Can I Tan if I Cover the Portion of my Body That is Getting Laser Hair Removal?

I have very light skin and I suffer from Folliculitis on my chest. Tanning is my last result and it's been the only thing that helps. I have tried everything for over two years now. I want to try to the tanning bed perhaps once a month. I know, I know tanning is bad for you. In addition to that, next Thursday I will begin my laser hair removal on my bikini line. I was wondering if I put sun screen on the area and then put a towel of my bikini line would it be okay for me to still use the tanning bed?

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folliculitis coverage tanning

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4 Doctor Answers | Asked by samIam5

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When is tanning okay?

To directly answer your question, if you don't change your skin's pigment where you're going to receive the the hair removal, then yes technically you could use the tanning bed. It's when the skin has been compromised we can not. However, "tanning" is a result of DNA damage to your skin. I strongly recommend avoiding the tanning bed for your health. Folliculitis is an infection in the hair follicles and we have a variety of options on how to treat it without the dangers... more

Tanning while getting laser treatments

Changing and darkening your skin tone can absolutely affect your laser hair removal. Even by covering the area you want to get the laser done to, some UV light will go through sunscreen and towels and darken the area and therefore have an affect on the laser and possibly allow you to burn. Regardless of if you cover the areas or not, you must tell your treating facility that you tan. The laser will need to be turned down, and frankly, you're going to need extra treatments merely because the... more

No tanning with laser hair removal

Of course you should not be tanning, especially if you are considering laser hair removal. Tanning after your treatment will cause hyperpigmentation and if your skin color has changed after tanning, it will affect the laser settings, with a chance of burning. You must tell the technician if you are going to tan. You should consult a dermatologist for the folliculitis on your chest.

Tanning & Laser Hair Removal

Hi Sam. Tanning at the same time as laser hair removal is not a good idea. Covering the area to avoid getting tanned is a step in the right direction, but any sun exposure in this area so close to the treatment will increase the risk of a negative side effect. Better to tan after the laser hair removal (still covering the area) than before. If you wait several weeks after tanning before you go back for laser hair removal, this will help decrease your risk as well. more