair Removal

Laser Hair Removal can be done any time of the year based on what works best for your schedule. Be sure to follow the instructions given to you.
Michael Sullivan, MD

Columbus Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Laser hair removal season doesn't matter: just avoid tanning.

Any tan on the area of treatment will not only increase the risks of burning and decrease the effective target for the laser, but will change the settings that should be used, and therefore increase the risks of problems even further. This means, in winter, going on a sunny vacation should be avoided, and in summer, getting any sun should be avoided, while the entire course of laser hair removal is still going on.
Jessica J. Krant, MD, MPH

Manhattan Dermatologic Surgeon

www.ArtofDermatology.com

+1

Laser hair removal anytime, as long as you are not tan

Laser hair removal can be done anytime of the year-- as long as your skin is not too tan.  Hair removal lasers work by selectively targeting the dark pigment of the hair follicles, while avoiding the pigment of the skin.  This is why it works best when patients are fair skinned with dark hair.  If your skin tends to get tanned in the summer (which is a no-no anyways!), it is best to avoid hair removal lasers during that time of the year.  You are more likely to get... more
Margaret Mann, MD

Cleveland Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Winter and Spring are the best seasons to have laser hair removal

Winter and Srpring are the best seasons to have laser hair removal, especially if you are treating an area that receives sun exposure. Because the sun stimulates melanin production in your skin, thus tanning your skin, sun exposure is a major contraindication for laser hair removal. This is due to the laser's affinity for dark color. If you have laser hair removal when your skin is at its lightest, it minimizes the chances of any skin color changes and also allows the... more
Dan Mills, MD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+1

Season for hair removal

The seasonal timing of when you do your hair removal really doesnt matter.  For the first 48-72 hours after laser hair removal you need to protect from direct extended sun exposure to avoid pigment issues regardless of the season. Sunscreens with zinc will do well to protect and you can treat anytime.  For those wanting hair removal so that they will not have to shave for bikini lines, men's backs etc for the summer it is best to start your treatments at least 4-6 months... more
Shawn Allen, MD

Boulder Dermatologist

Ask a question