The Best Areas to Laser in Summer (and Which to Hold Off On)

Every summer, the same myth makes the rounds: you can't have laser hair removal once the sun comes out. It's one of the most common things we get asked — and it isn't true. You can absolutely laser in summer. The real question isn't when you treat, but which area you treat.

Some areas are perfectly suited to summer because they never really see the sun. Others catch UV daily and need a little more planning. This guide breaks down exactly which areas are best to laser right now, which to be careful with, and how to keep your skin safe through the season.

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Can you have laser hair removal in summer?

Short answer: yes — with the right care. The thing that decides whether an area is summer-friendly isn't the calendar, it's sun exposure.

Laser hair removal works by a process called selective photothermolysis: the laser targets the pigment (melanin) in your hair follicle, heating it until the follicle is disabled. The catch is that tanned or sun-exposed skin contains more melanin too so on sun-kissed skin, the laser can't always tell the difference between the pigment in your hair and the pigment in your skin. That's why dermatologists and laser clinics consistently advise avoiding sun exposure before and after treatment: working on sun-sensitised skin raises the risk of irritation, burns or changes in skin tone. Keep the skin out of the sun, and that risk drops right away.

Worth knowing: our Soprano Titanium laser uses three wavelengths including the Nd:YAG 1064nm that's widely recognised as the safest option for deeper skin tones so summer treatment isn't off the table if you have darker or melanin-rich skin. Your therapist will confirm the best approach for you at your patch test.

Which is why the smartest approach in summer is simple: prioritise the areas that stay covered, and be more careful with the areas that don't.

The best areas to laser in summer

These areas spend most of their time under clothing or swimwear, so they pick up little to no sun. That makes them low-risk to treat at any time of year including the height of summer.

Underarms the best place to start

If you start one area this summer, make it your underarms. They're one of the most popular laser areas there is, and one of the quickest — a session often takes under ten minutes. The skin is thin, so it can feel a little sharper than elsewhere, but cooling keeps it comfortable and it's over fast. Most people notice a real reduction after just a few sessions, and underarms get almost no accidental sun, making them genuinely low-risk in summer. (Skip deodorant, heavy sweating and friction for a day or so afterwards.)

Good to know: quick to treat · minimal sun risk · noticeable results early.

Bikini, Brazilian & Hollywood

The bikini area is one of the most-requested zones for women and summer is exactly when most people want it sorted. A session typically takes 15–30 minutes depending on how much you're treating: a bikini tidies the edges, a Brazilian removes most of the hair (often leaving a strip), and a Hollywood takes everything. It's a sensitive area, but cooling and short pulses make it very manageable, and it puts an end to the ingrown hairs and irritation that come with waxing and shaving. Because it stays under swimwear, it's summer-safe just wear full-coverage bottoms by the pool and apply SPF if there's any chance of exposure.

Good to know: ends waxing before holidays · reduces ingrowns · stays covered in summer.

Back & shoulders

Back and shoulders are the single most-requested male area, and demand is climbing. The hair is dense, it's genuinely impossible to shave yourself, and it stays under a t-shirt day to day so it's a low-risk summer choice. It's a larger area, so sessions run longer (roughly 30–60 minutes), and because it's a "hormonal" zone with thick, coarse hair, it usually needs a full course sometimes a few extra sessions for lasting results.

Good to know: no more awkward self-shaving · stays covered · best treated as a full course.

Chest, stomach & buttocks

These areas stay covered and are well suited to treatment year-round. They're popular with men wanting a cleaner, smoother finish, and with anyone tired of shaving or waxing spots that are awkward to reach and prone to irritation. Like the back, the chest is a hormonal area, so it responds best over a full course.

Areas to treat with extra care in summer

You can still treat these in summer but because they catch the sun, they need more diligence with sun protection, and it's often worth timing sessions around any holidays.

• Face and upper lip your face gets daily UV, so strict SPF and sun avoidance around each session is essential.
• Lower legs prime tanning territory in shorts-and-skirt weather.
• Forearms often exposed without you thinking about it.
• Neck and décolletage easy to forget, and frequently sun-exposed.

None of these are off-limits. They simply call for a sun-smart routine and a bit of scheduling which your therapist will help you plan.

What makes laser less effective (whatever the season)

Two things matter more than the time of year:

1. Sunburn and fake tan. Active sunburn needs to heal before treatment, and fake tan has to be fully off — it sits on the skin's surface and gets in the laser's way. A real tan, though, is far less of a barrier here than at most clinics: because our Soprano Titanium is designed to treat tanned and melanin-rich skin safely, we can often still treat you when others would turn you away. A patch test lets us set the laser correctly for your skin on the day — so always tell your therapist about recent sun exposure rather than hiding it.
2. Hair colour. Laser targets the pigment in the hair, so it works best on dark hair. It's far less effective on blonde, red, grey or white hair, which contains little or no pigment for the laser to find.

If either applies to you, a consultation is the best way to set realistic expectations before you commit to a course.

Your prep and aftercare checklist

Whatever area you're treating, these habits keep your skin safe and your results on track:

1. Avoid direct sun for around two weeks before and after each session.
2. Wear SPF 30+ (we recommend SPF 50) daily on any exposed treated areas even when it's cloudy.
3. Skip the fake tan and sunbeds fake tan should be fully off for at least a week before treatment.
4. Stop waxing and plucking the area for about four weeks beforehand. Shaving is fine it leaves the root intact for the laser to target.
5. Shave the area around 24 hours before your session, unless your therapist tells you otherwise.
6. Keep cool afterwards no hot showers, saunas or intense workouts for 24–48 hours.
7. Moisturise with a gentle, fragrance-free product (aloe vera is lovely for cooling).

How many sessions and why now is a smart time to start

Laser hair removal works over a course of sessions typically around six, sometimes more depending on the area and your hair spaced four to six weeks apart, because the laser can only target hair that's in its active growth phase. That means a course usually spans several months.

Here's the part most people miss: starting in summer means you'll be several sessions deep or finished by the time next year's holiday season arrives. You'll also beat the autumn rush, when appointment books fill up fast. Far from being the wrong time to start, summer is one of the best.

Frequently asked questions

Can I sunbathe between laser sessions? It's best avoided. Sun exposure on treated areas raises the risk of side effects and can affect your results, so keep treated skin protected and save the sunbathing for after your course.

Can I have laser if I already have a tan? Often, yes. Many clinics turn away tanned skin, but our Soprano Titanium is designed to treat tanned and melanin-rich skin safely, so a tan is rarely a dealbreaker here. Active sunburn does need to heal first, and a patch test lets us set the laser correctly so always tell your therapist about recent sun exposure.

Which area should I start with in summer? Underarms are the ideal starting point minimal sun exposure, quick to treat, and one of the most satisfying areas to stop shaving.

Is summer or winter better for laser hair removal? Both work. Winter makes sun avoidance easier for exposed areas like the face and legs, but covered areas (underarms, bikini, back) are perfect to treat in summer so the best time really is whenever you're ready to start.

Ready to go smooth for summer?

As a dedicated laser hair removal clinic, we'll assess your skin and hair at a consultation and patch test, recommend the right areas to start with this summer, and build a plan around your plans holidays included. We also run seasonal packages on our most popular areas, including underarms, bikini and back & shoulders see our current offers and pricing.

👉 Book your consultation today at our London clinic (Marylebone, near Baker Street) or Birmingham clinic (Hagley Road).

New to laser? Start with our guide to what to expect at your laser hair removal consultation, or read what really happens during your first laser session.