CONSISTENT SUN EXPOSURE CAN GREATLY IMPACT THE SURFACE LEVEL OF OUR SKIN, IMPACTING OUR COLOR, TEXTURE, AND BALANCE LEVELS. IT IS EXTREMELY PREVALENT DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS, BUT NO MATTER THE TIME OF YEAR, YOUR SKIN HEALTH SHOULD BE FRONT OF MIND.
Summertime brings in all that us Wisconsinites have been missing. Heat, hangouts, and vitamin D! It’s important to enjoy summertime while it’s here while also properly caring for our skin safely and effectively as the season changes.
WHAT HAPPENS TO OUR SKIN IN THE SUMMER?
As heat, sun exposure, and humidity increase, our skin changes. For most of us, our skin feels more sweaty and oily in the summer than in the winter. In order to combat this, it is necessary to introduce more home care products that are going to control oil production and properly cleanse excess sweat and oil from the pores. Increased sun exposure can also result in new freckles, age spots, and general hyperpigmentation that pop up as our skin tries to protect itself from harmful UV rays. As our skin makes these changes with the weather, it becomes necessary to change our skincare routines too.
MEET YOUR BEST FRIEND - SUNSCREEN
After a long winter, it is understandable that all we want is to spend as much time soaking up the sun as we can, but it is necessary to remember that our skin is not acclimated to the sun’s strong and harmful UV rays. With this change in our environment, it is extremely important to change how we care for our skin. Sunscreen is important all year round, but as we spend more time outside in the sun, it is key to apply and reapply adequate UV protection. This will prevent sunburn, hyperpigmentation, premature aging, and most importantly, skin cancer.
Sunscreens For You: We probably all grew up hating sunscreen, and I get it! When we think of sunscreen we think of a greasy, blotchy, stinky cream that can never seem to be worn comfortably. Luckily, throughout the years sunscreen has come a long, long way. We now have sunscreens that match all skin tones, smell nice or don’t smell at all, and don’t feel greasy or heavy. Today’s sunscreens are formulated so that you will actually want to apply them every day.
Read our blog, “2023 Top 5 Sunscreens” to find your new favorite sunscreen
Maintain Your Investment: Another important reason for sunscreen is maintenance. Remember those laser treatments you got this past fall/winter? What about that series of peels? Without proper UV protection, these results can go right down the drain as more sun damage is endured. Treatments like these may help to reduce visible sun damage such as fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation, but all of those issues are more than capable of coming right back up if proper precautions are not taken. Protect your skin investments this summer and apply sunscreen, reapply, and reapply some more!
SUMMER SKINCARE
Not only do we need to protect our skin from UV rays in the summer, but we also need to help our skin combat the excess oil and sweat that it produces during the warmer seasons.
- Salicylic Acid: Introducing products with salicylic acid is helpful for those who struggle with oil-rich skin. Salicylic acid is able to penetrate deep into the pores to exfoliate dead skin, oil, and sweat build up. This prevents clogged pores and acne breakouts as well as decreases inflammation caused by excess oil production. The ZO Skin Health Oil Control Pads are perfect for introducing salicylic acid into your routine.
- Light Moisturizer: Introducing a lighter moisturizer into a summer skincare routine is also necessary as the skin tends to be less dry and dehydrated in the summer than in the winter. We love the SkinBetter Science Hydration Boosting Cream and the SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator.
GO-TO SUMMER TREATMENTS
If you’re familiar with the medical aesthetics world, you know that fall and winter is laser and peel season! This is because laser and peel treatments can significantly increase the skin’s sensitivity to UV rays. In the winter, the sun isn’t shining as long and we spend more time indoors, so it is easy to heal correctly and safely from these deeper treatments. Summertime on the other hand calls for more superficial skin treatments that don’t overly sensitize our skin to UV rays. Here are some of our summer favorites:
- HydraFacial: HydraFacial is an amazing summer skin treatment because it uses light exfoliating acids to break down dead skin buildup in combination with suction action to completely clear oil-filled pores. It also infuses the skin with hydrators and protective antioxidants to hydrate the skin deeply without heavy products. This no downtime treatment is the perfect facial for that smooth, glowy, summer skin!
- Microneedling (SkinPen): Microneedling creates micro channels in the skin that trigger the skin’s healing process resulting in production of collagen to smooth fine lines, minimize the appearance of pores, and smooth acne scarring. This is a low-downtime treatment that is safe for summertime!
- Light Chemical Peels: Exfoliating acids can result in an increased sensitivity to sunlight; however, light chemical peels are safe to do in summer as they gently break down dead skin build-up on the surface of the skin, decongest pores, and even skin tone. As long as sunscreen use is prioritized, a couple summer peels can provide a way to combat congestion and brighten skin tone. Some of our favorite no-downtime peels is the ZO Skin Health Stimulator Peel or our Renewal Peel which utilizes the Ultraceuticals PHA peel.
Summer skincare is all about protecting, maintaining, and exfoliating! By sticking to these steps, you’ll experience your best skin this summer on your camping trips, boat rides, and beach days. Enjoy summer and all it has to offer while still prioritizing happy, healthy skin.
Are you ready to start your rejuvenation journey at SKN BAR Rx?
Schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our highly trained and experienced aesthetic team to guide you to your best skin journey.
