With the holiday season approaching, the naughty and nice list is a hot topic. Those of you that left the sunscreen at home this summer may find yourself on the naughty skin list. Those of you on the nice skin list may be taking optimal care of your skin but are still noticing the early signs of wrinkles and aging.
The good news is, no matter what list you find yourself on, the pre-holiday months are perfect for last-minute cosmetic laser skin treatments that will have you looking your best this holiday season.
Treating Sun Damage and the Early Signs of Aging
Spending time out in the sun without sunscreen will not only get you on the naughty list but can also make you look older than you are. The harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun can damage your skin and add years to your appearance. This damage can include things like wrinkles, age spots, loose skin, spider veins and a blotchy complexion.
Even if you have been good about wearing your sunscreen, short time spent outside without it can add up, contributing to sun damage. The good news is, you don’t have to live with this damage. A variety of different cosmetic laser treatments help address sun damage and signs of aging, helping you restore your youthful appearance.
Why the Pre-Holiday Months are the Perfect Time for Laser Treatments
While the summertime sun can cause damage to your skin, it can also cause all sorts of trouble for laser-treated skin. Having laser treatments with freshly tanned or sunburned skin can increase the risk of blistering.
Sun exposure after laser treatments can cause permanent skin discoloration and increase your risk of more serious sun damage. In this case, the sun is definitely not your friend. However, as the sun starts to fade and the cooler, crisp days of fall appear, the perfect conditions arrive for cosmetic laser treatments.
In addition, if you are looking to reduce sun damage and the signs of aging before the holiday parties really get into full swing, you will need time to heal and allow for optimal results. By planning your cosmetic laser treatments mid-fall, you reduce the risk of sun exposure while also allowing enough time to heal and achieve the results you are really looking for.
The Best Laser Treatments for Treating Sun Damage and Early Signs of Aging
When it comes to treating sun damage and the early signs of aging, there are a variety of different cosmetic laser treatment options available. Which treatment you decide on will depend on the damage you have and the goals you want to attain. Some of the popular laser treatment options include:
Laser Skin Resurfacing
Laser skin resurfacing uses lasers to gently heat the underlying layers of the skin. This stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, while helping to promote the natural healing of the dermis. By doing this, your skin begins to generate healthy, new cells to heal and replace areas of sun damage.
With laser skin resurfacing, you can expect a couple days of downtime while your face appears red and puffy, often looking like a bad sunburn. Results will begin to show within a few weeks to months, revealing even-toned, smoother and firmer skin.
Laser Genesis
Laser Genesis is for those that want results similar to traditional laser resurfacing but without the downtime. Laser Genesis uses a non-ablative YAG laser that delivers pulses of low-energy to heat the layers of the skin. This treatment can address issues such as sun damage, redness and rosacea, uneven skin tone, enlarged pores, wrinkles and acne scars.
This procedure typically takes about 30 minutes and requires no anesthesia or numbing before treatment. There is no downtime, though your face may appear slightly pink after treatment. Results should be visible within a few weeks. Optimal results are achieved with a series of 3 to 5 treatments done at one-month intervals.
Halo™️ Hybrid Fractional Laser Resurfacing
The Halo hybrid fractional laser uses different wavelengths that are able to penetrate various depths of the dermis, helping to promote healing and collagen and elastin production both at the surface and in the deeper layers. This treatment addresses both superficial skin problems, as well as deeper concerns. Halo is a great treatment option for sun damage, wrinkles and scarring.
After the procedure, your skin may appear red and puffy, before developing brownish spots and a rough texture. These spots will slough off within a week or so and by the second or third week, you should notice a more even skin tone. It can take up to 3 months for your skin to regenerate and heal in order to see your best results.
IPL Photofacial
IPL photofacial is made to treat and reverse the effects of sun damage using intense pulsed light. This light is absorbed by pigment, fading sunspots, freckles, redness from sun damage, uneven skin pigmentations and vascular lesions.
Types of IPL devices like Sciton’s BBL™️ photofacial can utilize varying wavelengths in different stages to increase the results of the treatment.
The procedure is about 30 minutes and you may feel a mild tingling sensation. There is no downtime, though you may appear slightly flushed after treatment. In most cases, people opt for 2 to 5 treatments spaced a month apart.
So, whether you are on the naughty or nice list, there is a cosmetic laser treatment that can treat sun damage and help restore a younger-looking appearance just in time for all of your holiday celebrations.
Author Bio
Pacifica Medical Spa has offices in Camarillo and Studio City, California. Their mission is to provide customized treatments in a beautiful and relaxing atmosphere. They offer the latest skincare and anti-aging procedures performed by skilled medical professionals and beauty therapists.