How should I prepare my skin for laser resurfacing?

One mistake to avoid with laser resurfacing is treating preparation as something you improvise from forum threads. The my.clevelandclinic.org rule below is short, and it starts weeks before the appointment.

The four-week sun rule

my.clevelandclinic.org advises avoiding tanning or heavy sun exposure and using a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily for four weeks before treatment. Count the four weeks back from your appointment date and mark the start on a calendar.

Your clinic's list comes first

A single sun rule is not a full preparation plan. Your provider knows the treatment you are booked for and can tell you what else to do or stop doing. Do not start new products or procedures on your skin in the weeks before without telling them, and bring that up when you book, not on the day.

Further sources on sun and skin

The Aesthetic Society's laser skin resurfacing page gives an overview of the procedure. WebMD's laser skin resurfacing guide lists benefits, side effects and average cost. If sun damage is part of why you are considering a laser, read how dermatologists treat sun-damaged skin and a rundown of wrinkle treatments from retinol to fillers.

If you cannot avoid the sun for four weeks

If you cannot keep sun exposure down for the full four weeks, tell your provider before the appointment instead of going ahead quietly. Raise it early, while a plan can still change.