Summer is all about sunshine, holidays, and outdoor adventures but if you’ve caught a natural tan, you should have been told you can’t have certain skin treatments like IPL or laser. And that’s absolutely true – for safety and insurance reasons, most professionals (myself included!) will not treat sun-exposed or tanned skin with IPL or laser. But don’t worry, that doesn’t mean your skin journey has to be put on hold!

Here are some fantastic alternatives to keep your glow going strong all summer long, without the risk.

🌿 Why You Should Avoid IPL & Laser on Tanned Skin

The darker pigment in the skin absorbs the heat from the laser and IPL making tanned skin is more reactive and at higher risk of hyperpigmentation, burns, and scarring when treated with IPL or laser. Even if you’re using a high SPF (which you should be), it’s important to understand:

SPF helps prevent burning — Not tanning.

That’s right. Wearing SPF 30 or even 50 won’t stop your skin from darkening if you’re out in the sun for long periods. It simply reduces the risk of burning and UV damage. The only true way to avoid tanning is to avoid sun exposure altogether or physically block the rays.

🧕🏻A Tip I Always Share – “Look at the Locals”

If you’ve ever travelled to countries with strong year-round sun like India, the Middle East, or much of Asia, you may have noticed that locals don’t sunbathe. Instead, they stay cool and protected in lightweight, loose-fitting clothes, long sleeves, and wide-brimmed hats. It’s not just for comfort, it’s cultural and practical.

In many parts of Asia, lighter skin has traditionally been associated with wealth and status, as it suggests someone doesn’t work outdoors. While beauty ideals vary from culture to culture, the message here is consistent: protecting your skin from the sun = protecting your long-term skin health.

🌟 So Which Treatments Can You Have in Summer?

If you’ve got a tan or have spent time in the sun in the past 4 weeks, here are two of my favourite, sun-safe treatments:

✨ Microneedling

This powerful yet gentle treatment stimulates collagen, improves texture, softens fine lines, and helps with pigmentation all without heat or light. It’s completely safe for tanned skin when done by a professional and tailored to your needs.

💡 Dermalux Tri-Wave MD LED Phototherapy

LED light therapy is your summer skin’s best friend. It uses therapeutic wavelengths of light to rejuvenate, calm, and heal the skin boosting collagen, reducing redness, improving acne, and giving an all-round radiant glow. It’s non-invasive, totally painless, and safe for all skin tones and conditions.

👒 Summer Skin Wisdom in a Nutshell:

• SPF helps prevent burning, not tanning.
• The only way to avoid a tan is physical sun protection: hats, clothing, and shade.
• IPL and laser are best saved for the cooler months (when your skin is naturally lighter).
• Microneedling and LED phototherapy are excellent alternatives during the sunnier season.
• And always, always: look at the locals — they know how to stay cool and protect their skin.

💬 If you’re not sure what treatments are safe for your skin this summer, pop me a message or book a consultation, I’m always happy to help your skin health, all year round!

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