We imagine many of our clients at Milan Laser want not only hair-free skin but also to show it off! It’s a reasonable desire, but to achieve the aesthetic, certain parameters must be followed during the hair-free journey. One of the biggest is laser hair removal and tanning. Sun safety and a natural skin tone are two major components of effective laser hair removal. And today we’ll shed more light on why that’s so important.

Can You Tan Before or After Laser Hair Removal?

No, you should not tan before or after laser hair removal. Tanning affects your skin’s melanin levels, which can interfere with the treatment process and increase risks of complications. It’s essential to maintain a natural skin tone for optimal results. 

Sunshine and Laser Light: The Important Connection

For a better understanding of sun safety with laser hair removal, it’s first important to learn how it works. The laser energy is attracted to the melanin in the hair follicle, and the heat from the laser targets and destroys the follicle’s growth cycle. With repeated treatments, hair will begin falling out, leaving only smooth, hair-free skin.

Why Tans Can Impact Treatment

During your consultation and before and after every treatment, your laser hair removal professional will remind you of the importance of sun safety and protection. This is not only for your safety as a client but also important to keep your hair-free goals on track.

“Whenever I go through my pre-treatment checklist, I ask the client the same questions every time they come in,” said Milan Laser Provider Educator Grace M. “I ask if they’ve had any sun exposure or tan since the last treatment because people go on vacations. It’s important to ask. 

“I also ask if they plan to have any sun exposure after that day. If someone was to have any sun exposure within a week of treatment, we would want to reschedule.”

Arriving at your appointment with tanned or sunburnt skin greatly increases the chances of a burn or other complication. The laser focuses on the melanin in the hair follicle, but if you’ve tanned before treatment, your skin has more melanin. The laser won’t know whether to focus on your skin or follicle, and the skin is likely to burn. 

The same goes for self-tanner and tanning beds. Anything that compromises your natural skin tone should not be part of your pre-treatment routine.

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...your laser hair removal professional will remind you of the importance of sun safety and protection. This is not only for your safety as a client but also important to keep your hair-free goals on track.”

Balancing Your Goals: Smooth Skin and a Sun-Kissed Glow

It’s difficult to stay out of the sun year-round, but it’s especially tough in the spring, summer, and fall when outdoor activities are in full swing. To minimize sun exposure while keeping your hair-free goals on track, consider these helpful tips:

  • Daily sunscreen: It’s great added protection against sun exposure, works on all skin tones, and protects against damage and discoloration.
  • Clothing over treated area: If you’re getting your legs treated, wear jeans, leggings, or ultraviolet protective factor (UPF) clothing. Regardless of the area, if it’s covered, its chances of maintaining natural skin tone increase.
  • Wide-brimmed hats: They provide shade and protection from the sun for your face and neck. 

Another important note: self-tanner is no better than sun exposure during laser hair removal treatments. Your skin tone has changed, and it’s very possible that you won’t be treated for your own safety. Additionally, this is a product on the skin and can’t be treated over.

And if you’d rather embrace the sunshine during the warmer months, perhaps beginning your hair-free journey during the cooler months is the preferred move. It’s much easier to maintain your natural skin tone when you know your sun exposure will significantly diminish.


Woman in a plaid shirt in a consultation at Milan after asking if she can get laser hair removal while tanning

Ready To Book Your Free Consultation?

We all love our fun in the sun, but we also love hair-free skin. That’s why it’s important to know the specifics about laser hair removal and tanned skin. We’d be happy to tell you more once you book your free consultation. As the country’s largest provider of laser hair removal with more than 390 locations nationwide, it’s easy to find a convenient location near you start your hair-free journey today!

Milan Laser consultation session

Frequently Asked Questions

The general recommendation is that laser hair removal clients minimize sun exposure for the weeks following treatment. This is to avoid negative skin reactions from the sun like pigment changes, burns, and redness.

You can’t tan during laser hair removal treatment because tanning increases melanin in the skin. If the skin has more melanin than normal, the laser won’t be able to distinguish between the skin and hair follicle. Such a scenario greatly increases the likelihood of complications.

Prolonged sun exposure following laser hair removal treatment could lead to hyperpigmentation, sunburn, and potentially compromised results during future treatments. However, if your baseline skin tone is maintained and you follow the instructions of your laser hair removal professional, you shouldn’t encounter these complications.

You can get laser hair removal any time of year, including summer. As long as your natural skin tone is maintained and you follow the instructions provided by your laser hair removal professional, you can get safely treated year-round.

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