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5 Tips for Supple and Healthy Skin This Summer
When it comes to skin care, summer often takes center stage. Hydrated, glowing, and radiant skin is the ultimate accessory for the season’s sun-filled days.
However, the truth is that achieving that perfect summer complexion starts during the colder months. Yes, winter is actually the best time to refresh your skin care routine and address any pesky concerns in preparation for summer.
Dr. Rick J. Smith, our trusted plastic surgeon, and Kathy Kuehne, LE, our experienced skin care specialist, believe that great skin is a year-round commitment.
Here are our top five strategies to make your skin look flawless when summer rolls around.
Start small and remember the basics
Every solid skin care routine begins with the essentials. These might sound simple, but they’re foundational to maintaining healthy, glowing skin.
1. Hydration
Keep your skin hydrated during the dry winter months to prevent dullness and maintain elasticity. Drink enough water (and then some) and invest in a moisturizing cream or serum.
2. Sun protection
You might not feel the sting of the sun in cooler weather, but UV rays are still active all year. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen to guard against damage and premature aging.
3. Gentle exfoliation
Regular exfoliation helps remove dull, dry skin cells lingering on the surface. Depending on your sensitivity level, use either a light chemical exfoliant or a gentle physical scrub.
4. Nutrition
You are what you eat, so your diet affects how your skin looks and feels. Increase your intake of fruits, vegetables, and omega-rich foods, including salmon or flaxseed, to nourish your skin from the inside out.
5. Adequate sleep
During sleep, your body goes into repair mode, allowing skin cells to regenerate and repair any damage. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to promote skin rejuvenation and reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness.
Create consistency around these habits.
Bonus tips for stubborn complexion concerns
If the basics aren’t enough to tackle specific concerns like acne scars, fine lines, or uneven skin tone, it may be time to explore expert solutions. This winter, consider our professional-grade treatments that target deeper skin issues so you’re summer-ready.
Microneedling or microneedling with PRP
This treatment uses multiple tiny needles to stimulate collagen production, improving your skin’s texture and reducing scars or wrinkles. Adding platelet-rich plasma (PRP) speeds healing and enhances collagen even more.
Chemical peels
Chemical peels remove layers of damaged skin to uncover a smoother, more youthful surface. Winter is the safest time to undergo this treatment because you’ll have more protection from prolonged sun exposure.
High-tech facials
Dr. Smith offers facials with LED light therapy or high-frequency technology that treat everything from fine lines to redness.
Professional treatments like these are ideal during the cooler months because your skin has more downtime to heal — and the results will peak just in time for summer.
Build a season-proof skin care routine
Seasonal changes can damage your skin if you don’t adjust your routine accordingly. Use winter to develop a routine that works year-round by choosing high-quality products with the following characteristics:
- Collagen-boosting ingredients
- Serums infused with vitamins C and E
- Barrier repair support
Investing in the proper products now sets the stage for smooth, luminous skin later.
Treat dry skin
Winter dryness leaves your skin feeling tight, flaky, and dull. However, addressing it during the winter will save your skin come summer. Combining a hydrating moisturizer and a humidifier can work wonders at home, and our in-office treatments elevate your hydration to the next level.
We offer options like the PCA Skin Smoothing Body Peel or the Diamond Glow treatment, which exfoliate and hydrate your skin tone all at once. Target trouble spots like your hands, back, or legs, ensuring every inch of your skin feels — and looks — healthy.
Book your appointment online today or call Rick J. Smith, MD, in East Lansing, Michigan, to start the year fresh — your skin will thank you when the sunshine returns.
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