If you’ve considered having laser resurfacing, but hesitated because you didn’t know if it was the right time, it is. At Dr. Raymond J. Llaurado’s office, located in Arroyo Grande, California, we encourage our patients to seek laser resurfacing treatments during the late fall, winter, and early spring months for a variety of reasons.
To help you understand the importance of timing with these laser treatments, we’ll explain what occurs during the procedure.
How laser resurfacing works
To give you the radiant skin and glowing complexion you want from your laser resurfacing treatment, we use a safe and effective CO2 ablative laser. This laser gently removes the outer layer of your skin, taking age spots, sun spots, and other surface imperfections with it.
What’s more, this process stimulates the natural production of collagen and elastin, proteins that improve the fullness and texture of your skin. Once your skin heals, you’re left with skin that’s smoother, firmer, and more radiant.
Yet, beautiful skin comes with a cost. Because of the ablative-nature of the laser device, your skin needs time to heal after your laser resurfacing — and winter provides the perfect opportunity.
Immediately following your treatment, you may have tender, swollen skin. This can last up to 10 days, depending on the size and scope of your treatment area. Redness may linger for a few weeks.
Avoiding sun exposure
We recommend laser resurfacing during the winter months because after your treatment, you need to avoid the sun. Winter’s short, bitterly-cold days make it easier to stay out of the sun than the beautiful 14 hours of sunlight you get midsummer. Therefore, the colder months automatically offer your skin a layer of protection after treatment.
Immediately following your treatment and for a while afterwards, your new skin is much more sensitive to the sun’s UV rays, and when you go outside — even if it’s only for a few minutes — you must wear sunscreen. While sunscreen is still necessary in the winter and on cloudy days, it’s easier than the multiple applications that you must don on a hot summer’s day.
Some much-needed downtime
After your laser resurfacing treatment, you may need some downtime. Depending on the size of your treatment area and how deep the procedure went, you may experience some discomfort. You may want to stay home and rest for a week or so. We recommend patients use cold packs and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications to help minimize their discomfort.
Although the immediate side effects of your laser resurfacing are gone within 10 days, it can take up to three weeks for your skin to completely heal. While you’re not homebound, you may prefer to wait a few weeks until that beautiful, refreshed complexion appears before you go out with friends or take any trips.
Be ready when summer arrives
Because it take so long for the results of laser resurfacing to emerge, when you want to look the best during the summer months, have your treatment during the winter. Whether you have June weddings to attend or are planning a trip to the Outer Banks in August, your skin will already look fantastic.
Not only will your skin appear plump, smooth, and luxurious all summer long, you’ll have also eliminated many skin flaws and imperfections. Dark pigmentations and blemishes become harder to see and skin tightens, reducing the appearance of sagging and fine lines.
If you’d like to make an appointment for laser skin resurfacing with Dr. Llaurado, call our office or schedule it using the convenient online booking tool.