What Happens If You Get Laser Hair Removal on Tanned Skin?

Planning a beach holiday but have a laser hair removal session coming up? Or maybe you’ve just enjoyed a sunny weekend and are unsure whether you should proceed with your treatment. At Citrine Clinic, we regularly meet patients who want to enjoy the sun while continuing their hair reduction journey safely.

The relationship between tanning and laser hair removal is quite complicated, though. Under the expert guidance of Dr. Niti Gaur, the founder of Citrine Clinic, we prioritize your skin’s safety above all. This is why laser hair removal on tanned skin requires extra caution and without it, results may not turn out the way you expect.

Why Tanned Skin Needs Extra Care During Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal works by targeting the melanin, which is the pigment responsible for the color of the hair.

The laser does the following:

• It heats the pigment in the hair follicle. 
• It damages the follicle. 
• It slows down the growth of hair in the future. 

When your skin is tanned, it has more melanin on the surface.

This implies that:

• The laser can focus on the skin rather than the hair. 
• The heat can spread easily. 
• The risk of side effects is increased.

This does not mean that laser hair removal is not possible. It means that it has to be done in the right manner.

What Happens If You Get Laser Hair Removal on Tanned Skin?

If you continue with a session while your skin is actively tanned, several complications may arise.

1. Increased Risk of Skin Burns

Because the tanned skin absorbs too much laser energy, it can overheat. This often results in laser burns.

2. Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH)

Your skin may also respond to the heat from the laser by producing more pigment. This causes dark spots or patches to appear on the treated skin. Although these spots may fade away in a few months, they may also be permanent.

3. Hypopigmentation

In some cases, the laser might destroy the melanin in your skin entirely. This leaves behind white, "bleached" patches. This loss of pigment is often much harder to treat than dark spots.

Different Types of Tanning

How Doctors Adjust Laser Hair Removal for Tanned Skin

Experienced clinics do not treat tanned skin the same way as untanned skin.

Here’s what’s different:

1. Selection of Laser Type

Not all lasers are suitable for people with high melanin. Some lasers are safer since they penetrate deeper and do not target the surface pigment.

2. Lower Energy Settings

The energy used by the laser is lowered to avoid damaging the skin.

3. More Gaps Between Sessions

This allows the skin time to heal and the tan to fade.

4. Patch Test Before Treatment

A small test area is treated to check skin reaction before full treatment.

Can Advanced Technology Help?

At Citrine Clinic, we employ the latest technology. These are:

• Nd:YAG (1064nm): This is safer for darker and slightly tanned skin because it has a deeper penetration and avoids the surface melanin to target the hair root.
• Diode (810nm): This is effective for coarse hair and all skin types.
• Alexandrite (755nm): This is best suited for lighter skin and lighter hair.

While technologies like the Nd:YAG are safer for pigmented skin, Dr. Niti Gaur still advises against treating actively tanned or sunburnt skin.

Post-Treatment Care for Tanned Skin

If you’ve already had your session, your skin is in a sensitive state.

• Keep it Cool: Apply cold compresses or aloe vera gel to reduce redness.
• Moisturize: Apply a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer to help protect the skin barrier.
• Stay Protected: The area that has been treated is now more susceptible to tanning and sun damage. Dress in loose-fitting clothing and apply high SPF.

Why Choose Citrine Clinic?

At Citrine Clinic, we offer:

• Expert Consultation: Dr. Niti Gaur and her team of expert professionals will examine your skin type and tanning before every procedure.
• Customized Settings: We will set the laser according to your skin condition at the time of the procedure.
• Safety First: If your skin is too tanned, we will advise you to reschedule the procedure to avoid damaging your skin.