Laravel update model with unique validation rule for attribute

I have a Laravel User model which has a unique validation rule on username and email. In my Repository, when I update the model, I revalidate the fields, so as to not have a problem with required rule validation:

public function update($id, $data) {
    $user = $this->findById($id);
    $user->fill($data);
    $this->validate($user->toArray());
    $user->save();

    return $user;
}

This fails in testing with:

ValidationException: {"username":["The username has already been taken."],"email":["The email has already been taken."]}

Is there a way of fixing this elegantly?

Append the id of the instance currently being updated to the validator.

1. Pass the id of your instance to ignore the unique validator.

2. In the validator, use a parameter to detect if you are updating or creating the resource.

If updating, force the unique rule to ignore a given id:

//rules
'email' => 'unique:users,email_address,' . $userId,

If creating, proceed as usual:

//rules
'email' => 'unique:users,email_address',