Beach days, vacations, and more time outdoors can make summer feel like a complicated time to start laser hair removal. You do not necessarily need to wait for fall, but your sun exposure becomes an important part of the conversation. In Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, AesthetiSpa Cosmetic Skin & Laser Center offers laser hair removal for many skin tones and areas of the body. Our founder and medical director, Christy L. Cone, MD, has extensive training and certification with multiple laser platforms.
Why Does Tanning Matter?
Laser hair removal targets pigment associated with the hair follicle. A recent tan changes the amount of pigment present in the skin, which can affect how we approach your appointment.
Our pre-treatment instructions recommend avoiding tanning and prolonged sun exposure before laser procedures. Sunburned skin should not be treated, and self-tanner also needs to be completely removed from the area.
Instead of trying to judge whether you have gotten “too much” sun on your own, tell us about recent beach trips, outdoor events, tanning, or sunburn. We can determine whether your skin is ready or whether it would be safer to move the appointment.
How Can You Prepare During the Summer?
A little planning can make it easier to stay on schedule.
- Protect the treatment area from the sun. Follow the sun-avoidance timeframe our team gives you before and after your appointment.
- Skip self-tanner. The skin needs to be clear of artificial tanning products before a laser session.
- Shave instead of waxing or plucking. Removing hair from the follicle can interfere with the laser’s target. Shaving keeps the follicle intact.
- Tell us about new medications. Some antibiotics and other medications can increase photosensitivity and affect when treatment can be performed.
- Arrive with clean skin. Lotions, deodorant, fragrances, cosmetics, and similar products may need to be removed from the area beforehand.
Our Treatment Tips provide additional preparation instructions for laser and light-based procedures.
Think Beyond a Single Appointment
Laser hair removal requires a series because hair follicles move through different growth stages. That means summer planning is not only about the day of your first visit.
If you have a beach vacation or several outdoor weekends coming up, let us know when scheduling. We can help you think through the timing of your sessions and the sun exposure in between them. Our article on how many laser hair removal sessions you may need provides more information about the treatment series.
Consistent sunscreen use also matters throughout warmer months. Our guide to preventing sun damage covers everyday protection, and we carry EltaMD® sunscreen options for different skin needs.
Fit Laser Hair Removal Into Your Summer Plans
Summer laser hair removal is largely about planning ahead and protecting your skin. If you have questions about tanning, an upcoming vacation, or when to begin a series, call AesthetiSpa Cosmetic Skin & Laser Center in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, at 843-849-9925. You can also contact us before scheduling.
