The final days of summer are here, meaning that it’s the time of year that we must come to terms with the effects that all of the heat, sun, wind & summer cocktail parties had on our skin.
The sun’s rays take a toll on your skin, even if you haven’t suffered a sunburn, there are still long-term consequences lurking within. There’s no denying that the sun prematurely ages the skin. Consider an apple slice for a moment – if you leave it out in the sun, the apple will eventually turn brown and begin to break down. Your skin experiences a similar progression when exposed to the sun’s damaging rays.
While the weather at the moment may still be a little too sunny & warm for chemical peels or laser treatments, now is most definitely the time to call ahead and schedule that appointment! There are also several other steps that you can take to alleviate the damage your skin has accumulated over the past few months. Here are some of our favourite ideas for restoring and repairing your skin, just in time for the leaves to fall and the air to cool.
The problem: Uneven skin tone & texture
The solution: Chemical peels
Peels reduce the signs of photoaging (aka sun damage) including uneven skin tone, texture, wrinkles, fine lines & age spots. Since the treatment triggers the production of collagen and elastin, it rejuvenates the skin leaving you with a youthful glow. During the summertime, chemical peels are a big no-no. Why? Because the solution applied to your face exfoliates your skin, revealing a fresh layer that’s highly vulnerable to sun exposure. In the autumn, however, chemical peels (and microdermabrasion) are both ideal treatments for the end of summer, & before fall activities begin populating your calendar. Post-treatment, you may need a few days to recover at home, so it’s best to schedule these types of procedures at the end of your work week, and definitely not right before a big event.
The problem: Wrinkles, sagging skin, age spots
The solution: Fractional laser treatments
If you’re someone who enjoys spending a lot of time out in the sun and perhaps isn’t so good about applying SPF, you may have acquired some unwanted lines & colour on your face this summer. Addressing visible sun damage requires a more intensive post-summer treatment like a fractional laser treatment to truly exfoliate and improve your skin. High levels of sun exposure can cause skin discoloration and damage to skin cells themselves. Lasers to the rescue! A Fractional laser creates tiny, precise wounds in the skin, essentially damaging it, which triggers the body’s natural healing response. This action pushes out the old damaged skin and replaces it with smooth new baby skin. It can even help undo precancerous damage to the skin cells themselves.
The problem: Fine lines and wrinkles
The solution: Microneedling
If summer has left your skin parched & dehydrated or if you’re simply starting to consider anti-aging measures, microneedling is a no-brainer. Microneedling is a cosmetic procedure that uses a device with multiple thin, sharp needle tips to make punctures in the skin. The process works by increasing the production of collagen, an essential protein that keeps the skin firm with a smooth texture, which in turn reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines and elevates the overall texture of your skin. When the micro-punctures heal, your skin tone and texture gradually improve. When done every 4-6 weeks, it’s like making a deposit into the bank account of your skin. It essentially rewrites your skin’s future by helping it stave off the visible signs of aging and prolong the effects of other anti-aging treatments like neurotoxin injections & dermal fillers.
The problem: Visible sun damage on the face, chest and arms
The solution: Intense Pulsed Light (IPL/photofacial) treatment
While you might have been diligent about reapplying sunscreen to your face, it’s not just your cheeks and forehead that had to survive the summer. Your neck, chest and hands also likely received an unhealthy dose of UV exposure and probably need a little attention, too. This is the perfect job for IPL, AKA a photo facial laser treatment, a popular rejuvenation treatment that improves the overall look of the skin by targeting brown spots and blotchiness while stimulating the production of collagen and elastin fibres throughout your skin. How does it work? Pulses of light are used to penetrate deep into the skin, which causes your blood vessels to constrict. It’s not super painful, but it may result in a little swelling, and therefore requires some downtime post-treatment.
The problem: Moisture loss
The solution: Dermatological-grade at-home skincare
For a less intensive (but equally important) approach to autumn skin rejuvenation, remember just one thing: good at-home skincare is key! Repairing the skin after the summer is important for the overall appearance and health of our skin and prepares us for the harsh winter ahead. We recommend a multi-step, customized routine consisting of emulsifier-free Dermaviduals products to get your skin back into shape. And even though summer may be drawing to a close, your morning routine should still include applying SPF, preferably one that contains zinc & titanium oxide.
For more information about our customized skin restoration & anti-ageing treatments including Botox and dermal fillers, contact our clinic at 403-559-6047 or request a consultation appointment today.