Winter: One of the Best Times for Cosmetic Laser Treatments

Why Winter is One of the Best Times for Cosmetic Laser Treatments

While the colder months are known for many things — cozy fires, ice skating, layers upon layers — summer beauty prep isn’t exactly one of them; although, it should be. Winter is an ideal time to experience cosmetic laser treatments due to the fact clients are less likely to inadvertently spend too much time in the sun. Why does this matter? Laser treatments should not be performed on sunburned or tanned skin – it is even recommended to avoid skin that’s only been sun-kissed, or slightly tanned as this can increase risk for adverse reactions. Moreover, it is counterproductive for a client that is undergoing treatments for pigmentation because prolonged sun exposure following laser treatments makes the treatment area more sensitive and susceptible to UV damage.  Cold weather and a lower UV index are a skin’s best friend when it comes to getting cosmetic laser treatments done. Low temperature and shorter colder days prevent post inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which can be further worsened by sun exposure.

Treatment Schedules

In the summer months not only do we need to work around sun exposure, clients are preoccupied with irregular schedules. Summer activities, events, and vacations can cause interruptions in proper scheduled appointments to maximize treatment results. Laser hair removal takes a few months to complete because hair grows in cycles. Of the three phases of growth hair goes through — anagen, catagen, and telogen — anagen is the only active-growth phase. Remember, the laser only targets active-growth hair follicles; therefore, a treatment schedule must be followed for effective results. Radio frequency and acne treatments also follow a strict regiment of weekly treatments over a course of a few months, which, for most clients, is difficult to sustain with so many obligations in the summer months. Furthermore, downtime plays a significant roll in scheduling where clients are reluctant to try ablative treatments such as fractional or tattoo removal because of the stress of possible side effects and circumstantial healing times. Fractional treatments can have a down time of approximately three weeks; likewise, tattoo around two weeks to fully heal. Therefore, why not schedule laser treatments in the winter months to address all skin concerns in a timely manner without potential interruptions.

Winter Blues

For some people, winter blues set in and are hard to shake. By scheduling self-care appointments for skin laser treatments, clients can pamper their body and revive their spirit giving them something to focus on and look forward to when spring finally arrives. There is no better time to relax with a laser treatment than a cold winter day. In addition, skin complexion tends to be particularly dull in the winter months due to dry air and lack of exfoliation.  Encourage clients to tackle issues by scheduling winter laser treatments, like skin resurfacing and rejuvenation. This type of treatment triggers an increased production of collagen to moisturize and firm your skin, to fight back against the dry winter air.

Some Things to Consider

• Be sure to keep in mind that although the UV index is significantly lower, skin continues to require SPF even during the winter months.
• In addition to laser treatments, skin care should also be revamped to accommodate skin changes from summer to winter months. Recommend a skin care product to compliment their laser treatments and enhance results.
• Clients will travel to warmer climates during winter months. Therefore, take into consideration when to schedule their treatments before and after their vacation and leave a proper buffer to avoid adverse effects.
• If clients are not sure what treatments are best suited for their skin, encourage them to visit for a consultation, this way their skin can be evaluated, and treatments can be recommended based on their needs.