No two travelers are alike. Different interests and standards mean that one person’s dream vacation is another’s nightmare. But what all travelers have in common is the desire to feel comfortable and confident during their trip.

Your grooming and self-care routine is a big part of that, but it can also complicate your plans. Hair removal is particularly troublesome, especially if it’s a daily need. For travelers, laser hair removal easily beats out all other methods, by ensuring you’ll be hair free throughout your trip and beyond.

If you’d like to plan a smoother journey, here’s everything you need to know about laser hair removal as a traveler, no matter your travel style.

Benefits of Laser Hair Removal for Frequent Travelers

You probably already know about the main benefits of laser hair removal, like its lasting effects and targeted results. There are also a few benefits to this treatment that will be particularly useful for frequent travelers:

Spend more time enjoying your trip

The best thing about laser hair removal is that it gets you extremely smooth without constant effort. The last thing you should worry about on a trip is finding a waxer or needing to shave awkwardly in a cramped hotel shower. By undergoing laser hair removal, you can make sure you’ll always have more time to enjoy your travels.

Save money in the long term 

If you’re a dedicated, life-long traveler, you want to put every penny into your passion. Laser treatments can seem costly in the short term but they can save you money over time thanks to their long-lasting results. Whether you normally shave, wax, or epilate, laser usually comes out to be the most affordable long-term option.

Carry less

As carry-on limits get stricter, travelers are learning to pack less and less. Laser hair removal can save you the need to carry your hair removal razor or shaving cream. Plus, it can leave more room for another liquid item, like perfume or another bottle of sunscreen.

Always look put together 

It’s easy to feel like a mess when you travel long-term — most people don’t look great after running around in airports and living out of their suitcase. But no matter how hectic things get, you’ll be able to feel a lot more put together knowing that unwanted face or body hair is never an issue.

Embrace spontaneity 

For some folks (especially long-term or solo travelers), one of the greatest pleasures of travel is being able to fly by the seat of your pants. Laser hair removal makes it easy to change your plans at a moment’s notice. You’ll be able to add in a spontaneous trip to the beach or a last-moment visit to the clubs without having to rush back to your rental for a shave.

Laser Hair Removal for Travelers vs Other Methods

If you’re on the fence between laser hair removal and other options, here’s a quick explainer that’ll help you decide which treatment is better for you.

Shaving: Many travelers bring their razors and shaving accouterments with them on their trips, and shave as needed.

In recent years, however, limits on weight and liquids have made packing a toiletry bag difficult, especially if you’ll be flying with a carry-on only. Leaving your razor and shaving cream at home will simplify your packing and give you more space.

And anyway, laser hair removal is clearly superior to shaving. It eliminates stubble, delivers smoother results, and reduces razor burn and bumps. Over a lifetime, it also saves a lot of money, especially if you normally use pricy cartridges.

Waxing or sugaring: For many travelers, scheduling a wax or sugaring appointment right before a vacation used to be a go-to choice. The results normally lasted for 2-3 weeks before hair regrowth would become apparent again. This can make a lot of sense before shorter trips.

However, when comparing waxing or sugaring to laser, these treatments can be quite expensive over time and often lead to skin irritation or ingrown hairs. They won’t keep you smooth for the entirety of a longer trip, so you’ll need to figure out a hair removal solution once you’re abroad.

Electrolysis: Electrolysis is the only other hair removal method with lasting results. However, treatments are very time-consuming, so most people who choose electrolysis only treat very small areas or light hairs that won’t respond to laser.

Planning Your Treatment Schedule Around Trips

Figuring out your hair removal strategy before your trip is key. Your laser hair removal results depend on you sticking to a schedule while undergoing treatment. You’ll need to come in for appointments once every 4-6 weeks until you reach your hair reduction goals.

Each client will need a different number of laser sessions, based on factors like skin type, genetics, and the treatment area. Either way, you need to get treated consistently for at least several months if not longer.

In other words, the best time to start your laser hair removal treatments is long before you take to the sky. Alternatively, you can fit in your treatments between your travels. You can easily fit in a three-week vacation between laser appointments (as long as you watch out for sun exposure).

Choosing Laser Providers While Traveling 

Some people get laser treatments when away, especially if traveling long-term. If possible, it’s better to stay consistent with one provider, especially for your first series of treatments. Unfortunately, that doesn’t align with every traveler’s lifestyle.

If you’re mostly traveling within the United States, SEV has locations in most major cities, and we’ll be happy to help you stay smooth.

If traveling outside the US, be very careful when choosing providers. Safety standards vary from country to country, and language barriers can lead to risky or costly misunderstandings. Only get laser hair removal if you’re confident that you can research the technologies, read reviews, and communicate with your provider.

Managing Sun Exposure Before and After Travel

Unprotected sun exposure carries big risks, from sunburn and premature aging to skin cancer. Pairing it with laser hair removal can increase the chances of negative or long-lasting side effects, whether before or after your treatment.

Always practice your sun protection habits religiously while undergoing laser hair removal. Don’t book a beachy resort vacation for the week after you’ve had a treatment, for instance, and keep in mind that your provider might refuse to treat you if you pick up a tan.

To protect your skin, here are some post/pre-laser key sun protection tips.

  • Avoid direct sun exposure for 2-4 weeks before and after laser hair removal.
  • For the highest level of protection, try to keep all laser-treated skin covered with UPF-rated clothing or hats.
  • Apply sunscreen to all areas that might get exposed to the sun.
  • Your skin needs to be at its lightest natural skin tone, so avoid tanning (this includes sunless tanners).

Can I Go On Vacation After Laser Hair Removal?

Yes, you can still go on vacation after laser hair removal. Be mindful of potential aspects of your trip that could irritate your recently lasered skin, from sun exposure as we’ve already discussed, to tight clothing or harsh skincare. If you’ve only recently started the laser hair removal process, you may not reach your desired results in time.

Laser for Travelers at SEV 

Whether you’re heading on vacation, a business trip, or a voyage around the world, laser hair removal will ensure you have a smoother journey. Plan ahead to make sure you reach your desired level of smoothness in time for your trip! Knowing you’ll have hair free skin in the years to come is worth a little bit of effort at the outset.

We can’t wait to make your hair free dreams come true. With dozens of locations throughout the country, you can always rely on your nearest SEV for an impromptu laser hair removal appointment — your appointment is just a click away.