5 Ways To Prepare For Your Laser Treatments This Fall
September 20, 2022
By Kendall Beiswanger
As summer is coming to an end and the weather is getting cooler, we tend to notice the little reminders that our skin was exposed to the sun … and maybe more than we would have liked. New age spots, sun spots, fine lines and wrinkles, and brown spots that seemed to have appeared overnight, are here to stay and are not the reminders of the summer sun we want to keep. Luckily, fall is known for being “laser season” where we can rejuvenate our skin and repair the damage that summer may have left behind so we can be ready for those holiday gatherings and events. If you have upcoming laser treatments in the books this fall or are interested in learning more about them, keep reading! In this blog, we will go over why it is important to do laser treatments in the fall and the best ways to prepare your skin for optimal laser rejuvenation.
Why Should I Do Laser Treatments In The Fall?
The simple answer: light exposure. Sunlight exposure, or products that increase our sensitivity to the sun, can put our skin at risk with light-based laser treatment. If you have had sun exposure and/or used sun-sensitizing products, your skin will be more sensitive to the light of the laser, also known as photosensitivity. This can lead to adverse reactions such as burning, striping, white spots, hyperpigmentation, decreased treatment outcome, and further skin damage.This is why at Radiance Medical Aesthetics and Wellness, we emphasize to our patients how important it is to follow pre-care instructions and to be cautious of sun exposure prior to their laser treatments. Don’t let this deter you from lasers though! Our state-of-the-art lasers are hand chosen by Dr. Parker for safety and efficacy, and work best if you do! Follow these guidelines below:Sun damage Pigmentation. Imagecredit: Canva.
5 Ways To Prepare For Laser Treatments This Fall
#1: Discontinue any Tretinoin, Retinoids, or AHA/BHAs products.
These retinoids and acids are, you guessed it, LIGHT SENSITIZING!
Discontinue for at least 1 week prior to treatment.
#2: Pay attention to any medications you may be taking!
Some antibiotics, such as doxycycline, minocycline, levofloxacin, and others can cause photosensitivity.
This is why sometimes people who are on antibiotics and have a long day at the beach or hiking come back with rashes, blisters, or sunburns. These same reactions can occur if taking certain medications while having a laser procedure.
Discuss with your physician prior to your laser treatment before discontinuing any medications or if you are uncertain if your medication is sun-sensitizing.
#3: AVOID, AVOID, AVOID SUN EXPOSURE!
Think about it…the laser is “looking” for pigmentation to eliminate (hello rejuvenation!) and can target this pigment that can be deeper than the naked eye can see. Photosensitivity and being tan are not a good combination right before laser treatments.
If you are increasing your sun exposure we have to decrease our settings to keep you safe which means less potential for results. We want you to get the most out of your laser treatment so avoid direct sun exposure, the longer the better!
Avoid direct sun exposure for at least 2-4 weeks and even longer if you tend to tan easily.
#4: Make Sure Your Skin Is Healthy.
What does this mean? The healthier your skin is at the time of your treatment the more likely you are to have the best possible results.
No spray tans.
Use good skincare.
No irritating or drying products.
No sun.
#5: Prone To Hyperpigmentation or Melasma? Pretreat Your Skin!
If you struggle with melasma or pigment when exposed to sunlight or laser, we recommend using prescription topical medication or over-the-counter Skinbetter Even Tone Serum to prep the skin prior to your laser treatment. This will help to suppress pigmentation in response to the laser treatment and prolong your results after.
You can also pre-treat and post-treat the skin with Alastin to further enhance laser treatment results and healing time. Coming soon to Radiance!
Bonus Tip #6: No Surprises!
Ask yourself these questions before your laser treatment:
Do I have any vacations scheduled around the time of your laser treatment? If so you may need to change your appointment depending on how much time you will be in the sun.
Have a hair appointment scheduled? Be sure to not get any residual hair dye on or around the face where you may be getting laser. Remember lasers see all pigment.
Your skinvestment is important and with summer coming to a close this is the perfect time to start planning for laser rejuvenation treatments. Don’t let the little signs of aging that summer so kindly left behind get you down. take advantage of our powerful laser treatment options before the hustle and bustle of the holiday season so you can focus on the important things while feeling your most confident and radiant self! Now that you are prepared to reap the benefits of your laser treatment this fall, now it’s time to find the right laser treatment for you.
Don’t have your laser treatments booked for the fall yet? Not sure which laser treatment is best for you? Here are some recommendations:
Esthetician Laser Treatments
Laser Genesis: no downtime, pain-free, x6 treatments 2 weeks apart, great for tone, texture, acne, and collagen stimulation. BOOK HEREPico Genesis: little to no downtime, virtually pain-free, 3-6 treatments 2 weeks apart, great for brown pigment, sun spots, age spots, a good option for skin types who are prone to melasma. BOOK HERE
Interested in boosting your laser treatment? Check out the Radiance Signature treatments Laser Glow Peel and PICO Glow Peel here!
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Author: Kendall Beiswanger, Radiance Business and Marketing ManagerAdvised and reviewed by: Dr. C. Parker, Aesthetic Medicine PhysicianAndria T., MedicalEsthetician
