Want Smoother Skin by Next Summer? Now Is the Time to Start Laser Hair Removal
If you are tired of constantly shaving, dealing with ingrown hairs, or planning your schedule around waxing appointments, laser hair removal can be a practical long-term solution.
But laser hair removal is not a one-time treatment, and it is not something you should wait until summer to start.
Because hair grows in cycles, successful laser hair removal requires a series of treatments performed over several months.
If smoother skin is one of your goals for next summer, starting during the fall or winter gives you time to make meaningful progress before warmer weather arrives.
How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?
Laser hair removal uses concentrated light energy to target pigment within the hair.
The energy travels down the hair shaft toward the follicle, where it creates controlled heat that damages the follicle and reduces its ability to produce future hair.
The treatment works best when the hair is in its active growth phase.
The important thing to understand is that not all of your hair is growing at the same time.
At each appointment, we are targeting a different group of actively growing hairs.
That is why one treatment cannot remove all unwanted hair.
Why Do You Need Multiple Sessions?
Hair naturally moves through different growth cycles.
Only a percentage of hairs are in the ideal stage for laser treatment during each appointment.
As additional follicles enter the active growth phase over the following weeks, they become available to target at your next session.
For this reason, most patients require a series of approximately 6–12 treatments, although the exact number varies.
Factors that can influence your treatment plan include:
Treatment area
Hair colour
Hair thickness
Skin type
Hormonal factors
Previous hair-removal methods
Individual hair-growth patterns
Consistency with your treatment schedule
Some areas may respond faster than others, while hormonal areas such as the face may require additional sessions or maintenance.
What Laser Do We Use at Prestige?
At Prestige Laser & Skin Clinic, we use the Lutronic Clarity II platform for laser hair removal.
Clarity is a dual-wavelength system using:
755 nm Alexandrite laser and 1064 nm Nd laser
This allows treatment parameters to be customized for a broad range of skin types and hair characteristics. Lutronic describes the Clarity platform as a dual-wavelength system designed for applications including hair removal across different skin types.
The system also incorporates cryogen cooling, which delivers cooling to the skin during treatment to help improve comfort and protect the skin surface.
The goal is not simply to use a powerful laser.
The goal is to select the appropriate wavelength, settings, timing, and treatment interval for your individual skin and hair.
Is Laser Hair Removal Safe for Different Skin Types?
Modern laser technology has made it possible to safely treat a much wider range of skin tones than older generations of devices.
The Clarity platform offers both Alexandrite and Nd wavelengths, which gives trained providers more flexibility when selecting parameters for different skin types.
However, your skin should still be assessed before treatment.
Skin tone, recent tanning, sun exposure, medication use, and hair characteristics can all affect which settings are appropriate.
This is why we recommend beginning with a consultation.
What Areas Can Be Treated?
Laser hair removal can be used on many areas of the face and body, including:
You can treat one area or several areas as part of the same treatment plan.
Does Laser Hair Removal Hurt?
The sensation varies depending on the treatment area, hair density, and individual sensitivity.
Many patients describe it as a brief snapping or warm sensation.
The cryogen cooling system used with the Clarity laser helps cool the skin during treatment and improve comfort.
Areas with dense, coarse hair may initially feel stronger because more laser energy is being absorbed by the hair.
As the amount of hair decreases throughout your series, treatments may also begin to feel different.
How Should I Prepare for Laser Hair Removal?
Preparation matters.
Before your appointment, you will generally be asked to shave the treatment area.
Shaving removes the visible hair above the skin while leaving the follicle underneath intact for the laser to target.
You should avoid methods that remove the hair from the root, such as:
Waxing
Tweezing
Threading
Epilating
These methods remove the target the laser needs.
You should also inform your provider about:
Recent sun exposure
Tanning
New medications
Antibiotics
Changes in your health
Skin irritation in the treatment area
Can I Shave Between Treatments?
Yes.
In fact, shaving is generally the recommended method of hair removal between laser sessions.
It does not interfere with the follicle underneath the skin and allows you to manage visible regrowth between appointments.
Avoid waxing or plucking throughout your treatment series unless your provider tells you otherwise.
What Happens After Treatment?
Temporary redness or mild warmth around the treated follicles can occur after laser hair removal.
You may also notice the treated hairs appearing to grow for several days afterward.
This does not necessarily mean the treatment failed.
In many cases, treated hairs gradually loosen and shed from the follicles over the following days or weeks.
You may begin noticing:
Slower hair growth
Less dense regrowth
Finer hairs
Patchier areas
Less frequent shaving
The reduction becomes progressively more noticeable as you move through your treatment series.
Does Laser Hair Removal Help With Ingrown Hairs?
It can be particularly helpful for people who regularly experience ingrown hairs from shaving or waxing.
Ingrown hairs occur when hair becomes trapped underneath the skin or grows back into the surrounding tissue.
