The ultimate guide for laser treatments during summer time

Many clients find summer as the ideal time for self care and aesthetic treatments. An extended vacation (for some) & more free time means they can afford some downtime and finally get that laser skin resurfacing session they were dreaming of. Maintaining their great skin during the summer when there are more events, holidays etc. is crucial for many. That being said, many practitioners as well as patients have become fixated on that idea that performing laser treatments during summertime is a no go. Why so?

Summer Sun & Laser Treatments: Separating Fact from Fiction

Many believe laser and light-based aesthetic treatments are off-limits during summer due to increased sun exposure. Let’s explore the science behind this concern.

The Culprit: UV Radiation

Sunlight contains ultraviolet (UV) radiation, a major contributor to sun damage. Increased sun exposure (a hallmark of summer) raises concerns about potential complications with certain treatments.

Sun Damage Risks:

• Uneven Skin Tone: Increased UV exposure can lead to changes in skin pigmentation, including hyperpigmentation (darker patches).
• Premature Aging: Sun damage accelerates skin aging, manifesting as wrinkles and fine lines.
• Skin Lesions: Sun exposure is a risk factor for sunspots and other skin lesions.

Treatment Considerations:

Dermatologists and aestheticians warn against certain procedures during summer. For example:

• Ablative Laser Resurfacing: This treatment directly exposes the deeper layers of skin (epidermis) to UV rays, making it riskier in summer.
• Melanin Production: During summer, the body naturally produces more melanin (pigment) for sun protection. This can increase laser energy absorption, raising the risk of burns and pigmentation issues.
• IPL Photofacials: These treatments utilise a broader light spectrum, further increasing the chance of hyperpigmentation during peak sun exposure.

The Good News:

The fear of causing skin damage to a patient deters many inexperienced aesthetic providers from getting near these treatments in the summertime. However, experienced and properly trained dermatologists openly admit that with basic cautionary steps, some laser and light based treatments could be performed safely even during the summer.

As mentioned earlier, IPL (Intensed Pulsed Light) photofacialwhich is actually supposed to treat hyper pigmentation can potentially increase it during the summer. Photofacials out, that leaves us mostly with lasers and NIR (Near Infra Red) light based treatments.

NIR light therapy uses the 800nm to 2500nm light spectrum which is barely visible to the eye. Medical aesthetic devices such as our Harmony XL Pro use a LED powered applicator to emit this light which is more gentle than IPL and lasers. It has high water absorption levels (rather than melanin) which makes it safer and has minimal to no risk of causing hyper pigmentation. As an aesthetic treatment, its short term benefit is shrinkage of collagen in the skin. This gives a skin tightening and glow effect (excellent as a “red carpet” treatment option). In the long run, it stimulates neo-collagenesis which is a fancy word for skin rejuvenation. Being a gentle treatment however means that results are less visible in most cases.

For patients seeking more dramatic results, lasers are the best treatment option. We’ve already ruled out ablative skin resurfacing as a safe treatment during summer. That is, unless the patient is willing to remain indoors and out of the sun for the entire healing process, which is unlikely. This leaves us with non-ablative laser treatments, which are becoming more and more advanced and popular.

The first option is using the ClearLift laser, which is essentially a q-switched 1064nm ND: Yag laser. This laser is very established in the industry and can be used all year long. During treatment, it creates small wounds caused by photoacoustic effect. This effect keeps the Epidermis (top layer of the dermis), intact. That means the protective layer of the skin is undamaged therefore not overly exposed to the sun’s strong UV radiation during summer. Moreover, by simply using sunscreen with 30 SPF or higher for several days post treatment – UV rays are blocked. Therefor, increased melanin production can be avoided.

The second laser option is our new innovation – the ClearSkin PRO laser. The ClearSkin PRO is a 1540nm, ER: Glass fractional laser which has the remarkable ability to perform non-ablative skin resurfacing. Like the NIR spectrum, this focused wavelength is also mainly absorbed by water. The energy is transformed to heat which creates coagulation columns. This mechanism triggers the immune system to create an inflammatory reaction. The coagulated columns are eventually replaced by new, healthy tissue. The laser also heats the surrounding dermal tissue, creating a thermal reversible effect which promotes neo-collagenesis and new elastin formation. All of this occurs without creating any injury to the external skin layer. As with the ClearLift laser, standard post-treatment measures such as wearing sunscreen and avoiding activities that include extended sun exposure (like going to the beach) for a few days make this a safe treatment during summer.

For practitioners and patients looking to get the best possible results, various combinations of the above technologies is most recommended. There are many treatment protocols that have shown improved skin attributes by using more than one technology. That is why a multi-laser and IPL platform such as the Harmony XL Pro is so valuable. It allows both dermatologists and beauticians to combine technologies and offer safe treatments all year round.

In conclusion, it comes down to taking the right safety measures and using the right technology (remember, no IPL photofacial!). Laser treatments can indeed be performed during summertime to help patients keep their youthful look all year round.