Ask the Doctor: Laser hair removal

Q: I was advised not to undergo laser hair removal during the summer, but to wait. When is best time of year to have laser hair removal performed?a: Laser hair removal is best done when you will be having minimal sun exposure. We do perform laser hair removal year-round in our office, but patients must be very careful about their level of sun exposure, because the procedure can result in burns if performed when the patient is too tanned. Frequently, we suggest patients return in the fall when they are no longer tanned. That doesn't mean that they should come back on the day that the pool closes, as it will take at least one to two months for most people's tans to fade! It sounds as though your dermatologist is doing a good job, as it was in your best interest to wait.