By ULIKEBEAUTY
Updated: June 3, 2024
7 minutes
Summer is incomplete without breezy dresses, swimsuits, and beach wear, so hairless skin is an essential part of a summer-ready body. However, we all have to agree that achieving hairless skin is a hassle, especially when the hair has the potential to regrow within a few weeks, no matter how you remove it.
For this, women and even men strive to get long-lasting hair removal with laser hair removal. But can you get laser hair removal in this scorching hot weather? Well, in this article, let’s find out about the possibility, safety, and tips to get laser hair removal in summer.
Table of Contents:
- Part 1: What is the Best Season for Getting Laser Hair Removal and Why?
- Part 2: Why Do People Avoid Getting Laser Hair Removal in Summer?
- Part 3: Is Laser Hair Removal Safe During Summer?
- Part 4: Can You Get Laser Hair Removal on Tanned Skin in Summer?
- Part 5: Tips for Getting Laser Hair Removal in Summer?
- Part 6: Methods Suitable for Hair Removal in Summer
Part 1: What is the Best Season for Getting Laser Hair Removal and Why?
Laser hair removal involves using coherent light waves that are converted into heat energy to kill the hair follicles. Although it is the light energy that is absorbed into your hair and comes in direct contact with the skin, it can still make your skin hot.
The best time to get laser hair removal is when the environment is cool. This could be anywhere from the end of summer to the end of spring. Furthermore, winter is the best season for getting laser hair removal out of all these seasons [1].
The reasons for winter being the best season for laser hair removal are given as follows,
- You have to grow your hair from the roots for the laser to target it. Growing hair in winter is easier without compromising your confidence in hairless skin because of winter clothes.
- The environment is cool and the tan is almost negligible in winter
- There is less sun exposure and sweating
- The pre and post-care of laser hair removal in winter is easier to follow
Part 2: Why Do People Avoid Getting Laser Hair Removal in Summer?
While you can get laser hair removal almost every season, summer at its peak would be the worst season to get it. Waiting for spring to be over to get your laser hair removal treatment could be a bad decision [2]. Thus, people avoid getting laser hair removal in summer.
Let us elaborate on the reasons behind it,
- As laser hair removal is a multi-session treatment that takes almost a year to complete, starting your initial treatments in summer is difficult because the skin with hair is more visible in summer.
- Sun exposure increases drastically in summer. No matter how much sunscreen you wear, you are likely to get tanned. Laser hair removal is not entirely compatible with tanned skin.
- One of the aftercare tips for laser hair removal is to avoid sun exposure. The skin is sensitive to UV rays and heat, and avoiding the sun in summer is not easy.
- Continuous sweating during and after the treatment can make you feel uncomfortable.
- The chances of pain and laser burns are greater in summer.
Part 3: Is Laser Hair Removal Safe During Summer?
Laser hair removal could be difficult but not impossible in summer. Laser hair removal is possible in summer with the proper precare, careful treatments, and meticulous skincare after the laser hair removal session.
Furthermore, no official guidelines recommend avoiding laser hair removal in the summer. Thus, it is safe in summer to protect your skin [3].
Part 4: Can You Get Laser Hair Removal on Tanned Skin in Summer?
The myth that laser hair removal is unsafe during the summer started from the fact that you can get tanned in the summer, and laser hair removal is not compatible with tanned skin.
In the past, older laser technologies only targeted dark areas without differentiating between hair and skin. Thus, experts did not perform laser hair removal on tanned skin.
However, times have changed, and laser hair removal technology has improved greatly. Now, you can get your hair removal treatments done on tanned skin using a 1064 nm wavelength of Nd; Yag laser [4].
Thus, you can get laser hair removal on dark skin and tanned skin in summer as well. Still, avoiding sun exposure and a deliberate tan is the key to laser hair removal in summer.
Part 5: Tips for Getting Laser Hair Removal in Summer?
There are many reasons to avoid laser hair removal during summer. But it does not mean you have to avoid it as well. Following these tips, you can get your laser hair removal treatment in summer.
