Why is laser hair removal on tanned skin dangerous, and how long should one wait before doing it?

When skin is exposed to sunlight or tanning beds, it pumps a large amount of melanin pigment to the epidermis (top layer) surface to protect itself, causing it to darken. When a laser device is applied to the skin, it cannot distinguish between the melanin in the hair follicle and the melanin on the skin’s surface. As a result, the light beam is absorbed by the melanin on the skin’s surface without reaching the hair follicle, leading to severe burns, blisters, and permanent discoloration. It is necessary to wait at least 4-6 weeks after sun exposure for the skin to return to its natural color and for the melanocytes to calm down.