5 skin treatments you should avoid during the summer: from IPL sessions and chemical peels to sclerotherapy, body sculptors to laser resurfacing – excessive sun exposure can reduce their efficacy

Jul 14 , 2023

As dermatologists and experts know well, the efficacy of skin treatments can depend on the season. Photo: Handout

With the sun beating down relentlessly, our skin becomes more sensitive and prone to UV rays, which is why it’s important to pick and choose your skin treatments wisely during summer

IPL is great for targeting pigment irregularities, but exposure to sun can reduce its impact – the same goes for chemical peels and laser resurfacing, while liposuction requires bandages to heal

As the sun beams down on us and temperatures rise, it’s time to switch up our beauty routines to ensure we take the best care of our skin. However, while countless beauty treatments are available, not all are suited to the sunny season.

Some procedures are better left for the colder months, as they may require healing time and limited sun exposure to work their magic. “When it comes to beauty treatments, fillers, LED therapy and radiofrequency are year-round safe options as they don’t disturb the skin barrier or carry the risk of sun-related hyperpigmentation,” says aesthetician and skin therapist at Fild Studio Keiko Negishi.

On the other hand, she points out that invasive lasers, chemical peels with associated downtime and body-sculpting treatments “are better suited for the autumn or winter seasons, providing enhanced safety and optimal results”.

If you are uncertain which procedures are suitable for which season, here are some treatments that industry professionals recommend you wait until winter to undergo.

1. IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) treatments

IPL is considered an effective treatment for combating skin concerns. Photo: Handout

While IPL is a fantastic option for combating various skin concerns, it’s crucial to avoid it in the summer. The treatment targets pigment irregularities, but sun exposure can increase skin sensitivity, leading to potential complications like burns or hyperpigmentation.

Your skin may be more sensitive during the summer. Photo: Handout

Moreover, if the skin surrounding the targeted brown spot is tanned, the laser may struggle to distinguish the specific spot, resulting in the generation of heat over a larger area, which can potentially lead to skin damage and burns. Therefore, it’s important to be cautious and avoid IPL when the skin is tanned or exposed to the sun.

2. Chemical peels

Chemical peels aren’t ideal during the summer. Photo: Handout

Although chemical peels work wonders in renewing and rejuvenating the skin, they’re not the best choice for sun-kissed summer days. These treatments are beneficial for addressing acne scarring, dark spots and hyperpigmentation, but they involve exfoliating the top layer of skin, making it more vulnerable to UV radiation.

It’s important to take care of your skin, especially in the summer heat. Photo: Handout

It’s crucial to avoid exposing the skin to the sun immediately after the treatment, as it not only heightens the risk of sunburn and skin cancer but can also counteract the procedure’s benefits. Deeper chemical peels – such as retinol-based ones – that require downtime are best saved for the cooler months, as the newly revealed skin is delicate and requires time to heal.

3. Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is often treated for spider veins. Photo: Handout