Laser treatments

When is the best time to start laser hair removal

Autumn is often presented as the only proper time to start laser hair removal. In practice, the season is not the most important criterion: what matters is the condition of the skin, the absence of a tan, the colour and thickness of the hair, and whether you can follow sun protection rules.

Published 5 August 2026. Last updated 16 August 2026.

A full course of laser hair removal can take around 9 to 12 months. Regardless of the month treatments start in, the summer season will most likely appear in the schedule anyway. That is why it is not always worth postponing the first visit until autumn. If the skin is not tanned and the patient can avoid intensive sun exposure, the course can also be started in summer.

The condition of the skin determines the timing, not the season

A good time to start the course is when:

• the skin is not tanned or irritated,
• there has been no sunburn,
• you are not planning intensive tanning,
• you can come back regularly for further treatments,
• the hairs contain enough pigment,
• there are no temporary contraindications.

A tan increases the amount of melanin in the epidermis, and it is the melanin in the hair that is meant to absorb the laser energy. With tanned skin, part of the energy can be absorbed by the epidermis, which increases the risk of overheating, burns or pigmentation disturbances.

Treatments are not performed on freshly tanned skin. However, this does not mean that laser hair removal is impossible throughout the whole summer. What matters is the actual condition of the skin and the possibility of protecting the treated area.

Why a full course takes almost a year

Hairs do not grow at the same time. Each one passes through successive phases of the cycle: anagen, the active growth phase, catagen, the transitional phase, and telogen, the resting phase.

The laser works most effectively on hairs in the active growth phase. During this period, the shaft is connected to the follicle structures responsible for regrowth, and the energy absorbed by the melanin turns into heat and reaches these structures.

During a single treatment, the laser only affects part of the hairs: in many areas of the body this is around 20 to 30 percent. That is why one visit cannot replace the whole course. The remaining hairs need to be treated at later visits, once they reach the right phase. Hence the gaps of several weeks: usually 4 to 6 weeks at first, later 6 to 8 weeks or longer.

The schedule depends on the area of the body. Hairs on the face, underarms, legs and in the bikini area do not grow at the same rate, so the date of the next visit is not set by the calendar alone. Observing regrowth matters too.

Can laser hair removal be started in summer

Yes, under certain conditions. Starting the course in summer can be possible if your skin is not tanned, you do not use a sunbed or self-tanner, the treatment area can be protected from the sun, you use regular sun protection, you avoid deliberate tanning, and the condition of your skin is assessed before every visit.

It is easier to carry out the course in summer on covered areas: underarms, the bikini area, the back or the chest. Areas that are regularly exposed to the sun require more caution, namely the face, calves, thighs and forearms.

Using sunscreen alone does not mean you can sunbathe between treatments. Sun protection also means spending less time in the sun, wearing protective clothing and avoiding the hours of strongest sunlight. If your skin does become tanned, the next treatment may need to be postponed.

Why it is sometimes not worth waiting until autumn

The most important argument is how long the course lasts. If the treatments are spread over nine to twelve months, summer will fall between visits anyway. Starting in autumn therefore does not remove the need to protect the skin from UV radiation in the following season.

At the start of the course, hairs are usually more numerous, thicker and better pigmented, meaning they contain more melanin, which is the target for the laser energy. After further treatments, regrowth becomes sparser, and some of the remaining hairs can be thinner and lighter, which makes them harder to heat effectively. If the course only starts in autumn, these later treatments will fall in the following summer.

This does not mean that starting in summer is always more favourable. It only means there is no need to automatically postpone the first visit by a few months purely because of the season. What matters more is that you are able to keep to a regular schedule, avoid tanning, protect your skin and stop plucking hairs between visits.

Alexandrite and diode laser

There is no single laser suitable for every skin type and hair type. The choice of technology takes into account the skin phototype, its current colour, the colour and thickness of the hair, how deeply it is set, the treatment area and the response to previous treatments.

At NL Clinic we work with two lasers for hair reduction: an alexandrite laser and a diode laser. This allows us to choose the technology before starting the course, and also to change it during the course if the characteristics of the remaining hair or the needs of the skin change.

The alexandrite laser emits light with a wavelength of 755 nm, which is strongly absorbed by melanin. It makes good use of the contrast between light skin and dark hair, so we often choose it for light, untanned skin and dark, well-pigmented hair. For the same reason, it requires particular caution with darker or tanned skin.

Diode lasers usually work in the range of around 800 to 810 nm. The light penetrates a little deeper and is absorbed to a lesser extent by the melanin in the epidermis. A diode laser can be a good choice for dark, thick hair, deeper-set follicles, large areas of the body and slightly darker but untanned phototypes. This does not mean it can be used on freshly tanned skin: we assess the colour of the epidermis and select the parameters accordingly every time.

Can the laser be changed during a single course

Yes, in justified cases. At the start, numerous, thick and deeply set hairs may dominate, for which a diode laser is suitable. After several visits, the remaining hairs can be thinner and more superficial; if the skin is light and untanned, the alexandrite laser can then be considered. The reverse scenario is also possible, when the colour of the skin, the response after treatment or the nature of the regrowth changes.

