I work outdoors in construction and I'm in the sun pretty much all day. How is this going to affect my ability to get laser treatments? Do I need to take time off work or can I work around it somehow? I really want to get rid of my back hair but I can't afford to miss work for weeks on end.

Sun exposure is one of the main things you need to manage when getting laser treatments, both before and after each session. You'll need to avoid direct sun exposure for about a week before your treatment and at least two weeks afterward. If you work outdoors, this is definitely going to be challenging but not impossible. The biggest risk is getting sunburned or tanned before a session, which can make the treatment unsafe or less effective. After a session, your skin is more sensitive and susceptible to hyperpigmentation if exposed to intense sun. The solution is to be really diligent about sun protection - wearing long sleeves, using high SPF sunscreen, and covering the treated areas as much as possible. You might also consider scheduling your sessions during seasons when you can more easily cover up, or timing them for late afternoon so you have evenings and nights for initial recovery.

I had a similar concern because I spend a lot of time outside for work too. What ended up working for me was scheduling all my sessions during late fall and winter when I was wearing long sleeves anyway and the sun wasn't as intense. I made sure to apply sunscreen religiously under my clothes on treated areas, especially my back and shoulders which got the most sun exposure. Some sessions I wore a light undershirt even when it was warm out, just to protect my skin. It was a bit uncomfortable at times but totally manageable. I also scheduled my appointments for Friday afternoons when possible, so I had the weekend to recover before going back to work. The med spa I went to for facial laser hair removal for men and body treatments was really helpful in working around my schedule and gave me specific advice on managing sun exposure with my lifestyle. They emphasized that as long as I was careful and followed their post-treatment care instructions, I could continue working outdoors without major issues.