Why winter is the best time to start laser hair removal

Why a course takes months

Laser works on hairs in their growing phase, and not every hair is growing at the same time. That's why most people need around six to eight sessions, with face sessions usually four to six weeks apart and body sessions six to eight weeks apart. Coming back at the interval your practitioner recommends helps catch each new group of hairs.

So the start date matters. Begin in November and you can have four or five body sessions done by early summer. Begin in April and you may only be two or three sessions in by the end of August.

Can I have laser on tanned skin?

Yes. We use the Soprano Titanium by Alma, which Alma designed for all skin tones, including tanned skin, all year round. A tan doesn't have to pause your course, and you don't need to wait for winter to start. You can read more about laser hair removal and the Soprano Titanium on its treatment page.

A few things still matter. Your skin shouldn't be sunburnt, and fake tan needs to be fully off, so we ask you to avoid sunbeds and fake tan for at least two weeks before each session. Treated skin is more sensitive to the sun for a while afterwards, so wear SPF 30 to 50 on it for at least a week after every session.

Why winter is still the easiest time

In winter, the areas most people treat, like the legs, underarms, bikini line and back, spend most of their time under clothes. During a course you shave or trim only, and treated hairs shed over a week or two, which is far less noticeable under tights and long sleeves. There are fewer holidays to plan around too, so it's easier to keep every appointment.

From a winter start to summer

Everyone's course is different, but a winter start often looks something like this:

• Autumn or early winter: a consultation and usually a patch test, then your first session at our Chichester or Petersfield clinic.
• Through the winter: your sessions, at the intervals your practitioner sets.
• Spring: keep coming at your recommended interval.
• Early summer: most people are well into their course by now, with finer, slower regrowth.
• Summer and beyond: carry on as advised until your course is complete.

Holidays during your course

You can still enjoy the sun. If you have a holiday booked, tell your practitioner so your sessions can be timed around it, and keep treated areas covered or protected while you're away. If you come back sunburnt, we'll wait until your skin has settled. Not sure your skin is ready? Ask before your appointment, not on the day.

Where electrolysis fits, and who should wait

Laser relies on pigment in the hair, so white, grey, very light blonde and red hairs respond poorly or not at all. Electrolysis treats each hair individually with a very fine, sterile probe and works on every hair colour and skin type, so it's well suited to small areas such as the face, and to stray hairs. It takes regular sessions over several months, so autumn and winter are a sensible time to begin. Redness usually settles within a few hours, and you should keep the area out of direct sun for 48 hours afterwards. Electrolysis is offered at our Petersfield clinic.

If shaving or waxing leaves you with ingrown hairs, reducing the hair itself means fewer hairs that can grow back into the skin. See your GP if an ingrown hair looks infected, or if new, thick, dark hair suddenly starts to grow on your face or body. You may be asked to wait if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, or have sunburn, broken skin or an infection in the area. Some medicines make skin more sensitive to light, so tell us about everything you take.