Laser Hair Removal - Dangers of Having it With a Suntan

As you prepare for laser hair removal, one of the most important things you can do is lose your tan; and avoid getting a new one.

Laser Hair Removal Works Best with Dark Hair and Light Skin

Laser hair removal works by sending a low-energy laser beam into the skin. The beam's energy is absorbed by the darkest pigmented areas that it finds. You want that area to be your hair follicles. By having light skin and dark hair, the hair follicles are an easy target and the laser hair removal surgery will be a success.

If your skin is tanned, the laser will be equally attracted to your skin and your hair. Your skin will effectively steal the laser's energy that is meant for the hair follicles; giving you poor results and possible skin damage.

Serious Laser Hair Removal Dangers - Bruising and Burning

If ineffective results aren't enough to convince you to abide by the "no tan" rule, maybe the potential for bruising and burning of the skin will. This damage can occur when the laser targets your tan skin. By having your skin as light as possible, the laser will ignore the skin and work on the hair as it is intended. Your skin will be left unharmed.

When to Start Losing the Tan

You'll want to start losing your tan 4-6 weeks in advance of your surgery - more if your tan tends to take a while to fade. Wear sunblock religiously leading up to your surgery date. Self tanning lotions 2 weeks or more in advance are usually okay as self-tans typically do not last as long as a regular tan. It is recommended that you experiment well before your surgery to see exactly how long your particular lotion lasts. Remember, the goal is to be completely tan-free on the day of your procedure.

Another benefit of staying out of the sun is that your hair will not be sun-bleached; the darker your hair, the better.

There are Options if You MUST Have that Tan

If you find it nearly impossible to be tan-free for you appointment, ask your doctor if he offers the new laser hair removal technology that bypasses your outer layers of skin and goes deep into the hair follicle. This technology uses the longest available laser wave length and was developed for patients with darker skin and has proven effective on those with tanned skin.

Another option you have if you can't bare being pale in the summer months is to schedule your laser hair removal during the cooler times of year when perhaps being tan isn't as much of a priority.

When you Can Resume Tanning

You will want to remain tan-free and continue to use sunblock for the duration of your treatments. Being the treatment can make your skin sensitive to the sun, it is also recommended that you avoid direct sun exposure for 2 weeks after your final treatment; this includes tanning beds. Your skin may also be irritated by self-tanning lotions following your procedure, so avoid using those for the two weeks as well.

By keeping your skin light and your hair dark, your laser hair removal is sure to be a success.

Would you like to learn more about the potential hairremovalsurgery.net laser hair removal dangers? If so, check out our growing collection of articles at the hairremovalsurgery.net Hair Removal Surgery Guide.