With those endless sunny days on the beach, feet in the sand, salty ocean breeze blowing, and hot nights out on the town. Or if you’re like us dermatologists, hot, humid days spent hiding in the shade with relentless perspiration. No matter how you’ve chosen to spend your summer, it’s a time when we have all been unavoidably exposed to way too much sun, hit our daily sweat quota, traveled to places with more beaches in different languages, and relaxed our exercise and skincare routines. This bittersweet summer sunshine eventually wreaks havoc on our skin, causing unwanted dark spots, uneven skin tone, rough texture, prominent pores, acne breakouts, and a dull complexion.
As we approach the next phase (also known as Fall in other states) when back-to-school events, networking meetings, and office parties resume, it’s time to return our skin to its beautiful pre-summer look. The foundation for glowing skin begins with a diligent at-home skin care regimen consisting of high-quality cosmeceuticals (medical-grade cosmetic products). With shelves full of mediocre products, people tend to splurge on ineffective or even detrimental ingredients before finally seeking expert advice and guidance to properly invest in an effective skincare routine. We know it can be overwhelming for both you and your wallet, and with every celebrity launching their skincare line, great marketing is taking precedence over great ingredients. While the details will differ extensively from person to person and many other factors should be considered (such as skin type, lifestyle, and individual concerns), the basic foundation of good skin care remains.
The most simplified routine involves cleansing and moisturizing twice daily, with the use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen every morning of an SPF 30 or higher. Anti-aging and pigment-reducing routines should gradually incorporate growth factors, skin brighteners, hydroxy acids, neck-firming creams, and evening retinoids. An in-office consultation will determine your skin type and allow you to work with your dermatologist to develop a customized daily skincare routine to address your specific concerns.
In combination with a daily at-home skin care regimen, there are also in-office cosmetic procedures that will expedite desired results and target some of the more stubborn skin concerns (hello dark spots).
Check out some of our favorite options to kickstart your post-summer skin plan:
Chemical Peels
A chemical peel involves a solution made up of a blend of ingredients (typically alpha and beta hydroxy acids) that are applied to the skin to achieve gentle chemical exfoliation of the upper layers of the epidermis. While many of these ingredients are available in very low concentrations in skin care products, chemical peel solutions incorporate them at much higher percentages. Through the shedding of the upper layers of the skin, chemical peels gradually reduce acne, hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and wrinkles and brighten dull skin tones. It’s common to experience some slight redness immediately following a peel, which can persist for 1-2 days. Depending on the peel selected, this is followed by either light flaking or a more intense shedding of the skin for the next few days, ultimately resulting in smoother, softer, and brighter skin by one week post-peel. While the skin will have a new glow after one peel, maximum results are seen after three or more treatments, spaced four weeks apart. To learn more about chemical peels, click here
Laser Genesis
Laser Genesis is a no-numbing, no-downtime, completely painless laser treatment designed to polish the skin and minimize the appearance of prominent pores. The Laser Genesis uses a 1064nm Nd: Yag laser that delivers micro pulses of gentle heat to stimulate collagen and shrink pores. It is comfortable, pain-free, and safe for all skin types. Following the procedure, the skin may appear slightly pink or flushed for a few hours. This “red carpet ready” treatment has virtually no downtime and is ideal for anyone with an upcoming event the same evening, or needing to return to work or school immediately following the procedure. To achieve optimal results, multiple treatments of Laser Genesis should be performed every 2-3 weeks.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy is a non-invasive, non-ablative treatment that uses high-intensity pulses of visible light to improve the appearance of brown spots and redness of the skin. IPL is a versatile treatment with the ability to rejuvenate the skin and target lentigines (brown sun spots), photodamage, telangiectasias (tiny blood vessels), and redness of rosacea. IPL is relatively painless, with each flash of light having the sensation of a quick rubberband snap. Numbing is not needed, and the treatment is made very comfortable using cold jelly, followed by cool packs. IPL cannot be performed on tanned skin or darker skin types, and sun must be avoided pre- and post-treatment to prevent unwanted side effects and pigmentation. Results are seen after one treatment as sun spots gradually fall off and are erased from the skin. Two to three treatments spaced six weeks apart are often needed to clear brown spots, redness, and blood vessels.
If you’re interested in any of the above procedures to kickstart your post-summer skin plan, call our office to schedule your consultation with Board Certified Dermatologist Dr. Cherise Levi in Fort Lauderdale, FL at 954-727-5700!
Transform Your Skin at Ayana Dermatology & Aesthetics!
Discover accessible, comforting, and expert care for your skin. We are dedicated to your skin’s health, radiance, and youthfulness.
Education:
• Summa cum laude graduate from the University of Florida with dual degrees in chemistry and nutritional science
• Top of the class at Nova Southeastern University's medical school
Dermatology Residency:
• Chief Resident in the dermatology residency program at St. Barnabas Hospital, Bronx, New York
Academic Positions:
• Faculty attending physician at Columbia University, New York Presbyterian Hospital
Certifications:
• Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology
• Fellow of the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology
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