Changing the laser should result from clinical assessment, not from a predetermined scheme. Being able to work with two wavelengths does not mean that every patient has to be treated with both alternately: for some people, one technology is suitable for the whole course.

The result is not determined by the name of the device alone. Correct qualification, the choice of energy and pulse duration, effective skin cooling, regularity of treatments, the hair growth phase and following the recommendations also matter.

Indications for laser hair removal

Laser hair reduction can be considered for unwanted dark hair on the face or body, recurring ingrown hairs, irritation after shaving, pimples and inflammation related to mechanically removing hair, changes after shaving in the chin and neck area, difficulty tolerating wax, an epilator or sugaring paste, and also when you want to reduce how often you shave.

When this is not a cosmetic issue

With excessive hair growth that may have a hormonal cause, the treatment does not remove the underlying cause. The sudden appearance of dark hair on the face or body, irregular periods, worsening acne, hair loss on the scalp and other signs of androgenisation require a medical consultation and diagnostics.

Laser hair removal can then be part of a broader course of management, but not its starting point.

Which hair the laser works less well on

The laser uses the melanin in the hair, so the best response is seen with dark hair that clearly stands out from the skin colour. Weaker results are seen with grey, white, very light, red and very fine, downy hair. Grey and white hair does not contain enough melanin, so the laser has no target to heat.

Fine hair on the face and neck requires particular caution. Incorrect qualification or too little energy can carry a risk of paradoxical hair growth stimulation. That is why we do not treat every type of downy hair.

Does laser hair removal remove hair permanently

A more precise term is permanent hair reduction. The aim of the course is a long-term decrease in the number of regrowing hairs and a change in their structure: they may grow back less often, more slowly and thinner. However, it cannot be guaranteed that every hair will disappear forever.

The result is influenced by hormonal balance, age, the area of the body, the colour and thickness of the hair, skin phototype, the number and regularity of treatments, the parameters used and the individual response of the body. After the basic course is finished, some people need single touch-up treatments, especially in hormone-dependent areas: the face, neck, abdomen and around the nipples.

How to prepare for the treatment

A few weeks before. Do not remove hair together with the root: no waxing, epilating, tweezing or sugaring. The laser needs the hair to be in the follicle. Between treatments you can use a razor. During this time, avoid tanning and sunbeds, and stop using self-tanner on the treatment area.

Tell us about all the medications and supplements you take, about any previous reactions to laser treatments, about a tendency to keloid scarring, about skin conditions, infections and recurring cold sores, and about using isotretinoin now or in the recent past. Do not stop taking any medication on your own. We decide whether the treatment can be carried out during the qualification.

The day before. Shave the treatment area as instructed. The hair should stay in the follicle, but should not stick up too far above the skin, because part of it would absorb energy and additionally heat the epidermis. Do not exfoliate and do not use irritating cosmetics.

On the day of the treatment. The skin should be clean and dry, with no lotion, oil, self-tanner, perfume or deodorant on the treatment area. Before the visit, tell us about any change in your health, new medications, infection or recent sun exposure. Irritation, an active inflammatory condition or a fresh tan can be a reason to postpone the treatment.

How to proceed after the treatment

Immediately after the treatment, temporary redness, a feeling of warmth or slight swelling around the hair follicles may appear. This is a typical reaction to the transfer of thermal energy to the hair and the surrounding area.

• Gently cool the skin if it needs it.
• Use a gentle moisturising or barrier product.
• Do not rub or irritate the skin.
• Protect the area from UV radiation and avoid sunbathing.
• Avoid the sauna, hot baths and overheating the skin for the time indicated at your visit.

Do not pluck the hair. Over the following days or weeks it may gradually push out of the follicles, which can sometimes give the impression of continued growth. This is a natural stage of the skin removing it.

So when to start

There is no single best season for everyone. Autumn and winter make it easier to limit sun exposure, but they do not rule out starting a course in summer. If the skin is untanned, healthy and can be protected effectively, putting off the first treatment until autumn is not always necessary.

We make the final decision on starting treatments and choosing the laser after assessing skin phototype, skin condition, hair colour and thickness, medications taken and the ability to maintain photoprotection. The consultation and laser test are free of charge.

Can laser hair removal be started in summer +

Yes, under certain conditions. The skin must not be tanned, the treatment area must be protectable from the sun, and we assess the skin condition before every visit. It is easier to run a course on covered areas than on the face, calves or forearms.

Why the course takes around a year +

Hair does not grow all at once, and the laser works most effectively on hair in the active growth phase. During a single treatment, on many areas of the body this is around 20 to 30 percent of the hair, so the rest needs to be treated at subsequent visits.

Does the treatment remove hair permanently +

A more precise term is permanent hair reduction. The aim of the course is a long-term decrease in the number of regrowing hairs and a change in their structure. Some people later need occasional touch-up treatments, especially in areas dependent on hormones.

Does the laser work on grey and very light hair +

Weaker or not at all. The laser uses the melanin in the hair, and grey and white hair does not contain enough of it. We do not automatically qualify finer hair on the face and neck, as it requires particular caution.

About this text

This text was prepared by the NL Clinic team. Published on 5 August 2026, updated on 16 August 2026.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not replace a consultation.