Why Winter Is the Time to Start Laser Hair Removal: An Upper East Side Timeline
ROW 89 Team • November 10, 2026 • 6 min read
By mid-November the Upper East Side is in coats and tights. Nobody on the 86th Street platform is thinking about bare legs, and Carl Schurz Park is for brisk walks, not sunbathing. That is why this is a good month to begin laser hair removal: the treatment is a series spread over months, and it goes more smoothly on skin that hasn't seen much sun.
Quick answer: when should you start laser hair removal?
- Laser hair removal is a series, not a single visit. At ROW 89, many clients need about six to eight sessions, spaced four to eight weeks apart. It varies by person.
- Count backward from when you want to be finished. A first session in November puts a sixth session around June.
- Tanned skin and self-tanner get in the way. Covered-up winter skin makes scheduling easier.
- Results depend on hair color, skin tone and the area treated. Your provider checks all three before the first session.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Your provider will tell you what is appropriate for your skin and health history.
Why laser hair removal takes months
The laser's light is absorbed by pigment in the hair. That heats the follicle and slows regrowth. Only hairs in their active growth phase respond, and at any moment just a share of your hair is in that phase. Each session treats the hairs that are growing that week; the next session, weeks later, treats the next group.
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says most people need several treatments, usually four to six weeks apart, and can expect a 10% to 25% reduction in hair after the first one.
Why winter helps
- Less sun. The AAD's preparation advice is direct: don't tan, outdoors or indoors, and don't use sunless tanner before treatment. After a session, treated skin should stay out of direct sun. Both are easier in January than in July.
- Coverage. You shave the area the day before each session, and you can't wax, pluck or thread for about four weeks beforehand, because the laser needs the hair root in place. Sweaters and trousers hide the in-between stage.
A November-to-June timeline
Here is what a six-session series looks like at six-week spacing. Your own schedule may be shorter or longer; faces are often treated at closer intervals than legs, and your provider sets the timing.
| Session | About when | What is happening |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mid-November | Skin and hair check, first treatment |
| 2 | Late December | Some hairs have shed; regrowth is often patchier |
| 3 | Early February | Many people notice finer, slower growth |
| 4 | Late March | Halfway through or past it |
| 5 | Early May | Stay careful with spring sun and use sunscreen |
| 6 | Mid-June | Review with your provider; plan any further sessions or touch-ups |
Brazilian, legs, face: what it costs by area
Prices are per session, and all 30 areas for women and men are on our laser hair removal page. The ones people ask about most:
| Area | Per session |
|---|---|
| Upper lip or chin | $59 |
| Underarms | $89 |
| Bikini (women) | $109 |
| Brazilian | $159 |
| Half legs (women) | $139 |
| Full legs (women) | $229 |
| Full back (men) | $229 |
Who laser suits, and when to ask about electrolysis
The AAD notes that laser works best on dark hair with lighter skin, and that it can be done on other skin tones with extra care. Because it targets pigment, it does little for gray, white, blond or red hair. For those, and for a few stubborn hairs left after a series, electrolysis treats one hair at a time regardless of color. We offer both; electrolysis sessions run from $49 for 5 minutes to $189 for 60 minutes, and our electrolysis vs. laser guide explains how to choose.
Tell your provider about any medication you take (including acne medicine such as isotretinoin), a recent tan, a tendency to scar, or a history of cold sores. The AAD lists all of these as things to mention before treatment.
How to prepare, and what it feels like
- Shave the area the day before. Don't wax, pluck or thread for about four weeks.
- Skip tanning and self-tanner.
- Arrive with clean skin: no lotion, and no deodorant if underarms are being treated.
Most people describe a quick snap or a warm pinprick. Afterward, expect mild redness, a little like a light sunburn, for a few hours. Avoid sun, hot tubs and hard workouts for a day or two, and wear sunscreen on treated areas.
Frequently asked questions
How many laser hair removal sessions will I need?
Hair grows in cycles, so laser hair removal is done as a series. Many clients need about six to eight sessions spaced four to eight weeks apart, depending on the area, hair and skin type, plus occasional touch-ups. It varies by person, and your provider will give you a range for your area, whether that is a Brazilian, underarms, legs or face.
Can I start laser hair removal if I have a tan?
Tell your provider about any recent tan before booking. The American Academy of Dermatology advises against tanning or using sunless tanner before laser hair removal, and your provider may ask you to wait until the tan fades.
Is laser hair removal permanent?
Laser slows regrowth and, for most people, reduces hair for months or years. Some hair can return, usually finer and lighter, and some people book occasional touch-ups. Results vary from person to person.
What if my hair is gray, blond or red?
Laser targets pigment, so it does little for very light hair. Ask about electrolysis, which treats individual hairs regardless of color.
Book at ROW 89
ROW 89 is at 219A East 89th Street, between Second and Third Avenues, in Yorkville, just east of Carnegie Hill and a short trip up from Lenox Hill. Laser hair removal for women and men is on the second floor. We're about 5 minutes on foot from the 86th Street Q station and about 10 minutes from the 86th Street 4/5/6, and we're open 10am–8pm daily (closed Thanksgiving and December 25).
- See every area and price on the laser hair removal page, then book online.
- Questions about your skin or hair type? Call (212) 722-1959.