16 Dec 2025
It may sound cuckoo to talk about sun damage in December as the weather outside your window in Boston is more likely to consist of grey clouds and snowflakes. However, this is one of the reasons why winter is laser season. December/January/February can be an ideal period to think about diminishing the appearance of sun spots as it gives you time to heal without incurring further damage. No matter how diligent you may be about applying sunscreen and not baking in the sun, some degree of sun damage is inevitable. It’s a sign of a well lived life. But one of the things that always surprises my laser patients is what an enormous difference reducing sun spots can make in terms of how they both look and feel. Any kind of discoloration makes the human eye catch and perceive your skin as looking less vital. Smoother looking skin therefore translates as being more radiant and youthful. Who doesn’t want that, right? Here are some of my top laser choices for reducing the appearance of sun damage.
Photo Facial with Intense Pulse Light (IPL)
IPL or Intense Pulse Light utilizes a broad spectrum of light to break down any areas of pigment such as brown spots. It also works on broken blood vessels and general areas of redness which can be another side effect of too much time spent in the sun. One of the things that patients like about IPL is that it’s extremely effective with little to no downtime. This is why I refer to as a “Photo Facial”. It’s typically my first line of attack for treating mild to moderate sun damage. The treatment is performed in the office and is not considered painful by most. It feels akin to a rubber band snapping on your skin. Not anyone’s favorite sensation, but tolerable. I also like IPL for its versatility as I can treat sunspots anywhere on your body including the:
- Face
- Neck
- Chest
- Back of hands
Generally, an optimal result will require multiple treatments spaced 2-4 weeks apart.
Fraxel Laser for Sun Damage in Boston
For patients with a more moderate to severe degree of sun damage, my go-to laser is often a Fraxel laser. Like all lasers, this procedure uses a specific wavelength of focused light to correct skin imperfections such as brown spots. More intense than IPL, the benefit of a Fraxel laser is that it doesn’t damage the entire surface of your skin like an ablative laser. Instead, it emits microscopic laser columns that eradicate sun spots, and encourage collagen and elastin production while leaving portions of your skin intact thus resulting in a faster recovery. Generally, you can expect your skin to look red and unhappy, and you may have some peeling for about 3-5 days. But most consider the end result of glowy, smooth skin well worth it.
Fractional CO2 Laser for Serious Sun Damage
A fractional laser skin resurfacing procedure with a CO2 laser is often best for those patients with severe sun damage. It is definitely a more robust procedure that will require downtime. But it can also deliver a truly amazing result. At Boston Center for Plastic Surgery (BCPS), we use the AcuPulse™ which has 11 different treatment options making it a CO2 laser that is incredibly customizable. Not only is this a laser that can work wonders on your sun damage, but you can also expect to see significant improvement in:
- Fine lines
- Deeper wrinkles
- Hyperpigmentation
- Uneven, “crepey” skin texture
- Scars, including acne scars
- Mild skin sagging
So while yes, you will need a few weeks for recovery, the end result of a CO2 procedure can be significant.
To find out more about IPL, Fraxel, CO2 laser, or any other aesthetic treatment with Dr. Melissa Michelon at Boston Center for Plastic Surgery, contact us today or call (617) 450-0070 to schedule a consultation.
