One of the primary benefits of laser hair removal is that you don’t need to shave or wax before exposing your skin to treatment. This is especially great during a midwinter getaway to a sunny locale, where you can comfortably wear clothes or swimwear that show your arms, legs, chest, and face.
If you’re in the middle of a series of laser hair removal treatments, you should be cautious about UV exposure. Tanning too soon after laser hair removal isn’t good for your skin, as it can increase the risk of irritation, sunburn, or hyperpigmentation. Additionally, getting laser hair removal on skin you’ve recently tanned can affect how well the treatment works.
Following general sun-safety tips will help you protect your skin and maximize the effectiveness of laser hair removal in New York.
How Laser Hair Removal Works
During laser hair removal, the laser emits short bursts of energy over the treatment area. The energy heats the pigment in the hair strands and damages the follicle so that it can’t regrow hair. Treatment typically works best when there is a clear contrast between the hair color and the color of the surrounding skin. The laser targets darker hair pigments without heating lighter pigments in the surrounding skin.
Laser treatment is safest and most effective when the hair is darker than the skin in the treatment area. If the skin covering the treatment area and the treated hair follicles are too similar in color, the laser may damage both the hair and the skin. This can lead to irritation, burns, hypopigmentation (dark spots on your skin) or hyperpigmentation (light spots on your skin), and scarring.
Tanning Before Laser Hair Removal
Ultraviolet (UV) exposure triggers increased production of melanin, which is the pigment that gives skin its color. The temporary increase in melanin from sun exposure causes skin to tan or develop sun-related freckles. Because lasers affect pigments, there is an increased risk of complications with laser hair removal on tanned skin. The laser might damage the skin and hair, causing redness, swelling, or burns.
We typically recommend that clients avoid tanning beds or sun exposure for at least two weeks prior to treatment. This reprieve gives you time for any increased pigmentation to fade naturally, making laser hair removal safer and more effective.
Tanning After Laser Hair Removal
So, can you tan after laser hair removal? Yes, but not right away. Here’s why.
Laser hair removal is non-invasive, and most people only experience mild discomfort during and immediately after treatment. Your skin may feel completely fine the day after treatment. However, it’s important to take good care of your skin no matter how it feels. That includes avoiding the sun and tanning beds for a minimum of two weeks after treatment.
The heat generated from laser hair removal can cause mild inflammation and tenderness in the surrounding skin. Even if the effects aren’t noticeable after a day or two, your skin still needs time to recover. It’s best to avoid exercise, stay out of pools or hot tubs, and use only the gentlest skincare products to reduce the risk of irritation or infection. Tanning beds or direct sun exposure can cause swelling or irritation, as well as increase your risk of sunburn or hyperpigmentation.
Spray Tanning and Laser Hair Removal
You may be wondering if you can get a spray tan after laser hair removal. Spray tans or self-tanners are generally a safe and effective way to get a sun-kissed glow without increasing the risk of sun damage to the skin.
However, that doesn’t make spray tans a good idea immediately before or after laser hair removal. Similar to the effects of tanning beds and sun exposure, spray-tanning pigments can increase the risk of burns during treatment. Therefore, it’s best to wait two weeks after a spray tan.
It’s best to wait until the skin fully recovers after laser hair removal before getting a spray tan. If the skin hasn’t healed, the chemicals in the spray tan solution can cause irritation. You might also end up with uneven spray tan results, which isn’t harmful but may not be the look you want.
If you frequent tanning salons and are considering going to a NYC laser hair removal center, you deserve knowledgeable professionals who balance safety and treatment effectiveness. The experienced staff at Laser by Monica can answer your questions and recommend best practices for avoiding irritation.
Contact us or visit our Madison Avenue location to book a consultation and learn more about laser hair removal in New York City.