Plan Ahead for a Problem Hair-Free Summer

So ready for summer you can’t believe it? Got your new swimsuit waiting in your closet & plane tickets in your inbox? What about your shaving routine? If you’ve resigned yourself to another summer of constant hair removal, it’s time to think bigger.

For those of us with thick or dark hair, daily shaving isn’t always enough. The hair grows back so quickly, and hair follicles can be visible underneath the skin even immediately after a shower & shave. And waxing becomes pretty tough during the summer, when you’re not interested in waiting for growth between sessions. What about a solution that actually addresses the problem at hand?

If you’ve ever considered laser hair removal, now is the time to get started. Work in a couple sessions before the beach days begin and you’ll see a solid amount of hair reduction by the time you hit the sand. Schedule a consultation today to learn more!

Laser Hair Removal for Beach Ready Legs

There are a few special considerations if you’re planning on laser hair removal right before the summertime. Treatment is still possible, but you’ll want to keep the following in mind to remove hair effectively & safely.

Getting the Timing Right

One of the components of laser hair removal that patients don’t always anticipate is the number of treatments necessary to yield ideal results. Hair growth goes through cycles, and these takes several weeks. Hair removal aims to catch the hair during a growth cycle and destroy those follicles. Treatments typically need to be spaced about 4-6 weeks apart, depending on the area being treated. There are typically 3-4 initial treatments. Then, once more than half the hair in the area has fallen out, new hair growth dictates how many additional sessions will be necessary.

Treating the legs usually yields faster results, with at least 50% of the hair being eliminated within 3 treatment sessions and 6 treatments removing 90% or more of hair. Other areas with thick hair that is close together (like the bikini area, under the arms, or the face for men) can show similar results.

Results vary based on the darkness of the hair and the skin. Don’t write off your laser hair removal chances until you’ve met with a provider – there is a wide variety of lasers and one may be right for you.

Avoiding Sun Exposure Before & After Treatment

It’s also important to avoid sun exposure prior to and after a laser hair removal treatment session. This is why most patients book hair removal sessions during the fall, winter and spring.

It’s simplest to remove dark hair from light skin. This is because the laser targets pigment in the hair follicle. If the skin is very tan, the laser won’t be able to target the hair as easily. The more difference there is between the color of your hair and the color of your skin, the better.

You should also stay out of the sun one week before and after each session. Exposing treated skin to the sun could lead to issues like hyperpigmentation, blisters, or scarring. If you’re going to be getting sun exposure, make sure to wear sun protection. Cover up whenever possible and use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 50 (even on cloudy days).