Medically reviewed by Dr. Shervin Naderi, MD, FACS, double board-certified facial plastic surgeon. Last reviewed October 27, 2026.
As the maples along the Reston paths turn gold and the evenings grow cool, many of our patients begin thinking about next summer. Here is your guide to laser hair removal and why the weeks between Halloween and Thanksgiving are such a lovely time to begin. We suggest reading it with your own calendar in hand, since a little planning now makes the whole series feel effortless.
The short answer: fall is the best time to start laser hair removal in Reston because your skin sees the least sun of the year, and the laser works most safely and effectively on skin that is not tanned. With sessions about four weeks apart, a series that begins in early November can be complete by late March, so you can enjoy smooth skin all spring and summer without a razor in your beach bag.
In this guide
Why is fall the best time to start laser hair removal?
Fall is ideal because the laser is drawn to pigment, and a tan adds pigment to the skin that competes with the hair. When the skin is at its lightest, your provider can choose settings that reach the follicle well while keeping the surface comfortable and protected. Sweaters, long sleeves and shorter days in Great Falls and Potomac provide much of that protection for you, which is the same reason we favor the season for laser skin resurfacing.
“Patients who begin in the fall give themselves the gift of time,” says Dr. Shervin Naderi, a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon. “Every session falls in the months when the skin is quietest, so we can treat with confidence and the results build steadily toward summer.”
How many laser hair removal sessions will I need?
Most patients need six or more sessions, repeated every four to eight weeks depending on the area. Each treatment reduces regrowth by roughly 10 to 25 percent, which is why we plan your visits as a series rather than a single appointment.
Areas with thinner skin, such as the underarms and bikini line, generally respond more quickly than areas with thicker skin, such as the back and chin. Because hormones shift gradually over the years, a yearly booster session is sometimes helpful to keep your results looking their best.
Why does laser hair removal take more than one session?
Laser hair removal works by sending light into the follicle, where the melanin in the hair absorbs it and converts it to heat. That heat travels down the hair shaft to the bulb and bulge, the parts of the follicle that nourish new growth, and leaves the follicle unable to regenerate hair.
Only hairs in their active growth phase hold enough pigment to absorb the energy well, and at any given moment some of your follicles are resting. “Think of each session as reaching the follicles that are ready that day,” Dr. Naderi explains. “Spacing the visits allows the next group to cycle into growth, so over the series we gently reach nearly all of them.”
Does laser hair removal work on darker skin and lighter hair?
Laser hair removal can be performed safely on every skin tone at our practice because we use the Candela GentleMax Pro, which treats all skin types. For deeper skin tones, its longer 1064 nm YAG wavelength passes beneath the surface to the follicle while sparing the skin above it, and it is the safest wavelength available today for darker skin.
Hair color is the more important factor. Brown and black hair respond best, while red, blond, white and gray hair carry too little pigment for current lasers to target well. “We would always rather share honestly what the laser can do for your hair color,” says Dr. Naderi. “When it is not the right fit, we will gladly guide you toward an option that is.”
Which areas can be treated, and is laser hair removal for men too?
Nearly any area of the face or body can be treated, from the upper lip and chin to the bikini line, underarms and full legs. Areas are grouped by size, which keeps planning simple when you would like more than one area addressed at the same visit.
Men are warmly welcome, and our menu includes areas chosen with them in mind, such as the back, shoulders, neck and full face. An early appointment before the workday suits many schedules, whether you are coming from Arlington or Alexandria, and you can read more about our skincare for men.
How should I prepare for my laser hair removal appointment?
Good preparation begins a few weeks ahead, and our laser hair removal instructions walk you through each step. Please avoid tanning, tanning beds and sunless tanners for four to six weeks before treatment and throughout your series, and pause peels or strong skin treatments on the area for two weeks before and after each session. Retinol, tretinoin, glycolic acid and other creams that make the skin sensitive to light should be stopped one week beforehand.
