Summer is here! The sun is shining, the temperatures are soaring, and your skin is soaking it all in. But hold on—while summer brings the joys of sunbathing and beach trips, it also demands a meticulous skincare regimen. Hydration, sunblock, and the right treatments and products can make all the difference in maintaining that summer glow. As a medspa aficionado, we’re here to guide you through the best practices and treatments for impeccable summer skincare. Get ready to glow with expert tips and recommendations that will make your skin the talk of the town.
The Importance of Hydration in Skincare
Summer’s heat can leave your skin feeling parched. Hydration isn’t just about quenching your thirst; it’s about keeping your skin plump, healthy, and radiant.
Drink Up!
Water is your skin’s best friend, no matter your skin type. Aim to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. For an extra boost, incorporate hydrating foods like watermelon, cucumbers, and strawberries into your diet.
Topical Hydration
Use a lightweight, hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid. This powerhouse ingredient attracts moisture to the skin, keeping it supple and glowing. Look for products that are non-comedogenic, so they won’t clog your pores in the summer heat.
Hydrafacials: Your Summer Skin Savior
When it comes to professional hydration, nothing beats a Hydrafacial. This treatment cleanses, exfoliates, and hydrates the skin deeply. It’s perfect for summer, offering immediate results without downtime. Your skin will feel refreshed, hydrated, and ready to take on the summer.
Another professional treatment option for summer skincare is chemical peeling. This involves applying a chemical solution to the skin, causing it to blister and eventually peel off, revealing smoother and more radiant skin. Deep peels are another treatment option for clear skin, often requiring a sedative, numbing the area, and fluids delivered through a vein.
2. Sun Protection: Your First Line of Defense
We cannot stress this enough: sunblock is non-negotiable. It’s your primary defense against harmful UV rays that cause premature aging and increase the risk of skin cancer.
Choosing the Right Sunscreen
Opt for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30. Ensure it protects against both UVA and UVB rays. If you have sensitive skin, choose a mineral-based sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
Reapplication is Key for all Skin Types
Apply sunscreen generously 15 minutes before sun exposure and reapply every two hours. Don’t forget areas like the ears, neck, and feet.
Medspa Recommendation: Photo Facials
To combat damage, consider a Photo Facial. This treatment uses intense pulsed light (IPL) to target and reduce the appearance of sunspots and pigmentation. It’s a fantastic way to keep your skin even-toned and radiant all summer long.
For severe skin issues such as sags, bulges, scars, deep facial lines, and severe wrinkles that do not respond well to chemical peels, cosmetic surgical procedures like carbon dioxide laser resurfacing, facelift, brow lift, eye lift, or soft tissue fillers can be considered as alternatives.
3. Summer Skincare Routine: Step by Step
Morning Routine
Cleanser: Start with a gentle, foaming cleanser to remove overnight impurities.
Serum: Apply a vitamin C serum to protect against free radicals and brighten your complexion.
Moisturizer: Use a lightweight, hydrating moisturizer.
Sunscreen: Finish with a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen.
Evening Routine
Cleanser: Use a gentle cleanser to remove makeup and impurities.
Exfoliation: Exfoliate 2-3 times a week to remove dead skin cells and prevent clogged pores.
Treatment: Apply a retinol or chemical peel for skin renewal. (More on this below!) For those considering a deep chemical peel, be prepared for severe redness, swelling, burning, and throbbing. Aftercare includes using surgical dressing, prescribed painkillers, soaking the treated skin, and apply ointment several times a day for about two weeks. New skin typically develops within this period, but long-lasting effects like redness, skin color changes, and loss of the ability to tan may occur. For those considering a medium chemical peel, expect redness, swelling, and a stinging sensation. Protective ointments can help soothe the area, and the healing process may involve crust formation and potential darkening or brown blotches.
Moisturizer: Use a richer moisturizer to repair and hydrate overnight.
4. Exfoliation: The Secret to Smooth Skin
Exfoliation is crucial in the summer to slough off dead skin cells and reveal a fresh, glowing complexion.
Chemical Peel: The Professional’s Touch
A chemical peel uses a chemical solution, such as glycolic acid or carbolic acid, to exfoliate the top layers of skin, improving texture and tone. They are particularly effective for treating damage caused by the sun and uneven pigmentation. Summer-friendly options like lactic acid peels are gentle yet effective.
At-Home Exfoliation
For at-home exfoliation, use a gentle scrub or an enzyme mask 2-3 times a week. Avoid over-exfoliating, which can strip your skin and make it more sensitive to the sun.
Exfoliation: The Secret to Smooth Skin and Even Skin Tone
Heat and humidity can lead to increased oil production and breakouts. Here’s how to keep your skin clear.
