Can you have laser hair removal in summer or on tanned skin?

Laser hair removal is not possible on tanned skin: at the Centre Laser Valbonne, no session is carried out if the area to be treated has been exposed to the sun in the previous two weeks. In summer, sessions remain possible, provided the treated areas are well protected from the sun. Autumn and winter are, however, still the best times to start a treatment course.

Why is tanned skin a problem for the laser?

The laser targets melanin, the pigment in the hair. But tanning increases the amount of melanin in the skin itself. On tanned skin, the skin therefore absorbs part of the energy intended for the hair. The risk is twofold: a burn, and lasting marks, most often brown, more rarely light.

How long should the sun be avoided before a session?

At least two weeks. And if the skin is very tanned, you will need to wait for it to lighten, which can take longer. If the area has been exposed in the previous two weeks, the session cannot be carried out: let the centre know before your appointment so it can be rescheduled. Beta-carotene food supplements, often taken to prepare the skin for the sun, are also contraindicated throughout the treatment course.

Can you go in the sun after a session?

Just after a session, the skin is more fragile and more likely to react with brown marks. Protect the treated areas with SPF 50 sunscreen throughout the treatment course, even on cloudy days. And keep in mind the rule of two weeks without sun exposure before the next session.

Is summer a bad time to start?

It is the most demanding season, with the beach, the pool and light clothing. Areas covered by clothing, such as the underarms or bikini line, are easier to protect than the legs or arms. Ideally, start in autumn: a good part of the treatment course is then completed before the following summer.

Are tanning beds and self-tanners also contraindicated?

Yes. Tanning beds tan the skin exactly as the sun does: they are not allowed throughout the treatment course. Self-tanners do not tan, but they colour the surface of the skin, which can interfere with treatment: avoid them on the areas to be treated in the weeks before a session.

Frequently asked questions

Can my legs be treated in summer if I always wear trousers? Yes, provided your legs really stay out of the sun. A single day at the beach in the two weeks before the session is enough to rule it out.

Can I go to the beach between sessions? Yes, if the treated areas stay covered or protected with SPF 50 sunscreen, and provided you do not expose them in the two weeks before the next session.

Are "sun preparation" supplements allowed? No. Beta-carotene food supplements are contraindicated throughout the treatment course.

Should I stop the treatment course during the summer holidays? No. The date of the last session before your holidays is adjusted with you: it takes place at least two weeks before sun exposure begins, and so that no more than 12 weeks pass before the next session, on your return. Beyond 12 weeks, some of the hairs would have entered the resting phase and the treatment would lose effectiveness. A bonus: the treated hairs have time to fall out, and you can enjoy your holidays hair-free.

Free and compulsory preliminary consultation — booking via Doctolib. Book an appointment on Doctolib