Published August 18, 2026
Summertime, with increased exposure to sun and heat, is the time of year where it is crucial to pay close attention in choosing summer-safe skin treatments. We have preselected four favorite skin treatment protocols we consider safe for use during the summer months – Aerolase SkinPen, SkinTyte and Ultravision – and we take a deeper dive into each. All four offer little to no downtime, but strict sun protection and daily SPF use are necessary after treatment.
Sun and heat in summer months trigger the production of the melanin (color) in human skin. Melanin production is what causes tanning, brown spots and other color changes in skin. Unfortunately, many devices cannot differentiate between the pigment you are seeking to remove and the pigment contained in your current skin color.
Using certain skin treatment protocols during summer can, in some cases, lead to extreme sensitivity (pain) and burns. Burns can blister and 'stamp' patients, and these adverse events may not be reversible.
No skin treatment is safe for any skin type if the patient has been in the sun in the days leading up to treatment, especially if the patient is sunburned.
In fact, the more tanned you become, the more risky laser treatments in particular will become.
There are four preferred skin treatment options we consider safe to use during summer months. These skin treatments are considered summer safe because they do not remove the top layer of the skin or cause extreme photosensitivity like aggressive ablative resurfacing lasers do. They include:
Summer-safe skin treatments should always focus on deep hydration and minimal downtime without increasing sun sensitivity.
First, the question of downtime. Summer is a busy time with lots of outdoor fun in the sun – and no time for downtime. Fortunately, all four of these summer-safe skin treatments offer little to no downtime. Unfortunately, the devil’s in the details, and there are some exceptions to consider.
Aerolase: Generally, there is no downtime. The exception is when vessels are treated effectively the patient may experience some small bruising at the site of the vessel. Patients do not swell or peel from Aerolase treatments.
SkinPen: Generally, there is minimal downtime. Patients may appear red for 24-48 hours post treatment, and many experience light sand-paper-like texture a few days. This will naturally slough.
SkinTyte: No downtime at all.
Ultravision: Generally, there is no downtime. Patients may appear flushed the day of treatment, and many experience light sand-paper-like texture a few days after treatment. This will naturally slough and is not visually noticeable for most patients.
Different skin treatments present varying levels of discomfort. We all know the old saying “It hurts to be beautiful,” but with these summer-safe skin treatments, it either doesn’t hurt much or it doesn’t hurt at all.
SkinTyte is a relaxing treatment that patients enjoy! There is NO pain. Skin will appear temporarily pink after treatment, and patients may describe a tight or warm feeling in their skin as they leave our office.
With Aerolase, patients will generally feel warming of the tissue being treated, but not pain. No anesthetic is applied to the skin for this treatment. When hair follicles or vessels are being treated, the common sensation is similar to a spot of bacon grease that pops on your skin.
Both SkinPen and Ultravision do require topical anesthetic, and varying degrees of discomfort are experienced, dependent on the patient and the location we are treating. Generally, patients will feel a vibration sensation with SkinPen and a prickly sensation with Ultravision. There is no prolonged discomfort with either. Patients may describe a tight or warm feeling in their skin as they leave our office.
The Aerolase NeoSkin treatment is very safe for every skin type, no matter how dark the skin tone. The practitioner is able to choose the lens that suits the skin type, and the energy level that is safe. Due to the wavelength and speed of pulse delivery, this device is a safe treatment throughout the year.
What conditions can I treat with Aerolase? Aerolase has over 30 different indications for treatment! The most common are general skin aging, rosacea, melasma, acne, hair removal and vein reduction.
How many treatments? A minimum of four treatments are necessary to experience the full benefit of the Neoskin treatment. Treatments are generally recommended two weeks apart for acne, and three to four weeks apart for all other concerns/conditions.
Contraindications: Patients who have very recent unprotected sun exposure should not treat due to extreme sensitivity to the heat of the laser. Additionally, if a patient has an active herpes outbreak (cold sores) they may need to delay treatment.
Medical microneedling with SkinPen is safe year-round for all skin types. It offers gentle collagen stimulation, creating thousands of microchannels in the skin – making it a perfect environment to receive topical boosters. Included in the treatment is the use of a hyaluronic acid 'glide,’ but we encourage the application of either Ariessence, PRF, CBD (acne) or brightening complex. Unlike radiofrequency microneedling, there is NO heat added into this treatment. Needle depth varies and determines the downtime. The deeper the needle penetration, the more bleeding and 'trauma' the skin will experience, and the more sloughing the patient will experience as they are healing.
