Texas summers can be brutally hot, and many of our go-to activities for beating the heat end up exposing our skin to direct sunlight—a primary factor in premature aging! Whether you’re kayaking Buffalo Bayou or hanging out poolside with little ones, taking good care of your skin should be top of mind. Below, our Houston aesthetician Iman is explaining which skin treatments are best for this time of year and how to perfect your summer skincare regimen.
What skincare products or treatments should you use for healthy, happy skin in the sunnier months?
My #1 tip for healthy, happier skin during the summer months is sun protection! It is such a simple, but often neglected, step that completely changes the skincare game. Here is the bottom line: In order for the rest of your skincare products to be successful, you must use an SPF 30 or higher.
I recommend using your SPF daily on the face and body, as well as reapplying every two hours if you are in direct sunlight. Use a broad spectrum sunscreen that protects from UVA (aging) and UVB (burning) rays. My personal favorite is the ZO broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 50. It protects from UVA, UVB, and even IR-A rays, which are the blue light that is emitted from our electronic devices. I also recommend wearing hats, sitting in the shade as much as possible, and drinking lots and lots of water!
In order for the rest of your skincare products to be successful, you must use an SPF 30 or higher.
What are the best skin treatments to prepare for summer?
My top picks for spring and summer are HydraFacial, microneedling, superficial chemical peels, and dermaplaning—each for a different reason:
1. HydraFacials
HydraFacials are the perfect summer treatment since they deeply cleanse, exfoliate, protect, and hydrate the skin. They’re gentle enough to work for most skin types, and the best part of this treatment is that you leave with a fabulous glow!
The HydraFacial works by suctioning out all the impurities from the skin, exfoliating with a superficial chemical peel, hydrating with low molecular weight hyaluronic acid, and (finally) fortifying the skin with antioxidants. Antioxidants support your sun protection measures by protecting your skin from free radicals and environmental damage, including from the sun.
2. Microneedling
Microneedling works by creating micro-injuries to the skin, awakening your body’s natural healing process and therefore stimulating collagen production. This treatment is amazing for each and every skin type (unless you have active acne) and can address fine lines, unwanted pigmentation, large pores, and textural irregularities from acne scars.
3. Superficial chemical peels
Another summer time treatment I recommend is superficial chemical peels. They offer a gentle chemical exfoliation that breaks up sebum, clears your pores, fights future breakouts, and brightens the skin. Unlike deep chemical peels, superficial peels do not require extensive downtime avoiding the sun, so they are ideal for summer—you’ll just need to consistently apply sunscreen and use common sense when it comes to sun exposure.
4. Dermaplaning
Dermaplaning is awesome because it physically exfoliates the skin, removing dead skin cells and vellus hair, thus enabling products to more effectively penetrate the skin. Plus, it creates a smooth surface which allows makeup to apply seamlessly! As with any exfoliating treatment, faithfully wearing SPF will be key to protecting your glow.
Which treatments should we avoid in the summer months?
During the summer months I would avoid harsh exfoliation and aggressive peels (think: apricot scrubs, intense chemical peels, laser resurfacing). Highly concentrated products may also cause the skin to be more sensitive to the sun. If the skin is not protected properly, these can result in hyperpigmentation and/or irritation.
During the summer months I would avoid harsh exfoliation and aggressive peels.
What are your favorite warm-weather skin care products?
Skin is affected by many different factors, including climate. With the warmer climate, our skin reacts by creating more sebum and sweat—often resulting in breakouts. During this season proper cleansing, exfoliating, and protecting is crucial. I suggest using a gentle cleanser and toner daily, exfoliating 3-4 times a week, using an antioxidant serum, hydrating the skin with a lightweight product, and slathering the skin in SPF as much as possible!
A baseline summer skincare regimen for normal skin types could include:
- ZO Skin Health Gentle Cleanser
- Calming Toner
- Exfoliating Polish (3-4 times a week)
- Daily Power Defense antioxidant serum
- Renewal Creme
- Daily Sheer Broad Spectrum SPF 50 (Skin Cancer Foundation-approved!)
All of these products are available on our ZO Skin Health online shop, or at our office in Post Oak, Houston. ZO was created by dermatologist Dr. Zein Obagi, and it is my go-to skincare brand for maintaining or restoring the skin’s health. Like SkinMedica, which I also love, ZO is a physician-only skincare brand. This means that products with this level of active ingredients aren’t available OTC at Walgreens or even Sephora—and these higher concentrations mean you will see actual results with this skincare.
As an aesthetician, I offer each of my clients a customized regimen according to your skin type and any concerns you want to address. During your personal skincare appointment, we will go over the order in which to apply products and how to use them for optimal results.
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Schedule your Houston aesthetician consultation at Basu Aesthetics + Plastic Surgery in Post Oak
The team at Basu Aesthetics + Plastic Surgery is dedicated to using cutting-edge technology and giving you the best advice to renew and protect your skin year-round. Our licensed aesthetician, Iman, offers a range of treatments to suit the season, and always caters treatments to your skin type and goals! Call (713) 799-2278 or contact our Post Oak Houston office online to schedule your visit today.
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