After a long cold winter you may be finding your skin is feeling a little lacklustre. That’s why we have compiled the best tips for patients in the Oakville community to refresh their skin for spring.
First of all – why does our skin get so dull?
The cold weather tends to make our skin dry and dehydrated. This leads to an accumulation of dead skin cells which make pores, fine lines and wrinkles more visible. It is not uncommon for flakiness to occur as well. This layer of dead cells creates an unevenness to the skin texture. Light does not reflect off the surface uniformly which is why a dull look results.
Steps to brighten and refresh the skin.
Any time is a good time to seek the advice of a professional skin expert, but if you are generally happy with your skin, then planning a seasonal visit to a medical aesthetician to have your skin assessed is a good idea in order to maintain your skin at its best. After a thorough assessment you will be given suggestions on how to switch up your routine for the new season ahead. Some changes that are commonly suggested include:
• Putting away your Retinol treatment for the summer months and replacing it with an exfoliant that is suited to your skin. Retinol or vitamin A treatments are photosensitizing, so discontinuing their use over the summer will ensure your skin is less vulnerable to sun damage.
• Switching to a lighter moisturizer. The skin will begin to produce more oil secretions as the mercury ascends. This means your heavy moisturizer from the winter months will possibly overwhelm the skin in the warmer months ahead.
• Use a topical vitamin C serum to enhance your photoprotection, protect the skin from free radicals and stimulate collagen synthesis. In addition to these benefits, using a vitamin C serum can have an overall brightening effect for your skin.
Book in for a clinical peel.
Change of season is also an ideal time to receive a professional resurfacing treatment. Clinical peels are the perfect non-invasive method to reveal fresh and healthy skin. The clinical peel is a professional strength exfoliant which is comprised of hydroxy acids that break the bonds that hold the dead skin cells together. This leaves the skin ultra smooth and soft and activates cell renewal for a rejuvenated complexion.
If you haven’t been receiving regular clinical peels, Oakville Plastic Surgery and Advanced Skincare recommends an initial consultation prior to treatment. There are steps that can be done at home in advance to prepare the skin for a clinical peel. This is especially helpful if the skin is dry and dehydrated post-winter. By staging the exfoliation process and hydrating the skin, any possible downtime from the professional peel can be minimized and the results maximized. Scheduling regular monthly treatments will help you to sustain the skin resurfacing benefits which will help to reduce the appearance of pores, fine lines and wrinkles, while evening out the skin tone.
Maintaining your glow.
Despite all our knowledge about the health risks and aging that are attributed with sun exposure, the allure of a tan is still strong. The detriment to our skin in the long-term is hardly worth the short-term gratification of a bronzed skin tone. Fortunately, recent beauty trends are focused on healthy and vibrant skin. By adhering to the fundamentals of an effective skincare routine as set out by your medical aesthetician, maintaining a tan-free healthy, dewy glow for the spring and summer months will be a breeze.
To get started on refreshing your skin for spring, Oakville Plastic Surgery and Advanced Skincare welcomes you to book a complimentary consultation with our medical aesthetician. Call 905.901.9545 or email [email protected] to request an appointment.
