Why winter is the best time to start laser hair removal

Laser hair removal might not be the first thing on your mind when you’re wearing five layers and hibernating with Netflix most nights of the week. But we like to let our clients in on a secret hack: winter is actually the best time to start lasering.

While you’re wrapped up warm, you can quietly prepare your skin for its smoothest summer yet. The colder months make laser easier, safer and give you better results overall. Here’s why it’s the perfect time of year to get your skin summer-ready. 

Low sun exposure

It’s important to avoid sun exposure and skin tanning as much as possible for the duration of your treatments (so from patch test through to your last laser session).

This is because we tailor the laser level exactly to your skin tone and hair colour. If your skin tone changes between sessions, this increases the chance of irritation, pigment changes, and could even cause blistering.

We recommend waiting four weeks after sun exposure (yes, that includes sun beds!) before you get lasered again. 

But the good news is, Scottish winters make avoiding the sun easy! You can still use fake tan in between sessions if needed, but just make sure you remove it completely before your laser appointment. It usually takes a few days of scrubbing/exfoliating to ensure it’s all gone, so don’t leave that part till the last minute! And give your freshly exfoliated skin a day or two of rest before coming to see us.

Quick fake-tan test: We recommend using an oil-based micellar water on a cotton pad and scrubbing. If you see any residue on the cotton pad, your skin isn’t ready for laser. 

No appointment interruptions   

Consistency with your laser appointments at the start (particularly sessions 1-3) is key to seeing great results. If you start your laser journey but only squeeze in one session before heading off on holiday, your hair growth cycles won’t sync properly and your results will take longer.

That’s why we normally recommend you take a break from your laser sessions over the summer if the area is exposed (though this doesn’t always apply to areas like bikini or underarms as they’re easy to keep covered).

When you don’t have to pause for sunshine, you get quicker and better long-term results – which is why winter is the ideal time to get started on a new area.

Cold weather means comfy clothes & happy skin

Before and after laser hair removal sessions, loose comfortable clothing is your best friend. You want to keep the area cool and protected from the sun as much as possible, which is much easier to do in winter than trying to layer up in July.

Colder temperatures mean less sweating too, which can irritate freshly-lasered skin. So swap the leggings for loose, comfy joggies on the days you come to see us and avoid the sweaty gym sessions on those days too.

Perfect timing for summer-ready skin 

Laser hair removal is a time investment. You need multiple sessions with breaks in between to let your hair go through its growth cycle (four-week breaks for face; six-week breaks for body areas). Starting in winter means you’ve got plenty of time to fit in the sessions you need before swimsuit season rolls around.

Most people need around six sessions to get the results they want (but everyone’s different, which is why we offer pay-as-you-go laser pricing so you only pay for what you actually need).

Start your treatment this winter and by the summer, you’ll be hair-free and care-free. No shaving or waxing – just smooth, summer-ready skin.

Book in for a free patch test and consultation to start your hair-free journey.