When winter finally arrives, those wonderful days of summer can seem like nothing more than a distant memory. For some people, however, looking in the mirror can bring that sunny time back to mind right away—thanks to lingering signs of sun damage, including spots, redness, and uneven pigmentation. Anyone facing this problem should know that we offer pigment-focused laser treatments at our New Jersey practice.

Laser light can be used for a variety of benefits, including removing hair, lightening tattoos, reducing the severity of scars, and combatting acne. With our Alex TriVantage (ATV) laser, an advanced laser device, the powerful and focused beams specifically target darker pigment in the skin. The light rapidly heats the treatment area, killing off the unwanted pigment, prompting collagen generation, and providing other helpful changes.

In particular, Alex TriVantage (ATV) reduces the obvious appearance of sun-damaged skin, which can look redder or darker than surrounding tissue. Ultraviolet radiation exposure can also cause fine blood vessels to become more easily visible through the surface. Vbeam Perfecta laser light seals off and collapses these vessels so that they dissolve and are no longer visible. The result is a clearer complexion with more even coloring.

While these lasers have been designed to maximize comfort and results while minimizing side effects, patients should expect some post-treatment swelling and puffiness. Laser-treated skin is also especially prone to new damage from the sun, which makes winter a highly ideal time for choosing this strategy. Not only are the days shorter and nights longer, but the chilly—and often unpleasant—weather provides a seasonal excuse to stay indoors. Nobody will think twice if you say you’re hunkering down and getting cozy, so you can heal in privacy without needing to explain yourself if you don’t want to.

If you do go outdoors, be sure to wear sunscreen, especially on the laser-treated skin. Even if it’s cloudy or inclement, remember that the sun’s rays don’t stop when they hit the cloud cover. Ultraviolet radiation will still reach you, and it can cause damage that alters your results if you don’t protect against it.

If you’d like to learn more about scheduling a laser treatment—whether to focus on pigmentation issues or to handle a different cosmetic issue, such as unwanted hair or a problematic tattoo—contact Skin and Laser Center of NJ by calling 201-500-7525 or sending a message online.