When Should You Start Laser Hair Removal for Summer?
The honest answer is earlier than almost everyone does. Most people book laser hair removal in October or November, expecting to be finished by December. The arithmetic does not allow it, and no clinic can change that — it is biology rather than scheduling.
Here is how the timing actually works, so you can plan properly rather than be disappointed.
The short version
Six to nine months from first session to finished course
Most areas need six to eight sessions. Sessions are spaced four to six weeks apart on the body, and sometimes closer on the face.
Six sessions at five weeks apart is thirty weeks — roughly seven months.
To be comfortably finished by December, the first session should be in March or April. Starting in October means finishing around May.
Why it cannot be rushed
Laser targets the pigment in the hair and travels down the shaft to the follicle. That only works while the hair is in its active growing phase. At any given moment only a portion of the hair in an area is in that phase — the rest is resting or shedding, and those follicles are effectively invisible to the laser.
This is the whole reason for multiple sessions. Each one catches a different portion of hair as it cycles into the growing phase. Booking sessions closer together does not speed it up; it simply treats the same follicles twice and wastes a session.
It is also why nobody can promise you a number in advance. Hair thickness, colour, hormones and the area being treated all change how many sessions you need. Six to eight is typical. Some people need more, particularly on hormonally influenced areas like the face and chin.
A realistic timeline
| If you start | You will finish around | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| March | September / October | Comfortably summer-ready. The ideal window |
| April | October / November | Still comfortable |
| June | December / January | Tight. Last sessions land mid-summer |
| August | February / March | Not ready for this summer. Ready for the next |
| October | April / May | A full cycle out. Plan for next summer |
If you are reading this in October, that is useful information rather than bad news. Starting now means you are finished before next winter and comfortably ahead for next summer, which is a far better position than starting next September and repeating the same problem.
Can you have laser during summer?
You can, but it comes with real conditions, and this is where people get caught out.
- Treated skin is more sensitive to sun for several weeks afterwards, and sun exposure during a course raises the risk of pigmentation changes
- Laser cannot be performed on recently tanned or sunburnt skin. A tan changes how the laser reads the skin and increases the risk of burns
- This matters more in South Africa than almost anywhere. Our UV index is high for much of the year, and a beach weekend between sessions can postpone a treatment.
- If you do treat through summer, daily high-factor sunscreen on the treated area is not optional, and sessions may need rescheduling after a holiday
Winter courses are simply easier. Less sun, more clothing, fewer cancelled sessions — which is another reason the March to September window works so well.
How many sessions by area
At Skin Reform a course is typically eight sessions, six weeks apart. As a general guide, larger body areas with coarse hair often respond within six sessions, while facial and hormonally influenced areas commonly need more and may need occasional maintenance afterwards.
- Underarms and bikini: typically among the faster areas
- Legs and back: larger areas, similar session counts, longer appointments
- Upper lip, chin and jawline: often need more sessions, and maintenance is common
What it will not do
- It will not remove every single hair permanently. The accurate term is permanent reduction — significantly less hair, finer and lighter where it remains
- It will not work on white, grey or very fair hair, because there is not enough pigment for the laser to target
- It will not stop new hair appearing if a hormonal change prompts it. That is new growth, not a failure of the treatment
- It will not deliver its result after one session, however good that session is
Getting the most out of your course
- Shave the area the day before. Do not wax, pluck or thread — those remove the follicle the laser needs to find.
- Keep your appointments on schedule. A missed session pushes the whole course back, because the cycle does not wait.
- Avoid sun exposure and self-tan for two weeks before and after each session.
- Expect the hair to appear to grow for one to three weeks afterwards. That is treated hair shedding, not regrowth.
- Tell your practitioner about any medication changes. Some medications increase light sensitivity.
Cost
Laser hair removal at Skin Reform starts from R300 per small area per session, with course pricing available. Full pricing for every area is published on our price list — we would rather you knew before you came in.
Common questions
Is it permanent?
It is permanent reduction rather than permanent removal. Most people are left with significantly less hair, and what remains is finer and lighter. Occasional maintenance sessions are normal.
Can I shave between sessions?
Yes, and you should. Shaving is the only hair removal method compatible with a laser course.
Does it work on dark skin?
Yes, with the correct device and settings. This is assessed at consultation rather than assumed, and it is one of the reasons we do not book a first session without seeing you.
What if I miss a session?
Book the next available slot and carry on. You have not undone your progress — the course simply takes longer.
Book a free consultation
Laser hair removal is available at all four Skin Reform clinics — Sandton, Greenstone, Centurion and Cape Town. Your consultation is free and gives you a realistic session count for your skin and hair rather than a guess.
This article is for general information and does not constitute medical advice. Individual results vary. Suitability for any treatment is determined at consultation.