Repeated shaving and waxing may also contribute to:
Razor bumps
Redness
Irritation
Dark marks
Inflammation
By reducing the number and thickness of hairs growing from the follicles, laser hair removal can help reduce the ongoing cycle that contributes to ingrown hairs.
Is Laser Hair Removal Permanent?
Laser hair removal is more accurately described as long-term hair reduction.
Many patients experience a significant and lasting reduction in unwanted hair.
However, it is not realistic to guarantee that every follicle will permanently stop producing hair.
New or recurrent hair growth can occur due to factors such as:
Hormonal changes
Pregnancy
Menopause
Certain medical conditions
Age
Genetics
Some patients therefore choose occasional maintenance treatments after completing their original series.
Will Laser Hair Removal Work on Blonde, Grey, or White Hair?
Laser hair removal depends on pigment within the hair to absorb laser energy.
This means darker hair generally responds better because it contains more melanin.
Very light blonde, grey, red, or white hair may respond poorly or may not respond at all because there may not be enough pigment for the laser to effectively target.
This is another reason an assessment before purchasing a treatment series is important.
Why Is Sun Exposure Important?
Sun exposure can affect laser treatment because tanning increases pigment within the skin.
This can change how the skin absorbs laser energy and may increase the risk of unwanted reactions.
During your treatment series, you should:
Avoid intentional tanning
Avoid tanning beds
Use broad-spectrum sunscreen
Protect exposed treatment areas
Tell your technician about recent sun exposure
If you have recently tanned or had significant sun exposure, your appointment may need to be postponed or your treatment settings adjusted.
Why Fall and Winter Are Great Times to Start
One of the most common mistakes is waiting until late spring to start laser hair removal because summer is approaching.
By then, you may only have time for one or two treatments.
Starting in the cooler months provides several advantages.
You Have More Time
Because treatments are spaced apart, starting months before summer gives you time to complete multiple sessions.
Less Sun Exposure
Most people naturally spend less time tanning during fall and winter, which can make it easier to follow laser safety guidelines.
You Can Reduce Hair Before Summer Arrives
As your series progresses, you may already notice substantially less hair and less frequent shaving before the next summer season.
If your goal is smoother legs, underarms, bikini area, or other areas by summer, starting several months ahead is much more realistic than starting at the last minute.
How Often Are Laser Hair Removal Treatments?
Treatment intervals depend on the area because hair growth cycles differ across the body.
Facial areas may be treated more frequently, while body areas generally require longer intervals.
Your technician will recommend a schedule based on your treatment area and how your hair responds.
Staying reasonably consistent with that schedule helps us target new hairs as they enter the active growth phase.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
You may be a good candidate for laser hair removal if you:
Want to reduce unwanted facial or body hair
Are tired of frequent shaving
Experience recurring ingrown hairs
Want a longer-term alternative to waxing
Can commit to a series of appointments
Are willing to follow sun-protection recommendations
The best results generally occur when there is enough pigment within the hair for the laser to target.
When Should You Start?
If you are thinking about laser hair removal, the best time to start is before you urgently want the result.
Do not wait until your summer vacation is three weeks away.
Give the treatment time to work through multiple hair-growth cycles.
Starting during fall or winter gives you several months to progress through your treatment plan before shorts, swimsuits, weddings, vacations, and warmer weather return.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many laser hair removal sessions will I need?
Many patients require approximately 6–12 treatments, although your individual recommendation will depend on the area, hair, skin type, hormones, and response to treatment.
Can I shave after laser hair removal?
Yes. Shaving is generally permitted between sessions once the skin feels comfortable.
Can I wax between appointments?
No. Waxing removes the hair from the follicle and can interfere with the laser's ability to target it at your next session.
How soon will I notice results?
Many patients begin noticing reduced or slower regrowth during their first few treatments, but meaningful hair reduction develops progressively throughout the series.
Does laser work on all hair colours?
No. Laser requires pigment in the hair, so blonde, white, grey, and some red hairs may not respond adequately.
Can I have laser hair removal in the summer?
Potentially, but sun exposure and tanning must be managed carefully. Your technician should assess the skin before each treatment.
Can men have laser hair removal?
Absolutely. Common areas for men include the back, chest, shoulders, neck, beard line, abdomen, and other areas of unwanted hair.
Less Shaving. Fewer Ingrown Hairs. Easier Maintenance.
Laser hair removal is not about achieving completely hairless skin overnight.
It is about progressively reducing unwanted hair so maintaining your skin becomes easier.
For many patients, that means fewer ingrown hairs, less irritation, less frequent shaving, and more freedom from the constant cycle of temporary hair removal.
At Prestige Laser & Skin Clinic in Burnaby, BC, we begin with a complimentary consultation to assess your skin and hair and determine the most appropriate treatment plan.
If your goal is to have significantly less hair by next summer, now is the time to begin rather than waiting until summer arrives.
Ready to Get Started?
Book your complimentary laser hair removal consultation and let us create a treatment plan based on your skin, hair, and goals.
Burnaby, BC604-553-3433
Comments