It turns out that your clothes, makeup shade, and decor aren’t the only things you should switch up when the seasons change—your skin requires some special attention, too! The days are longer, and the UV rays are stronger, which means you need to protect your skin in order to ensure a healthy, radiant glow all summer long.
Read on to learn more about our summer skin care tips, plus the best med spa treatments at AESTHETICS 360° for the warmer weather.
What Happens to Your Skin in the Summer?
Although we love the extra sunshine the summer brings (especially living in Wisconsin), the change in weather can cause our skin to change. For starters, thanks to the heat and humidity, your skin may feel more sweaty, oily, or shiny than it did during the dry winter months, potentially leading to breakouts.
Your skin cells also begin to thicken with extra melanin to prevent UVA (which can cause signs of aging) and UVB (which can cause burning). When this happens, your skin darkens into that “summer tan” you know and love. This protective response is known as melanogenesis, and although you may like the way it looks, allowing this process to happen too frequently can lead to hyperpigmentation, sun spots, or, in severe cases, skin cancer.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, “UV exposure is the most preventable risk factor for skin cancer.” Additionally, most cases of melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, are directly attributed to UV exposure.
However, there are ways to protect your skin by adjusting your skincare regimen accordingly. Read on to learn a few expert tips from our specialists, so that you can keep your skin healthy and glowing all summer long.
6 Summer Skincare Tips
1. Cleanse twice daily
As we mentioned earlier, the extra heat and humidity mean that it’s easier for harmful dirt and oils to accumulate on your skin. In order to give your skin a clean, matte-like appearance, you’ll want to wash your face morning and night—as opposed to just at night (which most people do in the winter months to avoid drying their skin out).
Some people like the double-cleansing method in the summer, which involves using an oil-based face wash to dissolve makeup and sunscreen, followed by a water-based face wash to thoroughly cleanse the skin of any remaining impurities. The double-cleansing method should be performed at night, while a water-based face wash should be used solely in the morning.
2. Exfoliate Weekly
Regular exfoliation is key to healthy-looking skin! Find a gentle facial scrub to slough away dead skin cells, prevent clogged pores, and remove excess oil, dirt, and debris. (We love the Alastin Skincare ReSURFACE Skin Polish.) Use chemical exfoliants on the face, like products with AHAs (glycolic or lactic acid), BHAs salicylic acid), or retinol to keep bright, fresh skin shining at the surface.
However, be careful, as it is possible to overexfoliate! Doing so can irritate your skin, strip it of helpful natural oils, and disrupt the skin’s natural barrier, which can lead to inflammation and dryness. The key to smooth and radiant skin is only exfoliating one to three times a week, according to your skin type.
3. Lighten up your regimen
When you’re packing away your cashmere sweaters and winter blankets, put away your rich, heavy creams and moisturizers, too! Now that you don’t need to worry about cold temperatures and dryness, summer skincare is all about lightweight and oil-free gels, serums, and lotions.
Try using products that are non-comedogenic, which means they’re specially formulated not to clog pores and reduce the risk of acne. But no matter how humid the day is, don’t skip applying moisturizer completely—you need hydration at all times of year to support your skin barrier and prevent transepidermal water loss.
4. Add a Vitamin C boost
Extra UV radiation exposure in the summertime leads to more damaging ‘free radicals’ on the skin; fight this damage with the protective antioxidants found in vitamin C serums and moisturizers! Outside of protecting your skin from environmental stressors, vitamin C will also help brighten and smooth your complexion.
Some of our favorite medical-grade vitamin C serums include:
5. Always Apply SPF
If there’s only one thing you take away from this list, it should be this: always apply SPF! In the summer, you should be wearing a minimum of SPF 30 daily on your face, neck, decolletage, and any other areas regularly exposed to the sun (and don’t be afraid to layer SPF products, too).
Sunscreen works by using a combination of two main types of active ingredients: organic and inorganic. Inorganic molecules, like titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, form a physical barrier on the skin, reflecting or scattering UV waves trying to penetrate the skin. Organic components, like oxybenzone, absorb the UV radiation. Together, they form a protective layer that shields your skin from harm.
6. Stay in the Shade
Whenever you can, stay in the shade! The sun may feel nice, but those UV rays are incredibly harmful to your skin. Make an effort to wear wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, or lightweight long-sleeved shirts. If you’re worried about getting a tan, opt for an out-of-the-bottle solution.
Gone are the days of looking unnaturally orange or blotchy after applying a self-tanning cream or gel. The world of self-tanners has evolved! These days, most products offer a gradual or buildable tan to allow you more control over how dark you look.
One of our favorite self-tanning products is St. Tropez Self Tan Express Bronzing Mousse. It’s natural-looking, streak-free, and long-lasting!
Best Summer Med Spa Treatments
There are also aesthetic treatments you can book at our Milwaukee office to ensure you are practicing the best summer skin care! The skin specialists at AESTHETICS 360° are here to keep you looking and feeling your best all year long, no matter your skin type or concerns.
Here are our suggestions for med spa treatments to book for the best summer skin care of your life!
Dermaplaning
Dermaplaning is an amazing start-of-summer skin resurfacing treatment. If you have dry, uneven, rough, or sensitive skin, dermaplaning offers gentle exfoliation to reveal smooth, radiant skin.
We gently glide a sterile surgical blade over the skin to remove dead skin and vellus hairs (AKA “peach fuzz”), giving you skin that’s soft to the touch and ready for summer (and SPF 30+, of course). Makeup glides on beautifully!
The SaltFacial™
The SaltFacial Skin Renewal Therapy Treatment is the ultimate summer skin pick-me-up. This treatment is a patient favorite and the most requested skin treatment at our office. The SaltFacial utilizes a three-step process to restore, replenish, and rejuvenate all skin types, delivering amazing results after just one treatment, without any downtime or sun sensitivity.
Specialty Facials
If you have oily skin, we’re willing to bet you dread summertime. The heat and humidity kick the skin’s production of sebum into overdrive. Then, after you add sweat and makeup to the mix, you’ve got the perfect recipe for an acne breakout.
Our speciality facials, especially our Signature 360° facial, are specially formulated and designed to treat your unique skin concerns. Whether you experience oily skin, acne, or texture in the summertime, we can create a facial that works for you!
Come to AESTHETICS 360° for the Best Summer Med Spa Treatments in Milwaukee!
AESTHETICS 360° is proud to be the premier destination med spa in Milwaukee. When you come to our office for your summer skin care recommendations and treatments, you can rest assured knowing everything from your consultation to the procedure is performed by a highly trained specialist. After all, we want you to look and feel confident in your skin this summer!
Schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced aesthetic nurse specialists or clinical aestheticians, or fill out our virtual assessment today. It’s time to experience the 360-degree difference!
