The shift in weather as the seasons change can have a host of biological effects. You might feel more tired as daylight fades more quickly, or your weight might fluctuate as your body tries to store fat to keep you warmer. Your skin is among your most heavily influenced body parts: cold air draws the moisture out of your skin as water molecules evaporate more quickly.
The resulting dryness can trigger skin concerns like rough patches and redness, and exacerbate existing lines and wrinkles. It’s important to consider these changes and update your skincare routine as summer comes to a close.
Reduce Damage
Summer sunshine comes with its own set of skin concerns: time outdoors without meticulous sunscreen application can result in hyperpigmentation, or dark spots. You can correct dark spots with prescription products or skincare procedures that promote the production of new skin cells. The best way to freshen up your skin is through regular exfoliation.
Physical exfoliators like textured facial scrubs, pumice stones, and cleansing brushes can sometimes be damaging, especially to dry skin. In the fall, we might recommend a chemical exfoliant instead. These use acidic ingredients to gently dissolve dead skin cells rather than scouring them away. Look for skincare products that contain alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) like glycolic, lactic or citric acid; or beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs) like salicylic acid.
Princeton Plastic Surgeons also provides medical-grade procedures to help with correcting sun-damaged skin.
We offer a variety of chemical peels, which are specially-formulated solutions applied to the face, neck or hands. Chemical peels are designed to remove the damaged outer layer of your skin and replace it with the glowing new skin cells beneath.
We also offer microneedling, a procedure that uses a digital Dermapen device to penetrate the outer layer of skin. Your body registers the penetration as cell damage, encouraging production of new, undamaged cells and the shedding of older, duller skin. Both procedures are ideal for uneven skin tones and will leave your skin looking younger and rejuvenated.
Stay Hydrated
Moisturizing in the fall is a must. Dry air leads to dry skin as your skin cells lose water, shrink and tighten. This can even cause wrinkles to be more pronounced: as your skin cells lose volume, they also lose their ability to fill in cracks and fine lines.
An occlusive moisturizer can combat fall dryness. Occlusive ingredients create a barrier between your skin and the elements, trapping necessary moisture inside and keeping your skin cells hydrated and happy. Look for a daily moisturizer with ingredients like silicones or jojoba oil. For double duty, try a moisturizer with zinc oxide: it’s an occlusive ingredient that can also act as a sunscreen.
Sunscreen, Sunscreen, Sunscreen
Did you know that even the densest cloud cover only provides about 50% UV protection? Protecting your skin properly from damaging UV rays reduces signs of aging and prevents degradation of collagen and elastin. Don’t forget to make sun protection a staple in your skincare routine, even after the weather gets cloudy and your outdoor activity level has decreased.
Restock Your Medicine Cabinet
One final and often-overlooked step in creating a new routine is to purge your stockpile of products that are expired or off-season. Skincare products contain many sensitive ingredients that are prone to spoiling. Moisturizers, in particular, can be susceptible to bacterial or fungal growths, especially if stored incorrectly. Pay close attention to expiration dates — if you use an expired product, you run the risk of hurting your skin more than helping it.
Dr. Hamawy and the Princeton Plastic Surgeons team recommend a professionally prescribed skincare routine to achieve your best results. Using high-quality products with ingredients individualized to your skincare needs will ensure that your skin is happy and healthy in every season. Schedule a skincare consultation today by calling 609-910-1114.
