Happy Wednesday!
We’ve had the longest winter here in Buffalo, NY but I’m happy to say.. “It finally feels like Spring!” Actually… it’s starting to feel like early Summer, but I have no complaints!!
When I was young I would always grab a bottle of baby oil and head out to the front lawn at my parents house to lay out and get a suntan. My Mom used it, so I thought why not! I worked at an amusement park for 5 years in my early 20’s running water rides, so you can imagine the tan I had from being in and around the water all day.
Now that I’m in my early 40’s (yikes), I take extra precautions to make sure I’m using sunscreen and LOTS of it!
Summer is all about bronzy, youthful skin. With the weather heating up, shorts and swimsuits are the daily uniform. Even your makeup routine gets stripped down (heavy makeup + sweat = disaster), so having beautiful wrinkle-free, blemish-free skin all over your whole body is a must. Here are a few tips for prepping your skin for everyone’s favorite season.
Dull Skin: 2 to 3 times a week, use a gentle scrub to exfoliate your body. Pat dry with a towel; then apply moisturizing lotion. The lotion will penetrate the skin more deeply after you’ve gotten rid of the dead skin on the surface.
Cellulite: Unfortunately, no cream is going to magically erase cellulite. However, regularly applying firming and retexturizing creams can help smooth out your problem areas. Start using these products daily, and you will begin seeing results in about 3 weeks. Another way to improve the appearance of cellulite is getting a tan. UV rays can be harmful to your skin, so stick to spray tanning or self-tanners to get that sun-kissed glow. If you can’t tone it, tan it!
Chicken Skin: Don’t suffer through wearing long sleeves in this weather because of those pesky arm bumps. Try washing with a milky soap-free cleanser that will condition your skin. Then use an exfoliating body lotion that contains an alpha-hydroxy acid to help de-clog pores.
Wrinkles: During the summer, less is more. Fresh-faced, light-makeup looks are a must in the heat. Because of this, naturally smooth wrinkle-free skin is important. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Andrew Giacobbe uses nonsurgical treatments like BOTOX® at his Buffalo, NY, plastic surgery center to help reveal rejuvenated, youthful-looking skin. Schedule a consultation to discuss your skin-restoring options.
Cracked Heels: Massage thick lotion or Aquaphor into your feet right before you go to bed and throw on a pair of cotton socks. This will help soften this dry skin while you sleep. When you wake up the next morning, use a pumice stone to gently remove the dead skin. Repeat this process each night until your feet are soft and smooth.
Oily Skin: Higher temperatures can cause your skin to be greasier than normal. Make sure to wash your face morning and night with a gentle cleanser. Additionally, consider trying a water-based moisturizer with a matte finish to provide long-lasting hydration without making your skin oily.
Sun Spots: Home remedies are the cheapest way to effectively get rid of sun spots. Squeeze fresh lemon onto a cotton swap, apply to the sun spot for 20 to 30 minutes, rinse off with cool water, and moisturize. Another great DIY sun spot removal treatment is applying fresh aloe vera gel to the discoloration and leaving it on for 30 minutes. Do this daily for best results. Remember: the best treatment is prevention. Make sure to wear at least SPF 15 every day, especially on your face. Reapply every 2 hours.
Bacne: The combination of wearing a sports bra and tight-fitting tops can cause you to break out on your back. These unsightly bumps are not ideal for swimsuit season. Make sure to shower immediately after your workouts, or, if you can’t shower right away, at least take off your sports bra. Also, try to wear mostly cotton t-shirts and blouses so your skin can breathe. Lastly, when you shower, use acne-fighting body wash. If your acne is severe, visit your dermatologist who may be able to prescribe you a topical or oral antibiotic treatment.
Dark Knees: The skin on your knees and elbows is more prone to dryness because it is constantly being stretched and constricted. After you get out of the shower, massage coconut oil onto the skin while your skin is still slightly wet. Do this everyday to not only reduce dry skin, but also prevent further irritation.
Taking care of your skin now will not only get you ready for summer, but help you maintain beautiful skin in the future.
What are some of your tips & tricks for getting summer ready?? I’m always up for trying new things. Drop me a line in the comments section below. I would love to hear from you!
xoxo Chanda
**In collaboration with WNY Plastic Surgery
