by Jenn Peterson
Warmer weather may be coming to an end, but the effects of a summer well-spent at the shore and enjoying ourselves with a few too many cocktails and late nights linger on. Try as I might, I never seem to get through a summer without at least a mild sunburn, and without gaining a few pounds. By the time I pull out my sweaters, I always find myself thinking it’s time to get back into a regimented skin care routine and diet.
I love that we have so many non-invasive options available to help nudge my efforts along, and really amplify what I can do on my own. That way I know by the time everyone’s gathering for the holidays and pulling out their cellphones for the photo ops, I’ll be photo-ready, and able to really enjoy the season without worrying over covering up my sunspots or finding a Spanx option that works with each of my outfits.
Laser-Perfect Complexion
I don’t know about you, but when I think of how I want my skin to look, I always think back to my younger years when I didn’t even need to wear foundation. Laser skin resurfacing is a great way to recapture youthful skin – and help get you back to a place of skin confidence. Not only can laser skin resurfacing erase sun damage, but it can clear up redness, acne scars, and even help relax and smooth out fine lines and wrinkles. The best thing is newer, more gentle lasers mean I don’t have to worry over when I can afford to take time off to get this treatment, because there isn’t any after-effect that I can’t easily cover with a bit of foundation.*
Did you know you’re more likely to create visible scars during the summer months? Sun exposure is one of the biggest factors in the healing of scars. So when you have an awful pimple pop up in the summer months, it is more likely to leave a scar. Sun exposure also exacerbates skin conditions, like melasma, rosacea, and hyperpigmentation. So if you’re prone to redness, bad scarring, or other color changes, the summer months can wreak havoc on your complexion (now tell me how is it that this is the exact time of year beauty editors are promoting a no-makeup look?!).
I’m also a big proponent of facials. I have the worst blackheads, but I know regular facials clean out my pores, without damaging my skin. When looking for an aesthetician, I find the best trained skincare experts tend to work for doctors. Having a physician to bounce new ideas off of keeps an aesthetician well-versed in scientific findings in the cosmetics industry.
As with anything, the things you do daily have a huge impact on your skin. At-home skincare gets a lot of coverage in beauty magazines, but a lot of that is sales pitch. When it comes to skincare, most physicians and experts in this field hold up 4 key products as the basis of a good skin care routine – cleansers, moisturizers, sunscreen, and vitamins. In the fall, as temperatures drop, it’s important to focus on products that hydrate and protect. Building a barrier of hydration will help protect your skin from the elements through the season.
Those last 5 pounds
I love summertime gatherings. To me, there’s nothing better than a weekend at the shore with friends, good music, and a nice cocktail. But for my waistline, these things tend to be a problem. I always spend the first half of the year making sure I’ve lost those last few pounds to be swimsuit-ready, but by the summer’s end, I’ve usually put a few pounds back on. I’m okay with that, because it means I’ve spent my summer enjoying the season.
However, come fall, I try to get back on track with my diet and get back to the gym. This fall I’m trying something new, a laser technology that will help me get to my goals faster than I could with just diet and exercise alone, SculpSure. I like that this treatment doesn’t require me to take time off from my schedule – I don’t even have to skip a workout the night of the treatment. I just do a single 25 minute treatment for each of my problem areas, and I’m ready to head right back to work, or straight to the gym. In a few weeks, I’ll notice a change, and in 8 -12 weeks, I should see up to 24% of the fat in that area gone. In combination with my diet and exercise, which should amount to a huge change by the time we’re taking Christmas photos. Even more exciting: SculpSure’s effects are far from temporary – so the changes I see in a few months will stay with me for as long as I keep the weight off.
Convenience is Key!
The holiday season is easily my busiest time of the year, so saving time is always top of my mind this time of year. At Reflections, I know I can always find an appointment time that fits my schedule, and I can accomplish all of my beauty needs in one place – I don’t have to go to a separate store to buy my skincare, or find a facialist at another spa.
I love new ideas
What are your best tips for getting ready for the holiday season? Please share below. I’m always looking for new ideas.
*Individual results may vary. The best way to learn about which cosmetic treatments will best help you achieve your goals is to schedule a consult with one of our dedicated cosmetic physicians, who will walk you through your best treatment options and what results you can expect from those treatments.
Sources of clinical information and FDA-Clearance for the procedures mentioned in this post:
1.FDA 501K clearance for SculpSure
