Must Try Laser Treatments This Winter

Now that winter is well underway here in Canada, consider using the short days and constant overcast to your beauty advantage. Layers of sweaters, fleece, wool and down will do more than just keep you warm this winter– but also protect your skin! Shorter days this season means the absence of powerful sun exposure from UV rays that are the strongest in the summertime, which means the winter months are the perfect time to look into skin treatments that do not pair well with sunshine.

Here at McLean Clinic, our patients gravitate towards laser treatments which can help reverse aging signs, treat scars, or eliminate unwanted hair. Before we get into which laser treatments are the most popular, you may be wondering why winter is the most ideal time to get these beautifying treatments done. Well, look no further!

Your Summer Tan Has A Chance To Fade
Laser treatments respond the most favourably on fair skin because lasers are designed to specifically target darker areas of pigmentation. Because of this, they are limited in their ability to work on tanned skin whether it be by sitting out in the sun or from artificial lights of a tanning bed. As we are well into the winter season, your skin has had months to recover from the exposure it had from the summer.

Your Skin Will Be Sensitive to UV Light Post-Laser Treatment
Shorter days in the winter means the absence of powerful UV rays present in the summer, which means that winter is the best time to look into skin treatments that do not pair well with the sun. Your skin will be extremely sensitive to UV light after your laser treatment, which is why the overcast weather that characterizes the winter months is the most ideal. Exposure to UV light after your treatment will only intensify the sensitivity of your skin and can even impact the results of your treatment.

In the winter time, our days are shorter and there is generally less sunlight (at least compared to the sunlight we receive in summer). The extreme cold that we experience also means that we tend to spend more time indoors. As you sit by the fire with layers of blankets and a good book, you can be assured that you are giving your skin the proper time it needs to heal and properly recover.

Winter Layers = Protection
Layers of sweaters, fleece, wool, and down not only keeps you warm during winter but also provides your skin with an additional layer of protection as your skin heals post-treatment. Your winter wardrobe will also cover up any side effects you may experience after your treatment, such as redness, swelling, or peeling/flaky skin.

Delicate areas of the skin, such as the neck and hands, are also popular areas to treat through laser treatments. In the winter time, potential side effects can be easily hidden with cold-weather necessities such as oversized scarves and plush mittens.

Benefits of Planning Ahead
Although the results of a treatment will vary from patient to patient, it is normal for laser treatments to require a series of treatments before achieving optimal results. By starting earlier, you will be able to ensure that your treatment series is complete in time for summer to roll around.

Laser Treatments For Winter

Now that we understand why winter is the best time to get cosmetic treatments, let’s go into the specifics about each procedure so that you can pinpoint which option would work best for you and your needs.

Photorejuvenation has the ability to treat a variety of skin conditions as a result of sun damage such as lines and wrinkles, age spots, aging hands, small facial veins, and more! The treatment utilizes intense pulse light (IPL) or broadband light (BBL) to target signs of sun damage, skin discolouration, or rosacea. It works by gently heating up the outermost layers of the skin and delivers precise intense light to the targeted area directly to the skin without damaging the surrounding tissue. The result is a reduction in the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and pores as well as increased vibrancy and smoothness.

Epidermal peels, or chemical peels, produce dramatic consistent results, which is why they have been used in the cosmetic industry for decades! It is important to keep in mind, however, that they can make skin very sensitive to light, which is why winter is a great time to try these treatments. Chemical peels work to improve the overall tone, texture, and appearance of the skin and targets discolouration, sun spots, and hyperpigmentation. Chemical peels can also benefit your skin on a long term basis by stimulating your body’s natural production of collagen to strengthen the skin as well as provide you with anti-aging benefits.

Profractional Laser Resurfacing helps to reverse the signs of aging by reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles, and also smooths out discolouration by targeting hyperpigmentation, acne scars, melasma, and improves the texture of your skin. Almost anyone can benefit from Profractional Laser therapy because it is suitable for all skin tones and types! Within days of your treatment, you will notice an improvement in your skin’s tone and texture and your results will continue to improve over time due to the natural stimulation of collagen in the deepest layers of your skin.

Laser hair removal is the most optimal when it is performed in the cool dark months of winter when there is less risk of sun exposure. Laser technologies can be affected by skin tone, and being tan-free means that your results will be safer, faster, and better overall. This is because lasers can be attracted to the pigment in the skin, so less of a tan means that the treatment will be both safer and easier. For this reason, we recommend our patients to book laser hair removal sessions during the long, cool months of winter.

Next Steps

If you’re ready to see how a laser treatment can help deliver results to reveal a new and improved you this winter, the next step is to book a free consultation with the McLean Clinic team to discuss how we can help you achieve the results you desire.