Laser skin resurfacing works best on lighter, un-tanned skin, and ultraviolet rays from the sun can negatively impact your outcome after treatment. Because of this, winter is the best time to get laser skin resurfacing. Getting the treatment during this season gives you time to heal and allows your results to fully come out before you show them off in the summer.
Winter in central Pennsylvania can feel like it lasts forever, but it doesn’t have to be all cold, dark, and dreary. Laser skin resurfacing from Dr. Deborah Farrell at Farrell Plastic Surgery and Laser Center can turn your winter into a season of excitement and anticipation as you get ready to display your new, youthful look. Read on to learn about why winter is the best time to get laser skin resurfacing.
Why is Winter the Best Time to Get Laser Skin Resurfacing?
Laser skin resurfacing is most effective when it’s performed on lighter skin that isn’t well-tanned. If you’re tanned or sunburned, the treatment will not deliver the results you desire. The reason for this is because of the mechanism by which the procedure works.
During laser skin resurfacing, the laser applies heat energy to specific, targeted skin cells to break them down and stimulate the growth of new cells. This process is far easier if there’s greater color contrast between the treatment area and the rest of your skin. Tanned skin reduces this contrast by bringing your overall skin tone closer to that of the rosacea or dark spots you’re trying to eliminate. Getting your treatment during the winter gives your summer tan time to fade and ensures greater contrast between your skin and the target areas.
Getting laser skin resurfacing during winter also aids your recovery. Exposing your skin to heat and the sun’s ultraviolet rays after treatment can hamper your healing process. Avoiding sunlight is much easier during the winter, when there’s less daylight and the cold keeps you inside. Starting your treatment now will give you time to heal so you can show your refreshed skin off in the summer.
Am I a Candidate for Laser Skin Resurfacing This Winter?
If you deal with any of the following issues, laser skin resurfacing could help restore your vibrant, youthful-looking skin:
- Rosacea
- Spider veins
- Fine lines
- Wrinkles
- Dark spots
- Acne scars
What is the Laser Skin Resurfacing Recovery Process?
In the days after your treatment, you may experience some swelling and mild tenderness, and your skin will appear slightly red, as if it were sunburned. It’s important to follow Dr. Farrell’s post-operative instructions carefully to maximize your results.
You should also take care to avoid direct sunlight on the treatment area during this period, and to wear sunscreen of at least SPF 30 when you go outside, even when it’s cloudy.
When Will I Notice Laser Skin Resurfacing Results?
It may take a few months for your results to appear after you undergo laser skin resurfacing. However, once they manifest, they’re there for the long haul. Your skin could maintain its refreshed, youthful, vigorous look for up to 10 years.
Schedule Your Laser Skin Resurfacing Consultation Today
Dr. Farrell is one of central Pennsylvania’s premier laser and cosmetic medicine physicians. She is committed to providing natural results that give you the look you desire. She serves Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, and nearby areas of Pennsylvania. Call (717) 732-9000 today to schedule a consultation.