Summer Skin Care Tips

SUMMER SKIN CARE TIPS with our Clinical Aestheticians

Q: What is the best way to take care of my skin in the summer?

A: PROTECT PROTECT PROTECT. We love the sun and thankfully it is almost always present here in southern California, but what we hate is aging skin, uneven skin tone & discoloration. To prevent & prolong these dreaded conditions the best thing you can do for your skin is to protect it! Especially if you are using any kind of hydroxy acids on your skin, such as Retin-A, glycolic or salicylic acids or benzyol peroxide for blemishes. These things make your skin more photosensitive a.k.a. it will burn easily and could leave hyperpigmentation in it’s place for the rest of your years. For this reason, enzymes with a gentle mechanical scrub are my favorite for summer months. Stay away from harsh scrubs that can make dehydration more intense and contribute to aging skin.

Q: What kind of sunscreen should I be using?

A: The quick answer is something between SPF 15-55. Anything over does not actually add much more protection, only more chemicals and you don’t need more of that on your skin. The best rule of thumb is to apply 20 minutes before you go into the sun and reapply every hour if you are fair and every 2 hours if you are darker skinned and rarely or never burn.

“But what if you don’t ever burn?” Yes, you still need SPF for protection against skin cancer.

Q: What is the best way to get quick results?

A: GET ON A PROGRAM & STICK WITH IT. Consistency is key–just like going to the gym; you might feel good after just one visit but it won’t change your aesthetic. To get a quick fix & lasting results seek professional guidance & stay with it. If you can’t realistically get a facial treatment every month as recommended, at least get on quality, “grown up products.” a.k.a. ditch the drug store brands that do little to no good for your skin and invest in something with high quality ingredients that will improve & protect your skin. If you’re doing good things to your skin at home, you can get away with seeing a professional about 4 times a year- as it is important to make sure you’re on the right track & change up your routine as the seasons change. If you are trying to reverse damage (sun spots, wrinkles, loss of elasticity, uneven pigment, acne, Rosacea, etc) You’ll need a more intensive in clinic treatment plan to get amazing results.

Q: Is it true that if I start getting facials that my skin will get “addicted” to facials and I will constantly need to come in?

A: You won’t “constantly” need to come in, but you will most likely become addicted to the results! Everyone is different. Some are more apt to do extra steps at home so that they don’t have to see their skin therapist as frequently. Others can’t be bothered at home so they choose to get in office treatments more regularly. Your lifestyle definitely needs to be factored in when you’re creating a regimen or you’ll be less likely to follow it and your skin will never change.

Q: What are your favorite products?

A: Ones that work and don’t cost a fortune! Anything under $250 for a potent product is what I consider “not a fortune.” Of course they don’t have to cost that much, but be wary of the product that promises the world but costs less than $50…high quality formulations & ingredients cost money, there’s no way around it. The better the quality, the better the results. I love serums- they pack the most punch in repair and protection of you skin. My favorite for summer is the “Firm & Repair” serum at Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery Group. Full of potent ingredients with no fillers, it increases your skin’s hydration, boots elasticity & collagen production, brightens/evens out the complexion. A lot of action in one product- I love that. Duchess Marden’s Body Serum is my all time favorite body product- repair and hydration in one step- there’s nothing else like it on the market.

So much of what’s on the market for skin care is just being marketed to you. As a consumer it’s hard to weed through the inflated claims and sales pitches to get to the heart of it. What I always teach is that ingredients don’t lie, so it’s a good place to start. Google ingredients to find out what you’re actually putting on your skin. If you need help deciphering the cryptic language, call your Aesthetician and if they can’t help you, find a new one who can!