When Is the Best Time to Start Laser Hair Removal? Why Fall Wins
Quick answer: Fall is the best time to start laser hair removal. Most people need six to eight sessions spaced four to eight weeks apart, so a series that starts in October finishes right around late spring, just in time for shorts and swimsuits. Fall and winter also mean less sun on your skin, and untanned skin lets your provider treat more safely and effectively. The same logic applies to laser sun spot removal and IPL photofacials. At Accelerated Aesthetics, a medical spa in Elmhurst, IL serving greater Chicagoland, we perform laser hair removal on the Candela GentleMax Pro, which treats a wide range of skin tones.
Every May, the calls start. Someone has a vacation in three weeks and wants to be done with shaving before they leave.
We love that energy. But laser hair removal is a series, not a single appointment, and the people who are actually finished by summer are the ones who started in the fall.
Here is why October is the month to begin.
Why does laser hair removal take so many sessions?
Hair grows in cycles, and the laser only disables follicles that are in the active growth phase at the moment of treatment. At any given time, only a portion of your hair is in that phase.
So each session catches a different group of follicles. Spacing sessions four to eight weeks apart lets the next wave of hair move into the active phase, and six to eight sessions is typical to catch enough of them for smooth, lasting results. Facial hair usually cycles faster, so sessions there are spaced closer together.
Do the math: eight sessions at six weeks apart is roughly ten months. Start in October and you are done by summer. Start in May and you are done by spring.
It is also one of the most popular treatments in the country. Providers performed more than 3.1 million laser hair removal procedures in 2024, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Why is fall better than summer for laser?
Two reasons: safety and results.
- Untanned skin is safer to treat. The laser targets pigment in the hair. When your skin is tanned, it carries more pigment too, which raises the risk of burns and pigment changes. Providers have to turn settings down to stay safe, which makes each session less effective.
- Aftercare is easier. You need to keep treated skin out of the sun before and after each session. That is easy in November and very hard in July.
- Your hair is covered anyway. Between sessions you can shave, but you cannot wax or pluck. That is a lot less annoying in sweater season.
Can laser hair removal work on darker skin tones?
Yes, with the right device. Our laser hair removal is performed on the Candela GentleMax Pro, which has two wavelengths: a 755 nm alexandrite laser that works beautifully on lighter skin, and a 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser designed to reach the follicle while bypassing more of the pigment in darker skin. We choose the wavelength and settings for your skin at every visit.
Our earlier post, Laser Hair Removal in Elmhurst: Everything You Need to Know Before Your First Session, walks through what the first appointment feels like.
What else should I book in the fall?
Anything that targets pigment works better on skin that is not fighting the sun. Fall is the season for:
- Sun spot removal with the GentleMax Pro, to clear the brown spots summer left behind
- IPL photofacials for sun damage, redness, and uneven tone on the face, neck, and chest (starting at $550)
- Laser vein removal for visible spider veins (starting at $750)
If summer left its mark, our summer skin damage report covers the full fall repair plan.
How do I prepare for my first laser session?
- Shave the area the day before. The laser needs the root, not the hair above the skin.
- Stop waxing, plucking, and threading about four weeks before, since those remove the root the laser is aiming for.
- Avoid sun and self-tanner for about two weeks before and after each session.
- Tell us about medications and skincare, especially retinoids and anything that makes you sun-sensitive.
Frequently asked questions about laser hair removal timing
When is the best time of year to start laser hair removal?
Fall or early winter. A typical series of six to eight sessions takes eight to ten months, so starting in October or November means you finish by late spring or summer, and lower sun exposure makes each session safer and more effective.
Can you do laser hair removal in the winter?
Yes, and it is one of the best times to do it. Skin is at its least tanned, and keeping treated areas out of the sun is easy.
How many laser hair removal sessions will I need?
Most people need six to eight sessions spaced four to eight weeks apart, depending on the area, your hair, and your skin. Occasional maintenance sessions may be needed down the road.
Is laser hair removal permanent?
Laser hair removal provides long-term hair reduction. Most treated hair does not grow back, and what does tends to come in finer and lighter. A touch-up now and then keeps results smooth.
Can I shave between laser sessions?
Yes. Shaving is fine and actually recommended before each session. Avoid waxing, plucking, and threading.
Does laser hair removal hurt?
Most people describe it as a quick snap, like a rubber band. The GentleMax Pro has built-in cooling that keeps each pulse comfortable.
How much does laser hair removal cost in the Chicago area?
At Accelerated Aesthetics, small areas start at $50 to $150 per session, Brazilian starts at $100 to $299, and full legs are $500 per session. Full body is quoted at your consultation. Cherry payment plans from $500 to $10,000 let you spread a series over time, and our financing page also lists CareCredit and Allē.
Where can I get laser hair removal near Elmhurst or Chicago?
Accelerated Aesthetics is a medical spa at 112 S. York Street in downtown Elmhurst, IL, roughly 20 minutes west of downtown Chicago and within easy reach of most of Chicagoland. Patients travel to us from Oak Brook, Hinsdale, Downers Grove, Naperville, Wheaton, Lombard, Glen Ellyn, La Grange, Western Springs, Oak Park, Berwyn, Schaumburg, Arlington Heights, Park Ridge, and the city of Chicago itself, along with communities throughout DuPage, Cook, Kane, and Will Counties. Treatments are performed by licensed professionals under the supervision of our Medical Director.
Start now, be done by summer.
Book a complimentary consultation and we will map your sessions on a calendar so you know exactly when you will be finished.
112 S. York Street, Elmhurst, IL 60126
Accelerated Aesthetics is a medical spa in downtown Elmhurst, IL, serving greater Chicagoland: the city of Chicago, the western and northwest suburbs, and communities throughout DuPage, Cook, Kane, and Will Counties.
Last updated October 2026.
