After Summer Skin Care Tips

Post-summer skin care helps prevent premature aging and keep your skin healthy and young.,. In our last blog post, SOUTH FLORIDA CENTER FOR COSMETIC SURGERY discussed non-surgical treatment options to rejuvenate the face and reverse common signs of sun damage (e.g., wrinkles, pigmentation). However, our patients wanted to know if there are things they can do at home to rehab their skin after summer. No matter what your skin type is, sun damage can cause many problems starting with fine lines and wrinkles, dryness and uneven colour, and even serious conditions such as skin cancer. Here are a few post-summer skin care suggestions we can share to help you keep your youthful glow:

Summer Skin Care Tip: Soothe Sunburns

Have you failed to protect your skin during summer months,¬† and the unexpected, unprotected sun exposure leave you with angry, inflamed skin? If you‚Äôre in the middle of a nasty sunburn, aspirin or Advil can minimize the pain. Cold compresses will soothe the burnt area and a topical hydrocortisone cream can speed up your skin‚Äôs recovery. The sun can be a scary thing to deal with, and when you are burnt by it, there is no need to suffer. Make sure that your skin isn’t being exposed any longer during the healing process so as not to worsen the damage. Drink plenty of water or other non-fruity drinks for hydration. Use a moisturiser that contains aloe vera to soothe the skin and reduce inflammation. Take cool showers a few times a day to help with heat and dryness.

Summer Skin Care Tip: Lighten Sunspots and Freckles

Perhaps your sunscreen didn’t have enough SPF (or you were careless in your application), and as a result you have noticeable sunspots and freckles. Try an over-the-counter retinol product that will increase cell turnover and lighten spots. Or, look for a serum with skin brightening ingredients like vitamin C. There are a few natural remedies you can use to reduce the appearance of freckles and dark spots such as sour cream, lemon juice, honey, yogurt, and even onions. Choose one that works best for you, apply gently on the problematic area and leave on for 10-15 minutes. Wash off with cool water, dry carefully and don’t forget to use a moisturiser.

Summer Skin Care Tip: Exfoliate Gently

Exfoliation is a critical part of any skin care routine, especially a routine to rehab damaged and dry sensitive skin. Exfoliating removes layers of tired, dead skin cells (that would otherwise clog pores), kick-starts your skin renewal process, and helps creams and serums penetrate the skin more easily. Exfoliation is a necessary step whether you have dry or oily skin. Removing the dead skin cells and providing deep cleaning regularly is one of the best practices to keep the youthful glow and stimulate regeneration processes.

Summer Skin Care Tip: Tweak Your Diet

Following a Mediterranean-inspired diet restores much-needed omega fatty acids and antioxidants to your skin. In case you’re wondering why antioxidants are so important and how they affect the health of our skin, here’s a quick chemistry lesson. Every day we encounter free radicals (some are produced by our bodies, some caused by the environment around us. Simply put, free radicals are single atoms that attack and break down the skin collagen molecules which results in deep wrinkles and other signs of ageing. Antioxidants are your skin’s armour. They create a barrier between your skin and the environmental factors and create a protection layer to fight free radicals and take the damage. Incorporate plenty of fish, fruit, vegetables and olive oil into your diet to keep supplying your skin with a healthy amount of antioxidants and watch your skin start to glow!

Summer Skin Care Tip: Moisturize Dry Lips

Too much sun and not enough hydration can leave the lips looking like a dry, rough mess. Use a gentle scrub to exfoliate dead cells, and then pamper them with a moisturizing balm. Another great way to revitalize chapped lips is to use honey (it has natural healing powers).

When to Seek an Expert Opinion

If your post-summer skincare issues are more serious — for example, you have deep wrinkles, stubborn discoloration or leathery skin texture, and over-the-counter skin care products don’t help — our experts can step in and assist you.  We can help you develop a personalized skin care regimen that is best suited for your needs. If the summer has caused an outbreak of a medical issue like eczema or rosacea, call your dermatologist for an appointment.

At South Florida Center for Cosmetic Surgery, we offer a range of treatment options to rehab your skin and restore a beautiful glow. Call us today at 954.565.7575 so we can design a plan for your needs.