Fall is here, and many of us are enjoying seasonal activities like apple picking, hayrides, and visits to the pumpkin patch. But you may not have known about one other activity that’s perfect for these cooler months: laser treatments. Whether you’re considering lasers for skin resurfacing, hair removal, or to address flaws such as spider veins and stretch marks, the shorter days of fall and winter are an ideal time to get the procedure that’s been on your list.
What Makes Fall and Winter a Great Time for Laser Treatments?
You may think of autumn as a time for beautiful foliage, Halloween parties, or Thanksgiving spent counting your blessings among family and friends. But did you know fall and winter are also “laser season?”
Here’s why: Following some laser treatments, your skin can be hypersensitive to sun exposure for as long as a year. For that reason, many cosmetic surgeons recommend undergoing laser resurfacing during the fall or winter when the sun’s UV rays are lower, and more hours of darkness usually mean you spend more time inside. You’re also more likely to cover your skin when the weather is colder, which further protects it from the sun.
The Top Four Reasons to Consider Laser Treatment in Cooler Weather
Here are our top reasons to get skin rejuvenation or hair removal with lasers in the fall or winter:
- Increased sensitivity – If you are getting a laser procedure that resurfaces your skin, it will cause the top layers of your skin to peel. The new skin that forms can become much more photo-sensitive than your skin was before getting your treatment.
- Sun damage – Lasers are excellent tools in fighting off the signs of aging, and sun exposure is one of the worst culprits when it comes to premature aging, wrinkles, and discoloration. However, sun exposure will also reverse the effects of your laser treatment, causing your skin to darken or freckle. In rare cases, excess sun exposure after a laser procedure could even cause hyper- or hypopigmentation, making your skin look even worse than it did before you went in for your procedure.
- Lighter skin tone – Generally, laser skin procedures are most effective on people with lighter skin, because skin with less melanin is easier for the laser to penetrate. Your laser skin procedure will be at its most effective during fall and winter, when any tan you got during the summer has fully faded and your skin is at its lightest.
- Prepare for next spring and summer – Many people who need more than one treatment to see their desired results opt to begin their series of laser procedures in the fall or winter. That allows them to space the treatments out over the course of several months, so they have smoother and more youthful-looking skin to display proudly once the weather warms up again.
Schedule Your Laser Treatment at the Maryland Institute of Plastic Surgery
Your skin is your body’s largest organ, so it’s essential to make sure it’s in good hands when seeking treatment. When done by a specially trained, knowledgeable skin care professional, laser procedures are an excellent way to safely and effectively improve your skin’s appearance.
At the Maryland Institute of Plastic Surgery, our four experienced cosmetic surgeons use the Cutera Coolglide 1064 Yag Laser to treat skin issues such as sun damage, discoloration, and unwanted hair and veins. Contact us today to schedule a consultation to learn more about your options.