I know that you wear your sun block, live a healthy lifestyle and want to look your best. I also know that you want to enjoy the summer, gardening, travel, exercising outdoors, the beach, and all activities which expose you to the sun.

 

It is unrealistic to expect you to end the summer looking pasty white. However there are steps you can take now so that you have a nice golden glow come Labor Day, rather than seeing peeling skin and new wrinkles!

 

Sun block is key! Sun block prevents sun burn which creates inflammation and collagen damage which can cause wrinkles and skin cancer. Be patient.  A tan takes about a week to ten days and you will tan even with sun block on. Just don’t allow yourself to get a sun burn-be patient and wait for natural color to develop.

Moisturizer is crucial to prevent dry skin and peeling. You must not only hydrate your skin morning and night but also drink plenty of water, especially during the summer.

 

Wrinkles, especially crow’s feet, become more pronounced when the skin is dry and with a tan. Botox reduces crow’s feet, frown lines and worry lines and it is especially important, in my opinion, to keep your Botox up to date during the summer. I believe that the additional skin stress of the summer sun can make those wrinkles worse if they are present during the summer. Lessening the wrinkles with Botox during this period may help prevent progression of the wrinkle.

 

Microdermabrasion removes dead skin cells and keeps healthy fresh skin cells on the surface. Microdermabrasion won’t remove your tan.  The pigmented summer cells are deeper. If you keep up with your microdermabrasions at least monthly, your skin should have a healthy glow after Labor Day.

 

These are simple, quick, no down time steps you can take during the summer to enter the fall looking your best.

 

Dr Seckel

 

Boston, Massachusetts,

Peabody, Massacusetts