Summer and Laser Hair Removal

Summer is one of the trickiest times for laser hair removal. With the heat comes poolside tanning and beach-time sunburns, which don’t exactly make a recipe for success when it comes to laser hair removal. If you are getting laser hair removal over the summer, avoid disrupting your treatment intervals by taking care of your skin and avoiding extensive sun exposure. Telling your technician about your recent sun exposure helps you stay on your intervals while also keeping your skin healthy and safe

Sunblock

Sunblock is your best friend during the summer (and anytime for that matter!). Be sure to use a mineral sunblock that contains zinc oxide; it gives you stronger coverage and protects your skin longer from the sun’s damaging rays. If you are sunburned or tanned when you come in for your treatment, your technician is unable to treat you due to the safety concern. This is because the added heat from the laser can damage your already sun-damaged skin. Wearing sunblock daily can prevent many of the adverse reactions that can come from sun exposure combined with laser hair removal. Check out our Elta MD sunblocks in our clinics or online for great protection.

Sun Exposure

Extended sun exposure throws off your treatment intervals, resulting in less-effective results. Whether you are in the sun for 20 minutes or two hours, the UV rays can cause damage to your skin that does not combine well with laser treatments. Adverse reactions can include burns and hyperpigmentation. This is why it’s essential to wear sunblock when you are outside, even for a quick car ride to the store. Prevent throwing your intervals off by avoiding extensive sun exposure and by wearing sunblock everyday.

Sunless Tanning Products

Sunless tanning products can also have a negative effect on your treatments. The various chemicals in sunless tanning products, such as lotions or spray tans, cause adverse reactions when combined with the laser heat. Be honest with your technician about the products you are using and when you last used them.

Be Honest with your Technician

Though it may be tempting to lie about your recent sun exposure to your technician in order to stay on your treatment intervals, you are ultimately doing more damage to yourself than helping. As stated before, adverse reactions can occur if there is recent sun exposure or chemicals on your skin that the technician does not know about. If treated with the laser, adverse reactions more than likely will occur. Help us help you get the results you want by being honest and up front with your technician about sun exposure and other products you use during the summer.