Post-Summer Skin Care

Author: Keri Gardiner, Licensed Aesthetician, IVme Wellness + Aesthetics

As sad as it is, summer is almost behind us, along with extra time in the sun.  As much as we love spending time outside, it can wreck our skin. With busy schedules, skin care often gets pushed to the back burner. Now is the perfect time to get summer off of your face and reveal the bright and clear skin underneath. Contact your local IVme center to schedule your complimentary skin care consultation to learn what options are best for your skin.

Effects of Summer on the Skin

Seeing more hyperpigmentation, dryness and dull looking skin is common following summer.  Even with the use of regular SPF and Vitamin C, the underlying hyperpigmentation starts to surface with time in the sun.  Sun damage and melasma will appear darker and even new pigment will be visible.  Treating any of these skin conditions in the summer isn’t beneficial when upcoming sun exposure is probable.  Fall and winter months are the most common times of the year to target, lighten and eliminate the pigment from the skin.

Dull Looking Skin

The skin is the largest organ of the body.  Even with that fact, the skin is often neglected during the summer.  Heat and the sun both can lead to dehydration.  This can result in irritated, red and dry skin.  The skin cell turnover rate is approximately every 28 days.  When monthly professional treatments are missed, it leads to the build up of skin cells on the surface.  The mix dead skin build up and dehydration from the sun and heat, the skin can appear dull and drab.  

Resuming monthly treatments appropriate for your skin as well as the proper medical grade skin are products, will address the dullness and help to restore the skin health.  Monthly facials, DiamondGlow treatments,  and the use prescription strength retinol and medical grade hyaluronic acid will increase cell turnover and allow the skin to absorb product for deep hydration.

Our IVME centers offer customized treatments and product regimens.  Our experienced, licensed aestheticians will meet with you and work with you to determine the best plan for your skin.

Hyperpigmentation

When the skin is exposed to the sun, it triggers the body to produce more melanin resulting in tanned skin, melasma, freckles, and unsightly “sun spots”.  This production of melanin is the bodies own defense mechanism against the harmful UV rays. With the skin having more pigment, often times, the unwanted “spots” are harder to see.  Once the summer tan fades, the spots, freckles and melamsa hang around, making the skin appear dull and aged.

Professional chemical peels, monthly skin renewal facials and prescription strength lightening products are necessary to target excess pigment left on the skin. 

Melasma is a hormone induced pigment that leaves patches of pigment on the face. It is triggered by heat and sun exposure. There is no cure for melasma, however, it can be effectively lightened and lessened by prescription products such as Retinol and Hydroquinone 4%.  Using these products combined with deep chemical peels and micro needling will break apart and lighten the pigment.

Sun Spots/Freckles are individual spots left on the skin following sun exposure.  Most sun damage is caused before the age of 18.  Over the years this pigment slowly surfaces from deep down in the skin, resulting in dull spotted skin.  Using prescription strength retinol along with professional products containing tranexamic acid or hydroquinone will lighten the surface pigment.  Depending on the severity of the sun spots or freckles these products may work fine alone. However for more dramatic results combining with deep chemical peels as well as monthly facials or Diamond Glow treatment will assist in allowing these products to penetrate deeper into the skin.

Remove Summer from the Face

Now is the perfect time to start addressing the signs of summer on your face. Continuing with daily use of stable antioxidants and SPF is the first step.  Switching the rest of your at home products is the second.  The third is determining and implementing the best professional treatments for your skin. Our experienced and knowledgeable aestheticians will formulate the best protocol for your skin, life style and desired results. Contact the center nearest to you to schedule your complimentary skin assessment.

Photo by Lazar Gugleta on Unsplash