When the sun is out and the days are long, it’s easy to feel like summer is the perfect time to refresh your skin. But if you’re considering IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) or laser treatments, think twice before booking in during peak sunshine months. Here’s why and what I recommend instead.

Why Avoid IPL and Laser in Summer

IPL and laser treatments are incredibly effective for things like pigmentation, hair removal, and vascular concerns but they also make your skin more sensitive to UV exposure. This increases the risk of:

• Hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation
• Burns or blistering if exposed to the sun too soon after treatment
• Compromised healing and uneven results

Even incidental sun exposure (like walking the dog, driving, or sitting outside) can interfere with safe results. That’s why I always recommend avoiding laser and IPL treatments unless you’ve had no sun exposure on the area for at least 4 weeks before and after – and are committed to SPF 50 every single day.

📌 FACT BOX

SPF helps prevent burning – but it doesn’t stop your skin from tanning!

This is important because even a light tan means the skin has been altered by UV exposure, which increases your risk of side effects from laser or IPL treatments.

The Summer Friendly Alternatives

So what can you do if you still want to improve skin texture, tone, or firmness without risking sun damage? Here are my top summer-safe swaps:

Microneedling

Microneedling stimulates collagen production and improves everything from acne scars to fine lines without heat or light, so it’s safer in sunnier seasons. Just wear SPF and avoid strong sun for a few days post-treatment.

Best for:

• Acne scars
• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Pore size and skin texture

Plasma Fibroblast (on small areas only)

For targeted areas like eyelids, smokers’ lines, or small patches of loose skin, Plasma Fibroblast can still be an option in summer with very strict sun avoidance on the treated area for several weeks. It’s not for every client during this time, but under the right conditions, it’s an effective solution for non-surgical skin tightening.

Best for:

• Crepey eyelids
• Lines around the mouth
• Tightening small targeted areas

Chemical Peels

Gentler chemical peels can brighten, smooth, and refresh your skin without the risks of lasers or IPL. I tailor peels to your skin type and sun exposure habits – so you still get results without compromising safety.

Best for:

• Dull or uneven tone
• Mild pigmentation
• Acne-prone or oily skin

LED Phototherapy – Powered by Dermalux Tri-Wave MD

LED is the ultimate summer skin booster—non-invasive, heat-free, and completely safe for all skin tones and sun exposure levels. Whether you want to calm sensitivity, speed up healing, reduce breakouts, or restore glow, LED can be used alone or alongside other treatments.

We use the Dermalux Tri-Wave MD—the most powerful medical-grade LED system available. It combines blue, red, and near-infrared light to treat multiple skin concerns in one session, delivering results without downtime or risk.

Best for:

• Redness and sensitivity
• Acne and breakouts
• Dull, tired or ageing skin
• Healing support post-treatment

Summer is the time to protect and preserve your skin – not push it to its limits. Choosing the right treatments means:

• Better safety
• Consistent, visible results
• No need to cancel holidays or hide away

If you’re unsure what’s best for your skin this season, get in touch. I’ll tailor a summer-safe skin plan that works for your lifestyle and goals—so you glow now and long after the sun sets on summer.

All skin rejuvenation treatments whether microneedling, peels, LED or plasma remove dull, dead skin cells and stimulate fresh new skin growth. That new skin is more delicate and vulnerable to UV damage.

Wearing SPF 30–50 every single day isn’t just a safety measure – it’s how you protect your results, prevent pigmentation, and make your investment last longer. Your skin deserves the same care you give it in-clinic, at home too.

Need advice on SPF or summer skin essentials? Just ask—I’m here to help you glow safely, all year round.