5 Skin Treatments to Plan Before Peak Summer

In New York, peak summer usually runs from late June through early September — roughly June 21 through Labor Day weekend. This is when sun exposure, beach days, travel, outdoor events, heat, and humidity become a bigger part of daily life.

That does not mean you have to stop getting treatments during the summer.

It simply means that certain treatments are easier to plan before peak summer if they are already part of your treatment plan. Some treatments involve peeling, resurfacing, bruising, swelling, or a stricter aftercare window, so timing matters.

Here are five treatments to think about before peak summer begins.

#1. CO2 Laser Resurfacing

CO2 laser resurfacing is one of the more intensive treatments used to improve the appearance of acne scars, enlarged pores, rough texture, sun damage, fine lines, and overall skin quality. Because CO2 resurfaces the skin and stimulates collagen remodeling underneath, it comes with planned downtime. The skin needs time to heal, and sun avoidance is an important part of that process.

Can you do it in the summer?

For the right candidate, yes. If you can stay indoors, avoid direct sun, skip beach or pool plans during recovery, and follow aftercare closely, summer treatment may still be possible.

Should you plan it before peak summer?

If CO2 laser is already part of your treatment plan, late spring or early summer can be one of the easier windows to schedule it before beach weekends, vacations, and stronger daily sun exposure become harder to avoid.

#2. Chemical Peels

Chemical peels can help with dullness, congestion, uneven tone, acne, texture, and discoloration. Depending on the type of peel, the skin may become dry, flaky, or more sensitive while it renews.That sensitivity is why timing matters. After a peel, your skin needs a more careful routine and consistent sun protection.

3. RF Microneedling

RF microneedling is a collagen-supporting treatment that combines tiny controlled micro-injuries with radiofrequency energy to help improve the look of skin texture, enlarged pores, early acne scarring, and mild skin laxity. Because RF microneedling works below the surface of the skin, it is often considered a lower-downtime option compared to more intensive resurfacing treatments. However, your skin still needs time to calm down after treatment, and the first few days of aftercare matter.

Can you do it in the summer?

Yes, for many patients. RF microneedling can often be done during the summer. It is best to avoid direct sun, excessive heat, sweating, saunas, pools, and intense workouts for the first few days after treatment. 

Should you plan it before peak summer?

If RF microneedling is already part of your treatment plan, starting before peak summer can help you stay consistent with your treatment series before vacations, outdoor plans, heat, and high-sun weekends make scheduling more difficult.

#4. Excel V+ Laser

Excel V+ is a laser treatment that can be used to target visible redness, broken capillaries, facial veins, post-acne redness, and certain types of discoloration.

Because laser treatments interact with pigment and blood vessels in the skin, timing matters. Recent sun exposure, tanning, or sunburn can make treatment less predictable and may increase the risk of irritation or pigment changes.

Can you do it in the summer?

Often, Yes. It depends on your skin type, whether the area being treated is tan, your recent sun exposure, and how well you can protect your skin afterward. If you are diligent with SPF, avoiding tanning, and limiting direct sun exposure, your provider can help determine whether treatment still makes sense during the summer.

Should you plan it before peak summer?

If Excel V+ is already part of your treatment plan, it may be easier to schedule before peak summer, when beach days, vacations, and stronger daily sun exposure can make aftercare more difficult.

#5. Microneedling (SkinPen®)

SkinPen microneedling is a lower-downtime collagen-support treatment that creates tiny controlled micro-injuries in the skin to help improve the look of texture, enlarged pores, early acne scarring, and overall skin quality. Because SkinPen does not use heat or laser energy, it can be a more flexible option for certain patients during warmer months. However, the skin still needs time to recover, and aftercare is important in the first few days after treatment.

Can you do it in the summer?

Yes, for many patients. Because SkinPen does not use fractional or ablative laser energy, it can be a more flexible option during the summer months compared to more intensive resurfacing treatments. That said, you should still plan around the first few days after treatment. It is best to avoid direct sun, pools, heavy sweating, intense workouts, and makeup while the skin is calming down and recovering.

Should you plan it before peak summer?

Because SkinPen does not use fractional or ablative laser energy, it can be a more flexible option during the summer months compared to more intensive resurfacing treatments. That said, you should still plan around the first few days after treatment. It is best to avoid direct sun, pools, heavy sweating, intense workouts, and makeup while the skin is calming down and recovering.

Planning Your Treatment Around Summer

Peak summer does not mean you have to pause your skin goals completely. It simply means timing becomes more important.

If your summer includes travel, beach days, swimming, tanning, or long periods outdoors, certain treatments may be better planned before late June or saved for fall and winter.

But if your schedule allows you to stay indoors, avoid direct sun, and follow aftercare closely, treatment may still be possible during the summer.

The right plan depends on your goals, skin, lifestyle, and how realistically you can protect your skin afterward. To discuss what makes sense for your skin and your summer plans, book a consultation with Dr. Kate Kleydman at Kleydman Dermatology.