Laser hair removal and the sun: what precautions should you take to protect yourself?

Laser hair removal and the sun are not compatible. Therapists recommend avoiding UV exposure as it can have harmful effects on the skin both before and after laser treatment.

Find out how to protect your skin from UV rays during your permanent hair removal treatment and when to expose yourself to the sun before and after laser treatment.

Why should you avoid sun exposure during laser hair removal?

UV rays stimulate the cells responsible for producing melanin, called melanocytes, on the skin's surface. In response to this exposure, the skin develops a high concentration of melanin.

But melanin is a pigment also present in hair follicles. Laser hair removal is designed to specifically target this melanin. However, if the amount of melanin in the skin is too high due to sun exposure, it becomes more difficult for the laser beam to differentiate between the melanin in the hair and the melanin in the skin. In this case, the laser may also target the melanin in the skin, which can cause burns or other damage.

To prevent any adverse reactions, it's important to avoid excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays (natural or artificial) during laser hair removal treatment. If you do experience exposure, be sure to inform your therapist so they can plan your sessions accordingly!

Laser hair removal and sun exposure: what are the risks?

With UV exposure, melanin becomes increasingly present on the skin during the summer. Unless you protect your skin, here are the risks of laser hair removal on sun-tanned skin:

• Burns: When the skin is exposed to UV rays before and after a laser session, the risk of burning is very high. Tanned skin can be more reactive to external aggressions and may experience some irritation, particularly after severe sunburn. Laser treatment cannot be used in similar conditions.
• Hyperpigmentation: After laser hair removal, the skin becomes more sensitive to UV rays, which can cause dark spots to appear on the skin's surface and hyperpigmentation problems. This can affect dark to black skin tones much more.
• Hypopigmentation: The skin may observe the formation of light spots on the laser-treated surface.

How long should I avoid the sun before laser hair removal?

We recommend that our guests avoid sun exposure as much as possible for at least 30 days before a laser treatment. If you do have to expose yourself to UV rays, protect your skin with an SPF 50 sunscreen.

When can you go out in the sun after laser hair removal?

You'll need to wait about a month after a laser hair removal session before exposing your skin to the sun. In the meantime, your skin will have time to recover and become less reactive, preventing skin damage.

How to protect yourself from the sun after laser treatment?

If you're spending long hours outdoors or engaging in outdoor activities (hiking, kayaking, or camping), be sure to protect your skin with a high SPF, broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect against UVA and UVB rays. Don't hesitate to reapply it regularly throughout the day.

Avoid sun exposure between noon and 4 p.m., as ultraviolet rays are most powerful during these hours.

For maximum protection, wear thick, long clothing such as long dresses, pants, long sleeves, and hats to protect your face.

How to organize your permanent hair removal sessions during the summer?

If you want to have laser hair removal in the summer, you need to plan your sessions accordingly.

Dedicate your summer vacation to laser treatment

That is to say, continue the laser sessions during the summer while avoiding any form of direct exposure to the sun.

Yes, it's hard to miss out on beach days and tanning, but it's a huge commitment to long-term hair-free skin.

You will be able to fully enjoy your next summer vacation with glowing and smooth skin!

Use laser only on the least exposed areas

You can continue your laser hair removal sessions in the summer, but exclusively on the areas least or never exposed to the sun, namely the bikini line and underarms.

Note that it is also best to apply sunscreen to these areas, as UV rays can still pass through fabrics and reach the skin.

Take a break and resume your sessions in the fall or winter

If you are worried about not being able to stay out of the sun or have already planned your summer vacation where sun exposure is unavoidable, you can suspend your laser sessions and resume in winter or autumn, when your skin has detanned.

Find out why it’s more beneficial to have laser hair removal in the fall and winter.

Does suspending your laser hair removal sessions affect the results?

Many of our guests wonder, "If I take a break from laser hair removal treatments during the summer, will it affect my results?"

The answer is no, if you take a break from your laser hair removal sessions, it will not affect the results you have achieved so far.

However, you will need to follow the instructions below to maintain your results while you resume your sessions:

• apply your sunscreen every day without exception,
• avoid using wax to remove regrowth or hairs not yet treated during this break and only use a razor,
• Moisturize the skin regularly.

Check out the other contraindications to laser hair removal!