Should patients be instructed to keep areas treated with laser therapy out of direct sunlight?

Patients treated with laser therapy should be instructed to keep the treated areas out of direct sunlight because exposure to sunlight can cause adverse effects on healing skin. Laser treatments often leave the skin sensitive and more susceptible to UV damage.

Direct sunlight may induce inflammation, hyperpigmentation, or even sunburn in the treated areas, which can compromise the healing process and lead to undesirable aesthetic outcomes. By advising patients to avoid sunlight exposure, especially in the immediate aftermath of laser therapy, healthcare providers promote better healing and minimize complications, ensuring optimal results from the treatment.

In contrast, the other options imply either a lack of restriction or limited timeframes for sun avoidance, which do not adequately account for the heightened sensitivity of the skin post-treatment. Sun protection should ideally be a more comprehensive, long-term practice following laser therapy rather than a temporary or seasonal guideline.