In the salon
Best time of year to start hair removal: summer or winter?
In short
When is the best time of year to start hair removal?
Autumn, for most areas. A course is long: according to Innovatione, 6–8 treatments on dark hair and 8–10 on light hair, at intervals of 6–8 weeks. By these figures, a course on dark hair takes about 7–13 months from the first to the last treatment, and on light hair about 10–17 months. A course started in autumn has most of its sessions in the darker months, when the treated skin is easier to keep away from the sun. A fresh or intense tan is a reason to postpone a session, because tanned skin absorbs more of the light meant for the hair. Hair removal in summer is possible on areas that are not tanned and are protected from the sun, such as the bikini or underarms, if the protocol allows. The same logic applies to laser and IPL devices. A longer course crosses a summer, so the plan should say what happens to each area then.
IPLASER hair removal: course, intervals and contraindications
How long does a full course take?
| Hair | Treatments | Interval | From first to last treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark | 6–8 | 6–8 weeks | About 7–13 months |
| Light | 8–10 | 6–8 weeks | About 10–17 months |
The length is simple arithmetic: the number of intervals between treatments multiplied by the interval. Six treatments have five intervals between them, so six treatments at six-week intervals take 30 weeks. The exact course depends on the area, the skin and the hair, and the specialist plans it.
Why autumn is the best start
Light-based hair removal works through melanin. A tan adds melanin to the skin, so tanned skin absorbs more of the light meant for the hair, and an intense tan is in the list of contraindications. A course started in autumn has most of its sessions in the months when the skin is least tanned and easiest to protect from the sun.
The areas that are most in the sun, the legs, arms and face, gain the most from an autumn start.
Can hair removal be done in summer?
Yes, with care. Areas that usually stay covered, such as the bikini or underarms, can often be treated in summer, if they are not tanned and the protocol allows. Areas in the sun need protection between sessions, and a session on tanned skin is postponed until the tan fades, as the specialist decides.
| Area | In summer |
|---|---|
| Bikini, underarms | Often continued, if not tanned and the protocol allows |
| Legs, arms | Postponed if tanned; a new course is best started in autumn |
| Face | In the sun every day, so sun protection between sessions matters; the specialist decides |
| Back, shoulders | Postponed if tanned, for example after a beach holiday |
The full before and after rules are in the article on sun and tan.
Before a holiday
Plan sessions around trips to the sun. The treated skin needs protection from the sun after a session, and a fresh tan from the holiday is a reason to postpone the next session on that area. Tell the specialist about travel plans at the consultation, so that the dates can be fitted to the protocol.
For the salon: planning the year
- In spring, talk to clients about which areas will be in the sun, and plan their sessions around holidays.
- In summer, keep treating covered areas, and postpone tanned ones.
- From late summer, start new courses on the legs, arms and back.
- After the summer, check for a tan at each visit and do a test flash where the protocol requires it.
- Give clients a written sheet with the rules on sun and tan.
A course started in autumn has most of its sessions behind it by the summer.
Questions and answers
Is it better to do hair removal in summer or winter?
For most areas, starting in autumn or winter is easier: the skin is less tanned and easier to protect from the sun. Covered areas can often be treated in summer too.
Can you do hair removal in summer?
Yes, on areas that are not tanned and are protected from the sun, such as the bikini or underarms, if the protocol allows. Tanned areas are postponed.
How long does a full course take?
By Innovatione’s figures, about 7–13 months on dark hair and 10–17 months on light hair, from the first to the last treatment.
Can I have a session before a holiday?
Plan it with the specialist. The treated skin needs sun protection after the session, and a fresh tan postpones the next session on that area.
Why is a tan a problem?
Tanned skin holds more melanin and absorbs more of the light meant for the hair. An intense tan is in the list of contraindications.
This material is for general information and is not medical advice. The treatment decision is made by a specialist at consultation. Checked on 11 November 2026.
