Sun protection is of vital importance, especially prior to laser skin treatments. UV rays can harm healing tissue and lead to unwanted pigmentation changes or burns that could compromise outcomes.
An essential step in every skincare routine should be using sunscreen; especially before beginning laser treatment. Utilizing broad spectrum SPF is highly recommended to protect the skin during this treatment process.
Avoid Sunlight
Laser treatments are an effective way to rejuvenate your skin. The heat from the laser stimulates skin cells, thickening collagen to tighten and firm your skin for an aged-look, as well as reduce fine lines, wrinkles and acne scarring. After having undergone treatment it’s important to remember that UV rays will be more likely to penetrate, therefore following any instructions from your aesthetician regarding sun protection may be important.
Before your appointment for an aggressive laser procedure like ablative laser resurfacing, such as photoablative laser resurfacing, it is advised to avoid direct sunlight and sunbathing for several weeks prior.
Before your laser treatment, it is advisable to refrain from tanning, using products which make your skin sensitive to sunlight and any procedures which cause photosensitivity. This is due to any cosmetic procedure which exfoliates or puncture the top layers of skin leaving it susceptible to UV radiation damage from sunlight.
Following laser skin treatment, it is still wise to limit sun exposure. Your face will likely be very tender after laser therapy, and you could experience redness, swelling, itchy sensations or even stinging from sunrays reaching through clouds to reach your skin. Wear a broad spectrum sunscreen of at least 30 SPF everyday as the UV radiation from clouds still reaches into our lives and harms skin cells.
No sun exposure after laser treatment should help your skin start healing from treatment and return to regular activity, and you’ll soon see results of the procedure that are more youthful and radiant looking than before. Protect it further with high SPF sunscreen (at least an SPF 30) in summer months as well as applying rich moisturizer daily in order to keep skin supple – keeping results long lasting! Remember too much exposure could reverse positive results and cause new wrinkles, blemishes or uneven pigmentation issues to form as new wrinkles or pigmentation changes occur due to too much sun.
Wear Sunscreen
Winter sun may appear less damaging to skin, yet that doesn’t mean you should opt out of sunscreen completely – your skin remains just as susceptible to UV rays all year round and needs protection with high quality broad spectrum SPF protection.
Sun damage can be permanent and is made even worse when your skin is already vulnerable. That’s why wearing sunscreen daily – not only when planning on receiving laser treatment – is so essential.
If any parts of your body (such as legs and arms) tan easily, be sure to wear sunscreen for at least four weeks prior to laser treatments. At least every two hours you should reapply the sunscreen so as to avoid getting burned or developing dark spots on the skin.
Broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher sunscreen is generally advised, and is designed to cover all skin types effectively and protect from both UVB and UVA rays that cause burning and long-term damage to the body. Furthermore, fragrance-free, oil-free, non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic sunscreens tend to be less irritating for most individuals.
EltaMD UV Clear or Daily Tinted provides excellent SPF coverage post-laser treatment. Both products are 100% physical sunscreens with no chemicals added, featuring 9% transparent zinc oxide to shield the skin from UVA and UVB rays, as well as antioxidants that absorb free radicals that could otherwise damage its cells. These products are gentle on your skin and specifically formulated for post-procedure or sensitive skin care, making them great travel sizes. When swimming or sweating, it is advisable to switch out your sunscreen for one that can withstand wet and sweaty environments such as swimming pools. If unsure, arrange a consultation at National Laser Institute Med Spa so we can find an SPF suitable for your individual needs.
Wear Sunglasses
After laser skin treatment, it’s advisable to wear sunglasses to safeguard your eyes in the hours following. This is particularly beneficial when traveling to places with intense sunlight or your eyes are particularly susceptible to medication or conditions like dry eye syndrome. Sunglasses not only offer protection from harmful sunrays but can also act as shields that keep out dust, debris and foreign objects entering the eyes, while protecting wearers from accidentally touching their own eyes during activities like swimming, sports participation or snowwalking.
Sunglasses that offer both UVA and UVB protection are of utmost importance, especially during the summer months. High quality models should have an inner lens rating showing they filter out 99-100% of both types of rays; cheap, drugstore sunglasses typically don’t absorb enough UV light and may even be dangerous to your eyes.
Eyewear that provides adequate UV protection will not only safeguard long-term eye health and wellbeing but will also reduce glare, enhance colors, and provide you with better views outdoors on sunny days. Prolonged exposure to UV rays from the sun has been linked with various eye diseases including cataracts (clouding of natural lens of eye), macular degeneration (deterioration in macula region of retina that causes central vision to blur), and pterygium growths – thus making sunglasses with adequate UV protection an invaluable way of protecting eyesight for years! Ultimately wearing sunglasses will lower risk associated with these eye-related diseases while helping maintain better vision for longer.
While sunglasses are most often associated with outdoor enthusiasts, they can also benefit anyone experiencing light sensitivity or migraines. With so many styles and colors to choose from, sunnies have become fashionable accessories – many even double as protection against UV radiation! However, when selecting sunglasses it’s important that they fit comfortably while looking attractive on your face; choose something light yet sturdy with broad temple arms to prevent glare from the sun’s rays.
Avoid Excessive Activity
Laser skin treatments can be highly effective, yet can make your skin hypersensitive to heat. Therefore, it is recommended that as much sun protection be avoided prior to receiving treatments to minimize risk of burns or hyperpigmentation in treated areas and enable proper healing post procedure.
Additionally, after receiving laser skin treatment it’s essential to refrain from excessive activity for at least 24 hours post treatment. UV rays can damage the skin and leave it looking discolored; to minimize UV exposure it’s wiser to refrain from activities which will expose your body directly to sunlight until all treated areas have fully recovered from treatment.
Wear clothing and/or a hat to shield the treated area from direct sunlight during the first two days after laser therapy to shield from dirt, sweat, and other potential contaminants which could irritate and damage its delicate skin.
Though your skin sensitivity to UV rays should decrease over time after having laser skin treatments, it’s still wise to be vigilant of UV exposure throughout. UV rays penetrate even cloudy skies, so wearing sunscreen with at least SPF 50 protection when outside or using tanning beds is recommended.
For optimal results, it is strongly advised that you apply broad-spectrum sunscreen every day for four weeks prior to receiving laser resurfacing treatment. In addition, smoking must be discontinued and any alcohol or medication which might increase photosensitivity avoided before your appointment. Likewise, it’s wise to schedule your session with an experienced physician who can perform laser resurfacing correctly and safely – you may even require sedation during some procedures, so arrange transportation home afterward – finally using moisturizer on affected areas will keep them hydrated as much as possible while helping the skin to recover quicker after laser treatment!
