The same thing happens every year. May arrives, the warm weather starts and suddenly everyone wants laser to be ready by July. The problem is that laser doesn't work like that. If you start in June, you're late for summer. And I'm not saying that to scare you: I'm saying it so you can plan properly. From our salon 25 min from central Madrid.
Why laser needs time
Laser hair removal destroys the hair follicle when the hair is in its active growth phase (anagen). The problem is that not all hairs are in that phase at the same time. In any given area, only 20–30% of the hair is active at any moment. That's why several sessions spaced out over time are needed: each one reaches the hairs that are then in anagen phase.
Between sessions you have to wait 4 to 8 weeks depending on the area: underarms and bikini every 4–5 weeks, legs and arms every 6–8 weeks. It's not a protocol quirk: it's the biology of the hair cycle.
The real calendar: to notice a significant reduction in hair before summer (July–August), ideally you've completed at least 3–4 sessions. That means starting in February–March. If you start now in May, you can fit 2–3 sessions before summer, giving partial reduction. Better than nothing, and a good base for autumn.
Priority areas for your summer
Not every area needs the same number of sessions or the same interval between them. These are the most requested for summer:
- Bikini and underarms: the areas that worry people most and respond best. Between 6–8 sessions for very noticeable reduction. The sooner you start, the sooner you finish.
- Full legs: a large area that usually needs 8–10 sessions. If you start now, you'll have visible reduction by summer and finish the treatment in autumn.
- Upper lip and facial: a very responsive area. Responds well from the first sessions and cycles are shorter.
- Full bikini/Brazilian: an area that needs more sessions because of hair density, but with very satisfying results from the 3rd–4th session onwards.
My recommendation: if it's spring and you want results by summer, start now with underarms and bikini — these are the areas most appreciated at the beach and pool and the ones that respond quickest. Legs can run in parallel, knowing the complete result will arrive in autumn.
What not to do between sessions
In the weeks before and during treatment, avoid waxing, tweezing or depilatory creams (they can affect the follicle the laser needs to find active). Shaving is fine. And direct sun on the treated area should be avoided 48 hours before and after each session.
Message me and we'll work out together how many sessions you need for your area and when you want results by. No commitment.