Timing Your Treatments: What to Avoid in Sun Season
Summer skin treatments in Courtenay, BC. The treatments we don’t want you to book this summer. The right treatment at the wrong time? That’s a bad treatment.
At Clinic 5 Collective medical spa in Courtenay, we love helping our clients achieve glowing, healthy skin—but even the best treatments can backfire if they’re booked at the wrong time of year. When it comes to sun exposure and skin treatments, timing isn’t just important—it’s everything.
As summer rolls in and the sunshine sticks around a little longer each day, it’s essential to understand which treatments are not summer-friendly. Some services can leave your skin more sensitive to UV damage, slow healing, or increase the risk of hyperpigmentation if you don’t time them properly.
Whether you're a skincare regular or just getting started with advanced treatments, this guide will walk you through what to avoid in peak sun season—and what to book instead. Your skin will thank you.
A good rule of thumb is if it makes you peel or go red for more than a day, save it for the fall—or be fully committed to staying out of the sun for at least a week before and after. Not sure what’s safe for your skin this summer? We’ve got you.
Avoid This: Lumecca IPL
Swap For: Bela Md+ or LED Light Therapy
Lumecca IPL is a powerhouse for reducing pigmentation, redness, and sun damage. But it’s ironically not suited for sunny seasons. IPL targets pigment—and even the slightest tan increases your risk of burns, blotchy healing, or rebound pigmentation.
Why skip it in summer:
You must avoid sun 1–2 weeks before and after
Higher risk of uneven results or irritation on sun-kissed skin
Healing skin is more vulnerable to UV exposure
Do this instead: Book a Bela Md+ treatment—a skin health powerhouse that deeply exfoliates, hydrates, and infuses customized ingredients with zero downtime. For added healing, try LED LightStim therapy to reduce inflammation and boost glow.
Avoid This: Advanced Chemical Peels
Swap For: Vivier Peel or Jelly Mask Facial
Our stronger chemical peels (like TX Jessner Plus) offer major results—but they come with peeling, redness, and a temporarily weakened skin barrier. Combine that with Courtenay’s summer sunshine and you’re looking at a recipe for hyperpigmentation or sun sensitivity.
Why skip it in summer:
Post-peel skin is highly sun-sensitive
UV exposure can delay healing or cause pigment issues
It’s hard to avoid sunlight long enough for safe recovery
Do this instead: Try our Vivier Peel, a gentle yet effective no-downtime option. Or treat your skin to a cooling Jelly Mask Facial—perfect for soothing dryness and heat-triggered inflammation.
Avoid This: Laser Hair Removal (Diolaze XL)
Swap For: Professional Waxing
Laser hair removal is most effective on untanned skin with high contrast between skin tone and hair color. That’s why we typically recommend starting laser in the fall or winter. Summer exposure makes it harder to maintain the necessary sun precautions—and tanned skin raises your risk of laser burns. That being said, if you protect the treatment area from direct sun exposure, you can safely continue with your sessions.
Why skip it in summer:
Skin needs to be its natural tone for safe, effective results
UV exposure before or after can interfere with your progress
Sun + laser = higher risk of irritation and side effects
Do this instead: Book a waxing session with our skilled team. Bree, our resident waxing expert in Courtenay, is known for fast, meticulous, and surprisingly comfortable hair removal. It’s summer’s best no-fuss alternative.
Avoid This: Deep Microneedling
Swap For: LED Light Therapy or Targeted Hydration
Microneedling is great for collagen production and skin texture—but deeper sessions can leave your skin red and vulnerable for a few days. Add UV exposure to the mix, and you’re at higher risk of post-treatment pigmentation or inflammation.
Why skip it in summer:
Open skin channels and sunlight don’t mix well
Healing may be delayed in heat or humidity
Requires full sun avoidance for a week post-treatment
Do this instead: Focus on LED facials and hydration-boosting treatments to maintain skin tone and texture until fall. If you’re craving results with minimal disruption, Bela Md+ includes surface exfoliation and serum infusion that’s perfect for the season.
If it makes you peel or go red for more than 24 hours, it’s probably best to wait until fall—or you must commit to avoiding the sun completely for a week before and after.
Don't Forget Your SPF
All of this only works if you’re protecting your skin daily. At Clinic 5 Collective, we carry professional-grade sunscreen that feels good on your skin and actually works.
Top picks for Courtenay summers:
Vivier Sheer SPF 30 – Lightweight mineral protection
NUDA Solarglow SPF 30 – Tinted, glowy, and doubles as makeup
Apply every morning. Reapply every few hours. No excuses.
Book Smart, Not Just Soon
At Clinic 5 Collective in Courtenay, we believe good skincare is about timing, trust, and tailored care. Let us help you make choices that work with your lifestyle, the season, and your long-term skin goals. Book your consultation with our team.