By Melissa New
If you’re skincare savvy, you know that many advanced treatments like laser skin rejuvenation and stronger, more intense chemical peels aren’t always the safest procedures to undergo in the summer months. Such treatments can make skin especially sensitive to the sun’s harmful UV rays and the warmer temperatures we experience from June through September.
However, that doesn’t mean you must stop improving your skin’s health and appearance over the summer. Let’s examine three skincare treatments that allow you to continue your journey to better skin regardless of the season.
MICRODERMABRASION:
A treatment that can give you better skin instantly may sound too good to be true, but it isn’t. This unique procedure removes old skin cells by using a special, diamond-tipped device or aluminum oxide crystals, helping your skin look fresh and dewy. This treatment is comfortable, and there is no downtime. It’s great for mild sun damage, acne, pigmentation, scarring, dull skin tone and poor texture.
If your skin just needs a little pick-me-up, microdermabrasion is a gentle option that will have you back out enjoying life quickly. If you want more dramatic results, be sure to plan multiple treatments.
DERMAPLANING
Dermaplaning keeps skin looking fresh and radiant for special occasions like weddings and graduations that tend to pop up during summer.
Dermaplaning is a form of physical or mechanical exfoliation. Your licensed aesthetician will use a rounded scalpel blade held at a 45-degree angle to your skin to skillfully remove dead skin cell buildup through a series of short, light strokes. In addition to exfoliating, the procedure also removes all facial hair, aka “peach fuzz.” As a result, your skin is left feeling softer, brighter and smoother.
MICRONEEDLING (COLLAGEN INDUCTION THERAPY)
This treatment may be your ultimate skincare go-to in the summer. Growing in popularity by the day, microneedling rejuvenates skin by creating small, controlled injuries to your skin’s surface with tiny, painless vibrating needles. This action kickstarts your body’s wound-healing response and stimulates your skin’s production of collagen and elastin. In doing so, treatments gradually improve skin’s texture, tone, firmness and overall health.
Microneedling is a fantastic treatment because any skin type or condition can benefit from it. If a patient is concerned about acne scarring, fine lines, enlarged pores and/or crepey skin around their eyes or on the neckline, I usually turn to microneedling first. Your skin will be slightly red the day of the treatment, and you will want to be diligent about wearing sunscreen starting the next day.
So, if you’ve hit the pause button on scheduling any treatments this summer, you may want to reconsider and book a consultation with your aesthetician to discuss these options. Don’t let the sun prevent you from seeing an improvement to your skin’s health and appearance year-round!
Melissa New is an independent, licensed esthetician and owner of New Skin Care, based in Gulfport at Doctors Care. Reach her at (501) 328-7984.