Shaving is the one method of hair removal we recommend during your series, ideally one to two days before each visit, since waxing, tweezing, threading and bleaching remove the very hair the laser needs to find. On the day itself, please arrive with clean skin, free of lotion, makeup and deodorant, so the light can reach the follicle without interference.
Does laser hair removal hurt?
Most patients find laser hair removal quite comfortable. You may feel a slight sting with each pulse, and the GentleMax Pro releases a burst of cooling spray with every pulse to soothe the skin as it works. A topical numbing cream can be applied an hour beforehand if you prefer, although most patients are at ease without it.
“Comfort and effectiveness go hand in hand,” says Dr. Naderi. “When a patient is relaxed, we can use settings that truly reach the follicle, and that is how we help you finish your series in fewer sessions.”
What should I expect after each session?
A little redness and swelling around the follicles is normal afterward and usually settles within one to three days. Keep the area cool for the rest of the day, with cool compresses in 15 to 20 minute intervals and a touch of aloe vera if it suits your skin, and save hot showers and steam rooms for another day.
Makeup can be worn right away unless there is blistering, and gentle washing with cool or lukewarm water is best for the first three days. Throughout your series, please wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher whenever you are in the sun.
What results can I expect from laser hair removal?
“Our goal is a lasting reduction in hair and a simpler morning routine,” says Dr. Naderi. The hairs that remain tend to grow back more slowly, and they are usually softer and finer than before, so there is a little less to tend to after every visit.
If you live in McLean or Vienna and your winter plans include a ski week or a beach escape, simply let us know when you book. We will arrange your sessions around the trip, since a short pause that lets any tan fade keeps every visit safe.
Laser hair removal before and after photos
Who performs laser hair removal at The Naderi Center?
Your treatments are typically performed by our licensed laser technicians, who work directly with our physicians. Each plan is tailored to your skin tone and to the color and coarseness of your hair, and your settings are refined as the hair thins over the series.
“Laser hair removal looks simple from the outside, but the artistry is in the settings,” says Dr. Naderi. “Our team has many years of experience with this device, and they adjust every treatment so it is strong enough to work and gentle enough for your skin.”
Where can I get laser hair removal near McLean, Bethesda or Washington DC?
Laser hair removal treatments take place at our Reston office at 1850 Town Center Parkway, Pavillion II, Suite 551, Reston, VA 20190, (703) 481-0002, which is a gracious choice for patients from Herndon, Great Falls, McLean and the Dulles corridor.
Our Chevy Chase office at 5454 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 1655, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, (301) 222-2020, sits one block from the Friendship Heights Metro, a short trip for patients from Bethesda, Potomac and Northwest Washington DC. If Maryland is closer to home, you are welcome to begin with a consultation there, and your treatment sessions then take place in Reston. Our team would be happy to help you plan your visits around your week.
If you have been meaning to set the razor aside, the season is on your side. We would be delighted to help you plan your series, and you can book your consultation online at whichever office is most convenient for you.
Frequently asked questions about laser hair removal
How much does laser hair removal cost at The Naderi Center?
Laser hair removal is priced by the size of the area, from $150 per session for a small area, such as the upper lip, to $550 for the largest areas, such as the full legs or full back. A package of six ranges from $810 to $2,970.
How long does a laser hair removal session take?
A session takes between about 15 minutes and an hour, depending on the size of the area. Small areas such as the upper lip or chin are the quickest.
Can I exercise after laser hair removal?
We suggest a restful day after each session and saving vigorous workouts, which raise body heat, until any redness has settled.
Do my medications affect laser hair removal?
Please tell us about any oral or topical medications you take, including antibiotics. Medications that make the skin sensitive to light should be avoided for seven days before treatment, and your physician will guide you on anything to pause.
Can I begin with a virtual consultation?
Yes. If you are traveling or would like to ask a few questions first, a virtual consultation is a lovely place to begin, and your first in-person visit includes a look at your skin and hair to set your plan.