Start Laser Hair Removal Now and Ditch Your Razor by the Summer

You’ve probably already booked your beach vacation or started planning pool parties for the warmer months ahead. But if you’re still shaving every few days, dealing with razor burn, or struggling with ingrown hairs, summer might feel more stressful than relaxing.

At Saluja Cosmetic and Laser Center in Cornelius, North Carolina, Raminder Saluja, MD, and our team use the Motus AY laser system to permanently reduce unwanted hair. Starting your treatment series now gives your hair follicles time to respond to the laser before warm weather arrives, putting you on track for smooth, hair-free skin when you need it most. 

Below, we break down everything you need to know about hair growth and laser hair removal.

Why hair growth cycles matter

Your hair doesn’t all grow at the same rate or on the same schedule. At any given moment, some follicles are actively growing while others rest dormant beneath your skin’s surface. Laser hair removal only works on follicles in their active growth phase, which means multiple sessions spaced several weeks apart catch different follicles as they cycle through growth periods.

Starting in February gives you enough time to complete most of your treatment series before summer. Most people need several sessions for optimal hair reduction, with appointments scheduled 4-8 weeks apart depending on the treatment area.

Winter offers ideal treatment conditions

Tanned or sun-exposed skin absorbs more laser energy, which increases your risk of burns, hyperpigmentation, and other complications. Your winter skin tone — when you haven’t spent months at the pool or beach — offers the safest conditions for laser hair removal.

The Motus AY system at our practice uses a 755 nm Alexandrite laser with Moveo technology that is FDA-cleared for all skin types, including darker tones from Fitzpatrick IV through VI. This gradual heating approach delivers energy through continuous contact rather than sharp pulses, making treatments comfortable while protecting melanin-rich skin from thermal damage.

Protecting your skin from sun exposure

You need to avoid direct sun exposure and tanning beds throughout your entire treatment series. Plan to:

• Skip self-tanners for at least two weeks before each session
• Apply broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher daily to treated areas
• Postpone appointments if you get sunburned
• Avoid the sun for 48 hours after each treatment
• Cover treated areas when spending extended time outdoors

These precautions protect your skin and ensure consistent results across all your sessions.

Between sessions: what happens to your hair

Make sure to shave before each laser appointment so the energy targets your hair follicles instead of getting absorbed by hair on your skin’s surface. This feels counterintuitive when you’re trying to get rid of hair permanently, but surface hair actually interferes with treatment effectiveness.

Between sessions, you’ll notice treated hair falls out gradually over 1-2 weeks. New hair grows back finer and sparser after each treatment. Most people find they shave less frequently and experience much less regrowth as they progress through their series.

You can’t wax, pluck, or thread during treatment because these methods remove the hair follicle that the laser needs to target. Stick with shaving or trimming only.

Long-term results and maintenance

Laser hair removal permanently reduces, but doesn’t always eliminate, unwanted hair. Most people experience 80% hair reduction after completing their initial series, with remaining hair growing back much finer and lighter than before treatment.

Hormonal changes, medications, or other factors can trigger dormant follicles to start producing hair years after your treatments end. Annual maintenance sessions address any regrowth and keep your skin smooth long-term.

Schedule your laser hair removal consultation in Cornelius

Starting laser hair removal now means you'll spend your summer enjoying the pool instead of hiding in the bathroom with a razor. At Saluja Cosmetic and Laser Center, we use FDA-cleared technology and nearly two decades of laser experience to deliver safe, effective hair removal for all skin types.

Call our Cornelius office at 704-584-4071 or request an appointment online to begin your treatment series this winter.