Despite laser hair removal being a popular topic of conversation around summertime due to it being bathing-suit season, this treatment is actually best to pursue in the fall and winter. "Lasers used for laser hair removal target the melanin or pigment in the hair located deep in the hair follicle," Dr. Gmyrek said. "If you are tanned, you will have melanin or pigmentation at the surface of the skin. When the laser light hits the area, it will be absorbed by both the hair melanin as well as the melanin on your skin, and there is a risk for burning the skin."
This goes for self-tanner as well. If a burn does occur, it can cause the skin to heal lighter or permanently scar.