Laser · 3 min read ·
Can you get laser hair removal with a tan?
Real tans and fake tans both affect laser safety. How long to wait and what happens if you have been away.
Quick answer: No. Avoid sun, sunbeds and fake tan for at least two weeks before laser. A tan increases the risk of burns and pigment changes and may mean your session has to be postponed.
Why a tan matters
Laser targets pigment. When the skin around the hair is darker, it absorbs more energy, increasing the risk of burns or patchy pigmentation.
Fake tan
Fake tan sits on the surface and can absorb laser energy too. Remove it fully and wait until it has faded completely.
After a sun holiday
Tell your practitioner. They may wait until the tan fades or lower the settings.
During your course
Protect treated areas with SPF 30 or higher between sessions, especially on the face and legs in summer.
Common questions
Is it safe for naturally darker skin?
Yes. Natural skin tone is different from a recent tan, and the right laser and settings treat darker skin safely.
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Written by the Skin Deep Aesthetics clinical team, 6 Carlisle Road, Derry. This article is general information, not medical advice. Book a consultation for advice about your own skin.