1. Do not Get Tanned Before Your Treatment
Yes, you can get laser hair removal in the summer on tanned skin. However, the wavelength of light used to treat tanned skin is high and its intensity is low. Thus, the treatments will take a longer time.
In addition, the risk of burning your skin increases if you have a sun tan. Therefore, do not get tanned before your laser hair removal treatment, and try to maintain your original complexion.
2. Be More Enthusiastic Towards Sun Protection
Whether you get a tan or not, do not expose your desired skin area to the sun’s UV rays. The sun makes your skin extra sensitive, and so do laser hair removal treatments.
Doing both together increases the risk of skin irritation, inflammation, burns, and blister formation. Therefore, step up your sun protection by,
- Wearing and reapplying sunscreen regularly
- Wearing UV-protective clothes in the desired treatment area
- Avoiding to stay in direct sunlight for a prolonged time
- Use of umbrellas and sun hats
3. Follow the Aftercare Tips for Laser Hair Removal
While aftercare of laser hair removal is necessary every season, you must put more effort towards it in the summer. So, follow these aftercare tips for laser hair removal religiously in summer,
- Try to avoid sweating by staying indoors for 24 to 48 hours
- Do not take a shower or go swimming for 1 to 2 days
- Moisture the treatment area
- Drink more water and stay hydrated
4. Start Your Treatment with Underarms and a Bikini Area
It is always a wise choice to avoid laser hair removal in areas directly exposed to the sun daily. For example, face, arms, and legs. However, if you still want to begin your laser hair removal treatment in the summer, start with the hidden area.
Thus, get your underarms and bikini lines treated first.
5. Follow Your Healthcare Laser Practitioner’s Instructions
The best tip for getting laser hair removal is to choose a reputable salon. After that, discussing all your concerns regarding lasers with your laser practitioner is important.
Moreover, the doctor will advise you on pre- and post-care tips for removing laser hair. Follow those tips to make laser hair removal safer in summer.
6. Be More Careful During the Downtime of Laser
Laser hair removal has a downtime of 24 to 48 hours, during which your skin heals from the harsh effects of laser hair removal. It is important to be careful during this time as it will help your skin recover and prepare itself for future hair removal sessions. We have already mentioned the aftercare tips for laser hair removal above.
Part 6: Methods Suitable for Hair Removal in Summer
If you regret not getting your laser hair removal sessions earlier, consider these hair removal options.
IPL Hair Removal Devices
Ulike Air 10 IPL hair removal Device can help you achieve a long-lasting hairless body within a few weeks with its powerful yet comfortable treatment sessions. Its lightweight and ergonomic design and travel-friendly packaging add to its benefits.
Shaving
Shaving is a quick and easy method of getting rid of unwanted body and facial hair in summer. Most of the time, you can shave your body hair while you take a shower, and it will give you smooth skin within a few minutes.
Waxing
Although a little messy, waxing is also a suitable hair removal choice for summer. It removes the hair from the roots, gently exfoliates the skin, and allows you to enjoy a hair-free body for up to a month.
Conclusion
There is no doubt about the safety of laser hair removal in summer allowing you to initiate your treatments in this hot weather. However, you have to be extra vigilant if you want to avoid the side effects of lasers caused by UV exposure, tanning, and sweating.
We mentioned the tips for getting laser hair removal in this article and summer-friendly options.
References
- 5 Reasons Why Winter is Best for Laser Hair Removal. Cornwell Skin Clinic. https://lasercliniccornwall.co.uk/when-is-the-best-time-to-start-your-laser-hair-removal-journey
- THE BEST TIME OF YEAR FOR LASER HAIR REMOVAL. ASHLEY GREER. Carbon World Health Blog. https://www.carbonworldhealth.com/blog/best-time-of-year-for-laser-hair-removal
- What You Need to Know About Laser Hair Removal In Summer. by Laser Clinics United Kingdom on January 24, 2021. https://www.laserclinics.co.uk/blogs/what-you-need-to-know-about-laser-hair-removal-in-summer/
- Can I Get Laser Hair Removal in the Summer? BodyLase. https://getbodylase.com/can-i-get-laser-hair-removal-in-the-summer/