What conditions can I treat with SkinPen? Microneedling offers a great skin refresh, light skin tightening, pore/wrinkle reduction and reduction in many types of scars. It is a fan-favorite for our younger patients who really want a nice skin boost.
How many treatments? We recommend three to six treatments in a series for full benefits. Treatments are generally recommended four weeks apart.
Contraindications: Patients who have very recent unprotected sun exposure should not treat due to extreme sensitivity to the needles and more active melanocytes which can lead to issues with pigmentation post-treatment. Additionally, if a patient has an active herpes outbreak (cold sores) they may need to delay treatment.
Skintyte is a non-ablative infrared technology that delivers rapid pulses of gentle heat to tissue with a goal of tightening through collagen induction. Any skin type can be safely treated, any time of year. Skin types that respond best are crepey and light colored, because more heat can be delivered safely. This may be a good reason to delay treatment for patients who are tanning, due to the need to turn the power down during these times.
What conditions can I treat with SkinTyte? Skin that is crepey will respond best. The overall texture of treated skin improves, so it may improve the appearance of scars in the area being treated.
How many treatments? We recommend four to six treatments in a series for full benefits. Treatments are generally recommended two to three weeks apart.
Contraindications: Patients who have very recent unprotected sun exposure should not treat due to extreme sensitivity to the heat.
The Vivace Ultravision treatment is very safe for every skin type, no matter how dark the skin tone. The practitioner can choose the type of needle tip to suit individual skin type, and the depth and energy level that is safe for each patient. Due to the use of radiofrequency, this treatment offers a color-blind heat, which means it is safe for anyone! As a fun sidenote, we can turn off the radiofrequency and utilize this device for medical microneedling too!
No matter how we use Ultravision, the treatment will create thousands of microchannels in the skin that make it a perfect environment to receive topical boosters. Included in the treatment is the peptide masque, but we encourage the application of either Ariessence or PRF to help accelerate the healing process and amplify the results.
What conditions can I treat with Ultravision? Ultravision offers a great skin refresh, light skin tightening, and reduction in many types of scars.
How many treatments? We recommend three treatments in a series for full benefits, with treatments four weeks apart.
Contraindications: Patients who have very recent unprotected sun exposure should not treat due to extreme sensitivity to the heat of the radiofrequency and more active melanocytes which can lead to issues with pigmentation post-treatment. Additionally, if a patient has an active herpes outbreak (cold sores) or an active acne outbreak, they may need to delay treatment.
Results vary according to your age, skin type, and how well the skin responds to treatment – and which skin treatment you choose. Some people may need multiple treatments to achieve their desired results; some people see incredible results after their first treatment. Individual differences in how people respond are always hard to predict.
For three of the four summer-safe skin treatments on our list, once every six months will suffice for maintenance. Ultravision lasts a little longer and only requires maintenance between nine months to a year.
Before your first consultation, we will carefully examine your skin. We always take a complete medical history with each new patient and discuss your treatment goals. This appointment will be a time that we will review all of your options, and any associated risks or side effects, concerns about pain or downtime, or how many sessions you may need. You will also be encouraged to ask all of your questions.
A session can take anywhere from 15 minutes to hours, depending on the size of the area being treated, how many areas you need treated, and which particular treatment option you choose.
Prior to beginning, during or after treatment, it may be helpful to use certain skin products. We can discuss this in more detail. We encourage you to bring your current skincare routine with you to your consultation.
Because all of these treatment options are outpatient procedures, you can return home and immediately resume your normal activities.
Depending on the treatment option you select, we will discuss other specifics in detail with you at your first session. We also offer special skin care consultations to evaluate your skin issues.
If you want to improve the appearance and health of your skin during summer months, we invite you to reach out to us. We’re here for you and happy to answer any questions you may have about your goals and our methods for rejuvenating your skin, hair and overall health and wellness.
Our Raleigh, NC team of aesthetic nurses, Meredith Harris, NP, Heather Shelton Roberts, RN, BSN, and Natalie Walcott are amongst the country’s top specialists in both skin rejuvenation and nutrition. Together, they have administered safe and effective care for thousands of patients.
Let us put together a comprehensive skin health plan to help you love the skin you’re in – in any season. Call ☎ (919) 521-8282 or contact us online to schedule your consultation!
