END-OF-SUMMER HEALTHY SKIN CHECKLIST

As the end of summer approaches, it’s a good time to re-evaluate your skin regimen. Summer can be a rough season for skin, from intense ultraviolet rays, to heat, humidity, and more time spent outdoors.

Restart your retinoid: Many patients stop using retinoids (such as retinol and tretinoin) during the summer because they make us susceptible to sunburn.  However, we’ve also missed out on the benefits of retinoids such as clearer pores, smoother skin, sun damage repair, and fewer breakouts.

Bump up your bleach: Most patients benefit from skin “bleaches,” also known as brighteners or lighteners. These creams fade brown spots, even out the skin tone, and also prep our skin for procedures. In the summer we often switch to milder products, but now is a good time to transition back to prescription-strength products.

Exfoliate: Does your skin look dull? You’re not alone. Exfoliate away layers of dead skin cells on the face, chest, arms, hands, and legs to be radiant again. An easy and painless way to glow immediately is with a Hydrafacial, a great year-round treatment, especially during the summer.

Laser: Did your sun spots, freckles, or melasma get worse?  Fall is the perfect time to clean it up with Clear + Brilliant laser, IPL, or a chemical peel.

Continue sun protection: Don’t forget to wear sunscreen every day, daily, even here in Tucson. It is important to wear sunscreen year-round, even on cold and cloudy days. You don’t have to see a sunburn to sustain sun damage.