Medically Reviewed June 2023, by Corine Treacy, Apprenticeship Program Manager, for sk:n. Next review due June 2024.
One of the main reasons people opt for laser hair removal is to look great in the summer months. However, if you’re thinking about sunbathing or going on holiday before or after your treatment, it’s important to understand how the effects of sun exposure can interact with laser hair removal.
The first thing to know is that everyone’s skin is different, and will react in different ways when exposed to sunlight. That’s why it’s essential to discuss your treatment with your practitioner at length beforehand, who will let you know what’s appropriate for your particular hair and skin type.
Laser hair removal and sun exposure – Before
The best advice for those undergoing laser hair treatment is to avoid sunbathing and to limit sun exposure. We especially advise you to avoid the sun for 2 weeks before treatment. However, you can continue to have your laser hair removal treatment if you have a suntan. At sk:n, our technologically advanced lasers penetrate deep enough to bypass the epidermis allowing us to target the hair safely without damaging pigment in the skin.
It is important you stick to the frequency of your treatment plan as advised by your practitioner to get the best results. If you have a suntan, please let your practitioner know at the time of booking as you will need a skin test patch to ensure maximum safety.
Please follow the below rules:
If you have had sun exposure in the last 2 weeks which has caused a suntan in the treatment area – book a test patch 2 weeks later.
If you had sun exposure in the last 3 – 6 weeks and still have a suntan in the treatment area – book a test patch now. Your treatment can then continue 48 hours later.
You can still go out, even in summer clothes. Just make sure you wear broad-spectrum SPF for the week before treatment and avoid prolonged exposure to the sun, even if you have darker skin. This will also ensure the risk of burning and hyperpigmentation is minimised.
Sunburnt skin
You shouldn’t undergo laser hair removal if you have sunburnt skin. This is because the light energy transfer from the sun requires the skin to heal. The laser also transmits strong bolts of energy deep into the hair follicles, which can seriously aggravate sunburn.
If you already have a tan, avoid booking your treatment until it’s had time to fade. This will help make sure that you get the best results from the sessions.
Avoid sun exposure after laser hair removal treatments
After your treatment, your skin will be sensitive and will need time to heal. Excessive exposure to UV rays at this time risksdamage to your skin, so it’s highly advisable to avoid sunbathing and tanning beds.
Again, applysunscreen of at least SPF 30when you go out. Make sure you choose a quality product with protection against both UVA and UVB rays. A wide-brimmed hat and long sleeves are also advisable for about a week.
Once you’re fully healed, it’s still important to take care in the sun and protect treated skin. Avoid trying to regain your tan too quickly. By looking after your skin, you’ll make sure you stay looking your best. Any questions should be directed to your dermatologist who will be able to guide you through the aftercare process.
What if I’m travelling to a hotter climate?
If you’re travelling to a hotter climate, it’s best to let your clinic know. Depending on the amount of time you’ll be spending there and what stage you are at in terms of your treatment progress, they will be able to advise on the best course of action to minimise treatment disruption and preserve results.
Key takeaways
Avoid tanning beds and minimise sun exposure for at least 2 weeks before and after undergoing treatment.
You can continue to have laser hair removal if you have a tan, but make sure to book a patch test for 2 weeks post-tanning to find out whether it’s safe.
Be sure to wear a high SPF sunscreen and protective clothing if you need to go outdoors.
If you have sunburns, postpone your appointment until the skin has fully healed and the tan has faded.
Contact your clinic if you are due to travel to a hotter climate. They will advise what to do in order to avoid treatment disruption.
tanning using an artificial source of ultraviolet light. A tanning bed is a device that emits ultraviolet radiation to give people a tan (make their skin darker). Like the sun, a tanning bed can also cause a sunburn if the person stays in too long.
and minimise sun exposure for at least 2 weeks before and after undergoing treatment. You can continue to have laser hair removal if you have a tan, but make sure to book a patch test for 2 weeks post-tanning to find out whether it's safe.
