It’s no secret that laser resurfacing can help your skin look younger. While it’s not precisely a facelift, laser skin resurfacing can tighten skin. It can even improve the appearance of facial wrinkles and skin texture. Thus, you’ll be able to get rid of hyperpigmentation and acne scars. The results give you a younger-looking face without plastic surgery!

However, like many skincare procedures, laser resurfacing isn’t without side effects. Namely, redness, irritation, and skin swelling can happen after the procedure, along with sun sensitivity that can last anywhere for several months to a year.

Although many people find these temporary side effects well worth it, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few more months for them to go away. So what is the best time of year to get laser skin treatments to optimize your results?

How Laser Skin Resurfacing Can Affect Your Skin

To begin, let us examine the process of laser resurfacing in further detail.

Using a laser, a trained dermatologist or plastic surgeon will use a special light to remove the top layer of your skin essentially. The heat from the laser can also encourage new collagen fibers production, which helps skin look plump and youthful.

The treatment removes the outer layer of your skin. So the damage that your skin may have accumulated, such as hyperpigmentation, scarring, and fine lines and wrinkles. The results give you firmer and smoother skin with minor damage that made you worried about before.

Before you see the results, however, you’ll go through a period of healing. You should follow your doctor’s instructions for recovery after the procedure to see the results you want.

Your skin will feel like it got a pretty bad sunburn immediately after the laser treatment. Your skin will become swollen and sore, and the redness you see from the procedure can last for months. (Don’t worry, you’ll be able to cover it up with makeup after a couple of weeks.)

Your skin will also be hypersensitive to sunlight. Although this sensitivity can last up to a year, it’s most crucial to avoid the sun for at least six weeks after your treatment. Exposing your skin to sunlight without protection after getting laser skin resurfacing work can cause blistering and permanent discoloration of the skin. These issues will cause the opposite effect of the resurfacing treatment.

Skin can also peel and flake during this time of the healing process. All in all, you’ll need a minimum of three to five days to take it easy. And most adverse effects should go away in about a week, with new skin covering the treatment area in about two weeks.

Fall and Winter Are the Suggested Times of Year

Given that you’ll need to avoid sun exposure entirely in the weeks following your laser procedure, the fall and winter seasons are appropriate for scheduling this procedure.

With shorter days and people staying inside more due to the chilly weather in many areas this time of year, it’s the perfect time to start laser resurfacing treatment.

Cold weather can also feel more soothing on treated skin with lasers. Often, swelling and even stinging or itching can happen after the treatment. Whereas hot or humid weather can worsen these side effects.

Also, depending on which type of laser skin treatment you get, you may need more than one session to achieve your desired results. Some sessions spaced weeks apart. This would allow you to get a second or even a third session during the colder and darker months. So you’ll be ready for spring and summer with a younger-looking face.

Since you’ll need to rest for a few days after the procedure, staying home and indoors is ideal. This is typically easier to do in fall and winter. During this time, cold weather and shorter days make indoor activities more doable. It’s unlike summer when it seems like everyone is having a cookout, wedding, or pool party!

The holidays may also be a good time for you to take time away from work and begin resurfacing treatment. Since the skin will be healing for at least two weeks, fall and winter are good seasons to avoid seeing people for a short period if you can.

Once it’s time to get back out in the world, be sure to use sunscreen. And it should be formulated specifically for sensitive skin. You’ll also need broad-spectrum coverage to avoid any sun damage to your face during this time of sun sensitivity. Even if you’re going outside for just a few minutes, the sun protection factor is vital to your newly resurfaced skin!

When Should You Start Treatment?

Although you can technically start laser skin resurfacing treatment anytime you want, fall is an excellent time to consider getting started. Depending on the type of treatment you opt for, you can also begin in the winter or early spring.

For example, if you’re getting a resurfacing treatment on your entire face, you may only need one session to start seeing the results you want. So you could start in winter or early spring without much worry that it’ll heal you in time for summer.

However, if you expect you’ll need several sessions, it’s better to get started sooner than later, such as in the fall. Once your skin completely heals from laser resurfacing, you’ll have a unique new complexion to show off to friends and family by the time the warmer weather comes around again!

Many people choose to have their resurfacing treatment on a Friday. And then they recuperate over the weekend from the early side effects, such as soreness and swelling. Your physician can let you know more about the specific treatment that would be right for you. And eventually, you can know what to expect for healing during your consultation.

Do You Get Advanced Skincare Treatments?

Have YOU ever gotten laser resurfacing done or another type of advanced skincare treatment? If so, please share your experience in the comments section below!