Laser resurfacing produces wonderfully dramatic results, but it can initially leave your skin pink and irritated. Your sensitive skin is highly susceptible to sun exposure which can cause darkening or hyperpigmentation to occur. However, in the winter months, your skin will sustain less risk of exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays, so winter is the best time for laser skin treatments.
Avoid Sunlight After Any Laser Treatment
After undergoing laser treatment, you will be asked to avoid direct sunlight for one to two months as your skin heals. Your skin will need time to recover because during the healing process it will be far more prone to damage from UV rays.
Sun Darkened Skin and Laser Procedures
During the summer months, when your skin is darkened by the sun, you are not a good candidate for laser skin treatments. The laser applies heat or light energy to target critical areas and stimulate new cell production. When your skin is naturally light, not suntanned, the laser can detect color contrast easier. With light skin, the laser accurately targets particular areas for the best chance of treatment success. Ideally, the best time to have laser treatment is during mid to late winter when your summer tan has faded, and your skin has significantly whitened.
Main Reasons to Stay Out of Sunlight After Cosmetic Laser Procedures
Here are the three main reasons to stay out of the sun and undergo your cosmetic laser techniques in the winter months:
1. Effectiveness: The effectiveness of laser hair removal depends on the pigmentation of the skin and the hair. If you are having unwanted hair removed using a laser, then you will have the best results if your skin is light and your hair dark. The laser targets the pigmentation in the hair. If your skin has excessive pigment from sun exposure, then the laser will be far less effective at hair removal.
2. Increased Sensitivity: A laser procedure to resurface your skin targets the skin’s top layer. After the laser treatment, the skin’s layer will start to peel away. The new cells are very photosensitive. If the fresh new skin is exposed to the sun’s harsh UV rays, it will begin to darken, develop freckles, and suffer photo-damage. In some cases, the skin could suffer hyperpigmentation if exposed to the sun after laser treatments.
3. Sun Damage: Laser resurfacing is highly effective at reducing the signs of aging. One of the main reasons why people develop fine lines and wrinkles and skin discolorations is exposure to the sun’s UV light. After a laser treatment, your skin is very susceptible to damage from the sun, so you do not want to reverse the laser treatment’s benefits by exposing your new and delicate skin to the harmful effects of unwanted sunlight.
Benefits of Laser Hair Removal and Resurfacing
There are many benefits to undergoing laser treatments during the winter months:
● Effectively remove unwanted hair before spring and summer
● Remove unwanted skin blemishes
● Reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
● Improve the appearance of acne and scarring
● Eliminate dark spots on the skin’s surface
Winter is an excellent time for laser treatments, but it is also ideal for other skin rejuvenating cosmetic procedures such as microdermabrasion and chemical peels. Schedule an appointment for a consultation with the medical professionals at the Laser Skin and Vein Clinic to decide what cosmetic procedures to undergo this winter.
