‘Tis the season for laser treatments
It's the perfect time to reduce the harmful effects of summer sun and prepare skin for the year ahead. The cooler weather, shorter days, and slower pace create the conditions for skin renewal.
After a summer under the sun, my patients’ skin is telling me the story of their beach days and backyard gatherings, especially for those who spend weekends at the Jersey Shore. What started as cute freckles in June now appear as stubborn brown spots; fine lines deepen; redness and rough texture emerge; and that “sun-kissed glow” begins to look more like early aging.
In my dermatology clinic, I call the fall months our laser season.
I tell patients that fall is the perfect time to reduce the harmful effects of summer sun and prepare their skin to look its best for the holidays and the year ahead. The cooler weather, shorter days, and slower pace create the perfect conditions for skin renewal, allowing us to repair damage and restore radiance.
Why fall is the sweet spot for laser treatments
Lasers and energy-based treatments are among the most effective tools for improving skin tone, pigmentation, texture, and fine lines — but timing is everything. After any laser or energy-based procedure, the skin becomes temporarily more sensitive to UV rays. That’s why fall is a sweet spot: the UV index drops, we spend more time indoors, and therefore recovery is easier and more comfortable.
Cooler weather also makes it easier to protect healing skin with hats, scarves, and cozy layers which help shield it from the sun. The conditions will stay good all winter, but many of my patients prefer to start treatments now, giving their skin time to fully recover by the holidays.
What can we address with lasers?
Lasers and energy-based treatments can treat a variety of skin concerns:
Resurfacing lasers stimulate collagen production and improve fine lines, brown spots, acne scars, and uneven tone. They can also treat precancerous skin changes and help prevent the development of skin cancer.
Vascular lasers target redness, rosacea, and broken capillaries for a clearer complexion.
Pigment-specific lasers address brown spots, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and unwanted tattoos.
Radiofrequency devices provide subtle skin tightening and enhance collagen production.
Downtime can range from none at all to about a week, depending on the treatment. Most patients need a series of sessions to achieve their desired results.
One of my patients, a 42-year-old marketing executive from the Philadelphia suburbs, came to see me after a summer filled with travel. “My freckles have gotten so dark, and my rosacea is flaring,” she said. “What can I do to make my skin look better?”
We created a combination plan to target pigmentation, fine lines, and redness using both a fractional resurfacing laser and a vascular laser. The procedure took less than an hour, and after a week of mild downtime, her skin looked brighter, smoother, and more even.
After a month, the collagen stimulation was starting to become noticeable and her skin appeared plumper, firmer, and healthier. She told me, “I feel like all that sun damage was aging me 10 years. Now I finally look like myself again.”
Not just cosmetic
Beyond cosmetic procedures, certain lasers can remove or treat precancerous lesions called actinic keratoses, which are rough, sun-damaged patches that sometimes progress to skin cancer if untreated.
By gently removing these damaged cells and stimulating healthy new growth, laser resurfacing not only improves the skin’s appearance but also reduces future skin cancer risk.
As a cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon, I approach each patient not only from the perspective of how they can look better, but also how we can enhance skin quality and skin health.
Finding that intersection, where beauty meets prevention, is one of my favorite parts of practicing dermatology. Ultimately, healthy skin simply looks better: free of pigmentation, redness, fine lines, and rough texture.
We’re now in the peak of what I call laser season, and my advice to patients is to seize the pause between the intensity of summer and the rush of the holidays to help their skin recover from UV exposure.
Alternatives to lasers
Of course, laser treatment isn’t for everyone. Lasers offer a safe, medical approach to address damage before it worsens, but some people can’t tolerate downtime associated with some lasers. Others are looking for a more affordable option, as lasers can range in cost from $450-1200 per session, depending on the laser and location, with multiple sessions typically recommended.
Another powerful option is a regimen known as the “ABC’s plus sunscreen.” This means using products with vitamin A (a retinoid) to boost cell turnover and promote collagen production, vitamin B (niacinamide) to calm inflammation and support the skin barrier (and for some patients, an oral form may be appropriate after discussing with their dermatologist), and vitamin C to brighten and protect against environmental stress.
Protection is always the best prevention. I consider daily sunscreen a nonnegotiable, even on cloudy days. I recommend a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, and UPF clothing adds another reliable layer of protection. A consistent skincare routine can meaningfully prevent and even reverse signs of sun damage and skin aging, no lasers required.
May Elgash is a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon practicing at the Jefferson Laser Surgery and Cosmetic Dermatology Center.