Ah, summer. It’s the season of beach parties, sunshine, and SPF! Make no mistake about it: sun protection is essential if you want to protect your skin and prevent signs of early aging. However, SPF is not the only thing mature skin needs in the summer. Hydration, antioxidants, and gentle exfoliation are all important parts of an anti-aging skincare routine – especially when the temperature starts climbing.
Summer Hydration
For one reason or another, winter has the reputation of being the season for moisturizer. But moisturization is just as important in the summer months. This is especially true in Florida, where the sun can be pretty relentless. Skin that is moist, hydrated, and supple is less prone to sun spots, uneven texture, and other types of sun damage.
To keep your skin hydrated, make sure you’re drinking plenty of water. If you have trouble remembering, buy yourself a nice water bottle and keep it with you at all times. Set a daily goal to drink two or three bottles of water, and it will soon become a consistent habit.
Make sure you’re using a high-quality moisturizer every morning, too. Many women prefer a lightweight moisturizer for summer, but if you’re noticing any dryness or flakiness after time in the sun, that’s a sign you could benefit from a heavier, more emollient product.
You may also want to add one of the following med spa treatments to your routine:
- HydraFacial Plus: This specialty facial treatment nourishes your skin with intense moisturizers. We can even add Britenol Booster Serum to ease the appearance of sun spots.
- Balance Signature Facial: As the hydrating facial Orlando women can rely on, our signature routine is relaxing, refreshing, and moisturizing for dull or tired skin.
- Steam and Extractions: Dry skin can clog pores. A steam and extraction treatment can clear your pores, allowing moisturizers to penetrate more deeply.
Antioxidants
The term “antioxidants” is used quite often, but let’s take a step back and examine what it means. Antioxidants are compounds that absorb free oxygen radicals that would otherwise damage your skin. If the free oxygen radical binds to the antioxidant first, then it won’t bind to your skin cells. In short, antioxidants help prevent skin damage, including damage from the sun.
One of the best ways to make sure your skin gets all of the antioxidants it needs is to eat plenty of antioxidant-rich foods. Luckily, many of the fruits and veggies that are in season in the summer are great sources of antioxidants. Blueberries, strawberries, oranges, and spinach are all great choices. Add a cup of green tea to your routine for both hydration and antioxidant benefits. Consumed regularly, antioxidant-rich foods may help with signs of skin aging.
You may also want to look for a moisturizer that contains antioxidants for skin, like vitamin E and vitamin C. The practitioners at Balance MedSpa would be happy to suggest products that are best suited to your skin type.
An antioxidant-rich serum is also applied during the last step of the HydraFacial – as if we needed yet another reason to love this treatment! If you have a beach week coming up, you may want to schedule a session a few days beforehand to ensure you show up fully protected.
Exfoliation
Exfoliation is all too often overlooked in summer skincare. While removing the outermost layers of your skin might seem harsh, it actually has strong anti-aging benefits when done routinely and in moderation.
First, make sure you’re using an exfoliating face wash a couple of times per week. Most of them include a chemical exfoliator, like salicylic acid or lactic acid. This will help remove dead skin cells, which will brighten your complexion and help prevent pores from clogging. It will also make fine lines and wrinkles less obvious.
Balance MedSpa also offers several exfoliation treatments with anti-aging benefits:
- Balance Peel: Formulated with three acids, this chemical peel brightens and smooths skin. Regular treatments can have anti-aging benefits that last far beyond summer.
- Jessner’s Peel: Some clients prefer this peel, which works well for sun-damaged skin with an uneven texture.
- Dermaplaning: This procedure uses a scalpel to remove the outermost layers of skin along with any fine vellus hairs. The result is a smoother complexion and easier makeup application.
For summer skincare over 50, SPF is just part of the game – not the whole game. Make sure you’re also hydrating, supplying plenty of antioxidants, and exfoliating throughout the summer months. Don’t hesitate to contact Balance MedSpa to schedule a consultation or to learn more about any of the treatments we’ve discussed. We’re here for you.