Just as your wardrobe is affected by the seasons, so can some popular aesthetics treatments. With summer right around the corner, it’s important to understand which procedures are a good choice for this particular time of year and which ones might be a safer bet for another season altogether.
First, let’s talk about some popular treatments that are a safe choice for summer.
Injectable neurotoxins, such as Botox®, Xeomin®, or Dysport®, are safe and appropriate for any time of year. These treatments are a great option for people who want to diminish or eliminate the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and who have little available downtime. When performed by an experienced injector, the results can be subtle yet quite transformative.
Fat reduction treatments are another good choice for this time of year. Non-invasive treatments, like CoolSculpting® and CoolTone™, are a great way to help take the stress out of showing off that new bathing suit. However, these devices often take multiple treatments for you to experience full benefit, so you may want to act fast and book an appointment.
Energy-based skin treatments are a great way to enhance the skin’s tone and tightness using non-invasive radiofrequency, ultrasound, or other energy-based technology. These treatments are generally safe for summertime because they leave the skin’s surface intact while targeting the deeper layers. With the surface being virtually unaffected, there’s no increase in sun sensitivity. However, if any redness is apparent immediately after treatment, it’s important to wear sunscreen and avoid sun exposure until it completely heals.
Now that we’ve highlighted a variety of treatments considered safe year-round, it’s time to point out a few that are equally great but may be better suited for cooler weather.
Chemical peels are a very effective way to improve skin tone and texture as well as diminish fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots. But it’s important to remember these treatments exfoliate the top layer of skin cells in order to expose the newer, fresher skin beneath. It’s that newer layer that is highly susceptible to increased sun damage. So if you think you can have a chemical peel and hit the beach in the next day or two, think again. In the weeks immediately following treatment, it’s crucial to follow a strict sunscreen regimen and avoid sun exposure as often as possible until the skin heals and adjusts.
With bathing suits soon to be abounding, laser hair removal might be considered a popular summertime treatment option. But planning is key if you’re thinking of having this procedure. Think of it this way – the laser targets pigment, so it’s attracted to the darker color of the hair follicle. If you’re already tan, the laser can potentially target the pigment in your skin rather than the follicles themselves. With that in mind, laser hair removal tends to be a much better option to take during the cooler months leading up to summer.
When it comes to laser skin resurfacing treatments, many dermatologists might recommend holding off altogether until the fall or winter months because the treatment exposes a new layer of skin that is extremely sensitive to the sun’s rays. Regular use of sunscreen is absolutely crucial for anyone who has this treatment, not to mention it’s best performed on un-tanned skin.
No matter the season or the treatment path you choose, sun protection should always be a priority regardless. So, if you’re considering some cosmetic improvements or have recently had any kind of cosmetic treatment, regular sunscreen use is a sure-fire way to protect and maintain your results. When you select a skilled provider for any one of the treatments mentioned here, they will explain with you in detail what you can expect.
