Dr. Ala’ Mutasim
Dermatologist and Aesthetic Doctor
Summer is the season of vacations, water sports, and tanning. Because of the hot weather and excessive humidity, your skin may suffer from dryness, acne breakouts, wide pores, hyperpigmentation, sunburns, and exacerbation of some skin diseases such as rosacea.
How do you plan the best skincare routine during summer?
Good hydration and sun protection are the cornerstones of skincare during this hot weather.
Steps:
1. Wash your face twice daily using gentle, foamy, and hydrating cleansers.
2. Use moisturizer lotions for face, lips, and body. It is important to use non comedogenic light lotions that contain hyaluronic acid and vitamin E.
3. Wear your broad spectrum sunscreen and reapply it every couple of hours. The sunscreen should cover UVB light (SPF 30-50) and UVA light ++++. There are a lot of good sunscreens that contains whitening components to reduce the chance of your skin getting pigmented.
4. Avoid heavy makeup, and choose non comedogenic, light products.
5. Gently exfoliate your skin twice weekly by using body scrubs to smooth skin bumps and clean up blocked pores.
6. Hydrate from inside-out. Drink at least eight cups of water daily in addition to fresh fruit juices.
7. Shower daily, but avoid long showers with too hot water. It will over dry your skin, causing inflammation and even eczema. Do not forget to apply a moisturizing cream that contains glycerin and paraffin immediately after shower.
8. Add vitamin C serum to your summer routine to prevent hyperpigmentation and to alleviate wrinkles.
9. Avoid midday sun exposure by staying in the shade or wearing protective clothes and hats.
10. If you suffer from sunburn, sun sensitivity, acne breakouts or melasma, visit your dermatologist right away!
What procedures can be done to give you glowing skin and a charming look during summer?
1. Dermapen, a device with microneedling technology that stimulates collagen, narrows wide pores, repairs scars, and provides channels for the added plasma and mesotherapy to penetrate the skin. What is interesting about it is that it has no downtime; you can go out the same day comfortably and it has no side effects such as scarring or pigmentation.
2. Mesotherapy injection targets acne, pigmentation and wrinkles, providing skin tightness, glow, and refreshment.
3. Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) contains a lot of growth factors that stimulate collagen and increase blood supply to the skin.
4. Skin boosters contain high concentrations of non-crosslinked hyaluronic acid which provide excellent hydration to skin, repair damaged skin by stimulating collagen, and alleviate wrinkles.
5. Hair boosters and PRP and mesotherapy strengthen and smoothen hair shafts and prevent hair fall
6. All cosmetic procedures are preferable during summer like botox for wrinkles, fillers for lips and face contouring, and threads for face and neck lifting because summer is full of weddings and important events.
7. Mesotherapy for lipolysis gets rid of resistant fatty areas.
8. Body fillers is perfect to contour bodies.
Tanning exposes you to damaging UV rays
Steps:
1. It is better to shower, shave, and exfoliate your skin a day or two before tanning.
2. Do not apply makeup, perfumes, or essential oils before tanning.
3. Use sunless tanning oils or lotions with broad-spectrum sun protection with SPF30 to protect from UVA & UVB rays.
4. Take breaks during tanning and spend some time in the shade.
5. The best time for fast tanning is between 10 AM and 4 PM but the risk of sunburn is very high especially if you have fair skin.
6. Drink a bottle of water during and immediately after tanning to prevent dehydration.
7. Do not shower for at least four hours after tanning in order to keep oils in your skin.
8. Apply moisturizing cream immediately before and after tanning.
“The Golden Rule of Tanning is that dry skin is tanning’s mortal enemy!” To make the new tan last longer, apply moisturizers daily.
But how to choose the best moisturizers?
Choose “after sun” lotions or “tan extender” lotions that contain shea butter, glycerin, organic oils, and vitamins. These have a cooling and moisturizing effect.
9. Apply anti-aging and skin firming lotions daily to prevent sun-induced damage and wrinkles.
10. Do not overdo it. Allow 3-4 days to pass between tanning sessions
11. Check your skin during tanning. If you notice redness you should go in shade and use after sun lotions.
12. Check your skin frequently if you tan constantly; if you have any new moles or you notice changes of persistent moles, visit your dermatologist right away!
Summer hair care routine:
1. Start the summer with a trim to get rid of split ends and to refresh your style.
2. Protect your hair from UV light by covering it with a scarf or a hat or by applying hair care products that contain UV filters.
3. Wash your hair less often and make sure to use moisturizing shampoo and conditioner.
4. Rinse your hair with fresh water after swimming in the pool or beach.
5. Make loose and comfortable hairstyles and avoid tight hairstyles that cause hair damage.
6. Minimize the use of hot hair dryers during summer.
7. Use wide-tooth combs that are gentle for untangling hair.
8. Use hair moisturizing creams or oils for hair shafts.
