Why Fall Is the Ideal Time to Book CO2 Laser Resurfacing
CO2 laser resurfacing can benefit your skin, but the timing of the treatment matters if you want to get the best results. The time that you book your treatment can also impact how smooth your recovery goes and how long your results last. Early fall is the sweet spot for many treatments. When you book laser sessions during this season, you can line up your recovery during a time when the sun is not as strong and the weather is more forgiving.
At Millennium Laser and Aesthetics Center, we know that a little planning can go a long way towards a comfortable recovery and lasting results, and we help patients every day build a treatment plan that is right for them and the season.
What Does CO2 Laser Resurfacing Treat?
CO2 laser resurfacing is a fractional treatment that removes damaged surface skin while stimulating fresh collagen underneath. It helps you have clearer and smoother skin, often with just one or two sessions. It works well on many different skin concerns, such as:
- Sun damage and brown spots
- Uneven pigment and discoloration
- Rough or bumpy texture
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Acne scarring
Here in Arizona, the sun damage can add up fast, so this is one tool we use to help undo this cumulative damage and give your skin a healthier glow.
Do You Have to Wait for Your Tan to Fade?
It is true that this treatment is not recommended for skin that has been recently tanned or sunburned. When your skin has recently been exposed to the sun, your melanocytes, or the cells that produce pigment, are much more active. If we were to treat the skin while it was in this state, it would raise the risk of uneven results or lingering discoloration. You will want to give your skin several weeks to settle after a tan before it is ready. This is why fall can work so well for treatments. It gives your tan time to fade after the sun exposure you had during the summer season.
How Long Is the Pre-Treatment Prep Period?
You will have a prep period of a few weeks where you will avoid active sun exposure and tanning, along with other skin prep routines like a pigment-calming regimen that avoids harsh ingredients. You want your skin in the best possible condition. Your exact plan will depend on your skin and other factors, but for most people, this preparatory season is easier once outdoor activities have calmed down and the UV index isn’t as strong.
Photosensitivity and PIH Risk After CO2 Laser
After your treatment, your skin will need protection while it heals. Freshly resurfaced skin is raw and sensitive to light for several weeks after a CO2 laser session. Any UV exposure during this time can trigger post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, or PIH, which can give you stubborn dark patches. This risk is often even higher for those with medium and deep skin tones. A single sunburn on healing skin can undo your results. Recovery is much easier when you aren’t having to battle peak Arizona sun.
Why Fall Is an Ideal Time for CO2 Laser Treatments
As summer winds down, the UV index and daylight hours begin to drop in Arizona. This makes a difference for healing skin, since lower ambient UV means less pressure on your recovery and a lower chance of PIH. Plus, if you treat your skin during the fall, your skin will look fresh from the holidays all the way into spring before the next season of intense UV comes.
Ready to Book Your Fall CO2 Laser Treatment?
Book in early fall, let your tan fade and then heal through the gentler days of fall. Your skin gets the easiest possible recovery, and your results are ready right on time. If you have been thinking about CO2 laser resurfacing, you can start the process today.
Millennium Laser and Aesthetics Center proudly serves Phoenix, Scottsdale, Glendale and Peoria, Arizona. Call 623-412-2229 or reach out through our website to schedule your consultation.