The laser treatment transmits strong energy into the hair follicles, and this will seriously aggravate the sunburn. So, ensuring you avoid the sun before treatment will minimise the risk that your appointment needs to be moved due to sunburn.
If you're in the midst of a series of sessions (after all, it takes at least 6 treatments to achieve optimal results), it's best to avoid tanning for the entire time during which you're coming in for appointments. Once your series of sessions is totally done and you've waited for 2 to 4 weeks, you can now tan again.
It is recommended to avoid sun exposure for at least one week before and one week after your treatment to prevent unpleasant side effects like blisters, burns, and hyper-pigmentation. It's best to limit your time at the beach and wait at least two or three days after laser hair removal before you venture to the beach.
Steer clear of any sun exposure and tanning at least two weeks before and after the treatment. These make your skin more sensitive to heat, and a laser can cause burns, hyperpigmentation and scarring on heat sensitive skin.
Laser hair removal can dangerous when you have a tan because pigmentation may occur. If a person is undergoing a course of laser and has exposed their treatment area to sun it is vital their settings be adjusted.
Not only are you going to see the best results, but you'll also avoid permanent damage to your skin. “Some rules are not meant to be broken,” Niki says. “Avoid sun exposure and tanning two weeks before and two weeks after a laser hair removal treatment — period.
When choosing a physical sunscreen for laser hair removal, look for one labeled as "broad-spectrum," with an SPF of 30 or higher, and that contains Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide. By using physical sunscreen, you can ensure that your skin is protected during the treatment and avoid any unnecessary damage to your skin.
You should wait 1-2 weeks after a laser hair removal treatment session before using fake tan. It is highly recommended, as would also be advised by your dermatologist to wait at least 1-2 weeks after a hair removal laser treatment session before using fake tan.
After you have had laser hair removal done, you should also avoid sun exposure for about two weeks. This gives your treated skin a chance to heal while also reducing your risk of having hyperpigmentation or other problems occur. Remember that even if your skin does not look tanned, it is still being exposed to UV rays.
You should leave 2 weeks before going on a sun holiday following your last treatment and should wait a minimum of 6 weeks following sun exposure before recommencing treatment.
A few days following your laser hair removal treatment, you will notice what appears like new hair growth in the areas that have been treated. Amazingly, this is a sign that the treatment is working! Keep in mind that not all the hair removed by this procedure was above the skin.
Key takeaways. Avoid tanning beds and minimise sun exposure for at least 2 weeks before and after undergoing treatment. You can continue to have laser hair removal if you have a tan, but make sure to book a patch test for 2 weeks post-tanning to find out whether it's safe.
Take a shower right before your appointment and clean the treatment area, making sure to remove dirt and oil from the skin. Avoid using any skincare products (including moisturizer) after you cleanse. Avoid lotions, oils, and deodorants prior to treatment. Arrive to your appointment with clean, dry skin.
During this time, it's a good idea to avoid wearing any makeup because even sensitive-skin products can have agents that irritate skin immediately after treatment. After 24 hours, you can apply makeup — but if it causes irritation or redness, give your skin another makeup-free day to recover.
Skip the Beach: Given the risk of sunburn and tanning, it's advisable to skip beach days and prolonged sun exposure before your laser hair removal appointment.
As mentioned previously, many 'shots' based laser systems require that you forgo sun exposure completely for 6 weeks prior to treatment so if you are being treated with one of these systems then you would certainly be unable to have laser treatment with a tan which can throw your treatment schedule badly out of sync ...
We can't perform laser hair removal on sunburned or recently tanned skin. Avoiding natural sunlight and tanning beds is important in the weeks before your appointment. You also shouldn't use sunless tanners. Be sure to apply a broad-spectrum SPF30+ sunscreen on exposed skin whenever you go outside.
How long before my holidays can I have laser? How long after my holidays must I wait before having laser again? You can have Laser hair removal carried out 5 days before you go on a holiday. After sun exposure, we cannot treat the skin for 4-12 weeks.
Introduction: My name is Margart Wisoky, I am a gorgeous, shiny, successful, beautiful, adventurous, excited, pleasant person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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