Lightweight Moisturizers
Switch to a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated without clogging pores. Look for ingredients like niacinamide, which helps regulate oil production.
Spot Treatments
For breakouts, use a spot treatment with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. These ingredients help reduce inflammation and clear pores.
Medspa Treatment: Dermaplaning
Dermaplaning gently exfoliates the skin’s surface, removing dead skin cells and peach fuzz. This treatment helps products penetrate better and keeps your skin smooth and clear. It’s an excellent way to maintain a flawless complexion throughout the summer. Deep peels are another treatment option for clear skin, often requiring a sedative, numbing the treatment area, and fluids delivered through a vein.
6. Soothe and Repair: Post-Sun Care
Despite our best efforts, sometimes sunburn happens. Here’s how to soothe and repair your skin.
Take a cool shower to lower your skin temperature. Avoid hot water, which can further irritate sunburned skin.
Apply aloe vera gel to soothe and hydrate the skin. Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce redness and pain.
7. Special Summer Treatments at the Medspa
Hydrafacial Treatment
A Hydrafacial is the ultimate summer treat for your skin. It deeply cleanses, exfoliates, and hydrates, leaving your skin looking and feeling rejuvenated. Plus, it addresses specific skin concerns like fine lines, elasticity, and firmness.
Chemical Peel
A chemical peel is fantastic for maintaining smooth, youthful skin. A light chemical peel and medium chemical peel are excellent options for summer skincare. A Light chemical peel improves skin texture and tone, lessen the appearance of fine wrinkles, and may cause redness, dryness, and mild irritation. A deep chemical peel can result in redness, swelling, and a stinging sensation, with a healing process that may involve crust formation and potential darkening or brown blotches. Opt for a lighter peel during summer to avoid excessive sensitivity to the sun and a deep peel during the fall and winter when you’re less exposed to sunlight. They help in managing pigmentation and keeping your skin texture even.
Dermaplaning
Dermaplaning is perfect for achieving a smooth and clear complexion. It removes dead skin cells and peach fuzz, making your skin look instantly brighter. It also allows your skincare products to penetrate deeper and work more effectively.
Photo Facials
Photofacials are excellent for treating skin damage and pigmentation. The IPL technology targets dark spots and evens out your skin tone, giving you a flawless summer glow.
8. Summer Skincare Myths Debunked
Myth 1: Oily Skin Doesn’t Need Moisturizer
Fact: All skin types need moisture. Opt for a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated without adding extra oil.
Chemical peels can sometimes result in uneven skin tone, especially for individuals with darker skin.
Myth 2: Higher SPF Means Longer Protection
Fact: SPF measures the level of protection, not the duration. Reapply sunscreen every two hours, regardless of the SPF.
Myth 3: Sunblock Is Only Needed on Sunny Days
Fact: UV rays penetrate clouds, so sunscreen is necessary even on cloudy days.
9. Must-Have Summer Skincare Products
Sunscreen
Broad-spectrum SPF 30+
Water-resistant formulas
Hydrating Serum
Hyaluronic acid
Lightweight and non-comedogenic
Exfoliator
Gentle scrubs
Enzyme masks
Spot Treatment
Salicylic acid
Benzoyl peroxide
Chemical peels can be effective for treating acne, hyperpigmentation, and improving overall skin texture. However, they are not effective for treating deep scars.
Moisturizer
Lightweight, oil-free formulas
Ingredients like niacinamide
10. DIY Skincare: Natural Remedies
Cucumber and Aloe Vera Mask
This mask is cooling and hydrating, perfect for a summer refresh. Wearing makeup can help conceal redness during the healing process after skincare treatments.
Ingredients:
1 cucumber
2 tablespoons aloe vera gel
Instructions:
Blend the cucumber into a puree.
Mix in the aloe vera gel.
Apply to your face and leave for 15 minutes.
Rinse with cool water.
Green Tea Toner
Green tea has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Ingredients:
1 green tea bag
1 cup hot water
Instructions:
Steep the tea bag in hot water for 10 minutes.
Let it cool and store in a spray bottle.
Use as a toner after cleansing.
Enjoy Your Summer with Radiant Skin
With the right skincare routine and professional treatments, your skin can thrive all summer long. Hydration, sun protection, and regular treatments like Hydrafacials, Light Chemical Peels, Deep Chemical Peel, Dermaplaning, and Photo Facials are your best allies. Embrace these tips and enjoy a summer of glowing, healthy skin. Don’t forget to visit your favorite medspa for personalized skincare advice and treatments tailored to your needs.
Remember, summer is a time to shine—so let your skin reflect the season’s brilliance!
