hands resting on and gently touching bare legs against a light background

How Long Before the Holidays Should You Start Laser Hair Removal?

The holiday season arrives with a flurry of invitations, long-awaited travel, and cherished reunions. Amid the planning, packing, and dressing, there’s a quiet luxury in knowing your skin is smooth, effortless, and completely cared for. At House22, we see laser hair removal not as a task to check off, but as a transformative ritual that lets you arrive prepared, polished, and confident.

This isn’t last-minute maintenance, it’s an elegant journey toward hair-free comfort that enhances how you feel in your favorite winter dress or honeymoon-ready swimwear. And like all things that are worth the investment, it begins with thoughtful timing.

Why Laser Hair Removal Is the Smartest Holiday Preparation

When your beauty plan is guided by intention, every treatment becomes more than cosmetic. Laser hair removal is one of the most meaningful ways to simplify your grooming rituals before the holidays, offering results that extend long past the final event. Unlike shaving or waxing, which demand continual upkeep and bring the risk of irritation or ingrown hairs, laser therapy provides smoother skin with long-term refinement.

The process is non-invasive, safe, and tailored at House22 to meet each guest’s tone and texture, guided by our clinical technology and restorative philosophy. During colder seasons, laser becomes even more ideal: skin is naturally more protected from UV exposure, and schedules often allow for more consistent appointments.

A beautifully timed series now can mean a truly care-free December, whether your plans include long flights, family portraits, or a candlelit celebration in Chicago’s Gold Coast.

When to Start: The Ideal Laser Timeline Before Winter Events

Laser hair removal is most effective when it respects the natural cycle of hair growth. That’s why we recommend beginning your sessions three to four months before your holiday departure or seasonal milestone. A complete plan includes six to eight sessions, each spaced four to six weeks apart, allowing the laser to target hair at its most responsive stage.

Here’s how the journey unfolds:

  • 3–4 months before your event: Begin your laser series. This window allows your skin and follicles to respond gradually while reducing regrowth.
  • Every 4–6 weeks: Continue follow-up sessions. Each one builds on the last, catching new follicles as they enter their active phase.
  • 2–3 weeks before travel or event: Complete your final pre-holiday session. This gives your skin time to heal, shed treated hairs, and achieve that signature smooth finish.

At House22, each guest receives a personalized session plan, customized for skin sensitivity, hair density, and lifestyle. For many of our clients, this care begins in early fall to ensure glowing results by the heart of the holiday season.

laser device held to a man’s neck as he lies with eyes closed

Bikini, Legs & Beyond: Areas to Prioritize for Holiday Confidence

The beauty of laser hair removal lies in its versatility. Whether your holiday plans call for snow-dusted photographs or a beachfront escape, targeting the right areas ahead of time creates a foundation of ease.

  • Bikini and full intimate areas: Especially valuable before warm-weather travel or intimate occasions, bikini laser treatment offers smoothness without the friction of razors or waxing irritation.
  • Legs: For guests wearing dresses, evening gowns, or resort wear, smooth legs feel luxurious and eliminate the need for shaving while traveling.
  • Underarms: A favorite for those attending formal events, the underarm laser offers a polished look with no risk of shadow or stubble under sleeveless styles.
  • Face, neck, jawline: These areas provide the greatest visual payoff during holiday photos, makeup application, or close conversation. Laser in these zones also supports a smoother texture and fewer touch-ups.

Each of these regions benefits from early planning. The goal is not only to reduce regrowth but also to provide confidence that doesn’t require reapplication or retreatment.

Pre- and Post-Care: Rituals That Protect Your Glow

Laser hair removal is most powerful when paired with mindful care, before and after your sessions. At House22, we guide each guest through a gentle protocol designed to enhance results and protect the integrity of your skin throughout the treatment series.

Before your session:

  • Shave the area to be treated 12–24 hours prior. This allows the laser to penetrate the follicle without surface interference.
  • Avoid waxing, plucking, or threading; the laser requires the hair root to be intact.
  • Steer clear of sun exposure, tanning beds, and self-tanning products for two weeks beforehand.
  • Refrain from applying any fragranced lotions, actives, or oils on the treatment day. 

After your session:

  • Apply broad-spectrum SPF 30+ daily on exposed treated areas.
  • Wait 24–48 hours before engaging in intense exercise, heat exposure (saunas, hot showers), or chlorine pools.
  • Moisturize with calming products such as aloe vera gel or fragrance-free balms.
  • After one week, begin gentle exfoliation to encourage natural shedding of treated hairs.

These care rituals aren’t restrictive; they’re restorative. They protect your skin’s radiance and ensure that the outcome is not only visible, but deeply comfortable.

two close-up views of lower legs shown side by side, one with visible hair and one with minimal visible hair
Individual results may vary

Safe for Every Skin Tone: Precision Without Compromise

Not all lasers are created equally, and not every clinic prioritizes safety for melanin-rich skin. At House22, we do.

Our technology includes an Nd: YAG 1064 nm laser, clinically designed to target deeper layers of the follicle without compromising the surrounding skin. This makes it especially effective and safe for guests with deeper skin tones, including Fitzpatrick levels IV–VI.

Each treatment begins with a consultation, where we assess your tone, hair density, and sensitivity. Whether you’re focused on the jawline, bikini, or underarm area, we create a treatment plan that feels as safe as it is effective.

This is part of our core philosophy: beauty without compromise, guided by expertise.

Confidence That Outlasts the Holidays

Holiday-ready skin begins with more than aesthetics; it’s about feeling ease in every gesture, comfort in every look, and freedom from daily upkeep. With laser hair removal, your holiday confidence becomes an extension of long-term care.

By the time the snow melts or the vacation ends, your skin still carries the results: fewer ingrowns, finer regrowth, smoother texture, and a significant reduction in the need for shaving or waxing.

At House22, this transformation is guided, paced, and deeply personal. Our guests often begin with one focus, legs before a trip, underarms before a wedding, and stay for the experience of feeling seen, understood, and radiant in their own skin.

Whether you’re preparing for a rooftop soirée in Chicago or jetting off to the coast, smooth skin should never be an afterthought. At House22, it’s a plan, designed with intention, delivered with care.

Begin your consultation today with our laser specialists in Chicago’s Gold Coast, and discover a beauty ritual that begins now and lingers far beyond the holidays.

Frequently Asked Questions: Holiday Laser Hair Removal

How far in advance should I begin laser hair removal before the holidays?

We recommend starting at least 3–4 months before your event or trip. This allows time for 2–4 sessions, spaced 4–6 weeks apart, so you begin to see visible results and smoother regrowth by the time your celebration or travel begins.

Can I book a laser session right before vacation?

We suggest your final session be scheduled 2–3 weeks before departure. This gives your skin time to shed treated hairs, settle any sensitivity, and avoid potential sun exposure immediately after.

Is laser hair removal safe for darker skin tones?

Yes. At House22, we use Nd: YAG 1064 nm technology, which is specifically designed to be safe and effective for deeper skin tones. Each treatment is customized based on your skin type and tone.

What areas are most popular for holiday prep?

Our guests often focus on the bikini, legs, underarms, and jawline, areas most visible during winter events, vacations, and photo moments.

Can I still shave between sessions?

Yes. Shaving is encouraged, as it preserves the hair follicle needed for the laser to be effective. Avoid waxing, plucking, or threading throughout your treatment plan.