Craving a Holiday? How to Prepare Your Skin for the Sun, from Your Beauty Routine to the Treatments Recommended

How to prepare your skin for the sun, from beauty routine to treatments

Summer has finally arrived, and with it the desire to expose our skin to the sun, whether at the beach or in the mountains.But how should our beauty routine change during these summer months, and what are the in-office treatments we can undergo at our trusted dermatologist’s practice?

In general, during the summer it is best to use suitable dermocosmetics that hydrate and protect the skin. These include products containing vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants, which help defend the skin from UV-induced damage. The choice depends on one’s phototype, and lighter formulations such as gels and serums are usually preferable. It is also important to avoid products containing retinol, glycolic acid, or alpha-hydroxy acids, as they may increase the risk of pigmentation when exposed to sunlight.

Daily use of sunscreen is essential, even when staying in the city. There are no more excuses, as pharmaceutical companies now offer products that are well suited to our skin type and are often enriched with active ingredients that enhance the effects of the skincare prescribed by the dermatologist.There are sunscreens specifically formulated for acne-prone skin, skin with a tendency to hyperpigmentation, skin with couperose (sensitive skin with visible capillaries), and even for the most fragile skin prone to developing skin cancer, where photoprotection is absolutely essential.

It is always recommended to avoid sun exposure during the hottest hours of the day, from 12 to 4 PM. Always use sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 for the body and SPF 50 for the face. Remember to reapply every 3 to 4 hours, or after profuse sweating or swimming.

What should be applied after sun exposure?

Even when sun exposure occurs at appropriate times, the skin undergoes strong oxidative stress. After-sun care should include face and body products containing ingredients such as beta-glycyrrhetinic acid, ceramides, and allantoin to soothe, hydrate, and repair the skin.

Nutrition is also fundamental. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables such as carrots, tomatoes, kiwis, and spinach helps provide a significant amount of antioxidants. During the summer, it is advisable to increase the intake of these foods.Antioxidant-based supplements are also helpful in protecting the skin from stress caused by ultraviolet radiation. Ideally, they should be taken starting at least one month before sun exposure and continued for two months afterward. Your dermatologist will be able to recommend the most suitable supplement for your skin type.

It is also important to treat yourself with specific dermo-aesthetic treatments carried out by your trusted specialist.Chemical peels are definitely not recommended, as they are too aggressive and irritating for the skin, just like ablative and non-ablative fractional laser treatments. Instead, strongly hydrating and sun-preparatory treatments based on hyaluronic acid, such as biostimulation or biohydration, are preferable.

These consist of microinjections of hyaluronic acid, sometimes enriched with vitamins and amino acids, applied to the entire face, neck, décolleté, and hands. These treatments create a reserve of hyaluronic acid in the skin, making it softer, more hydrated, and more elastic, ready for sun exposure, without altering facial features. The key is to care for the skin and treat it with natural balance.

Scientific studies show that, in particular, after three sessions of dynamic redensification, the production of collagen and elastin increases by 98%. These are key components of healthy skin.

Also possible in the summer season, with the precaution of avoiding sun exposure for 24 to 48 hours after the treatment, are hyaluronic acid-based fillers for correcting facial wrinkles or adding volume to the lips, and botulinum toxin injections to relax facial features.

And what about skin treatments for the body?

With the arrival of warmer weather, the desire to get back in shape and feel confident in your body becomes stronger.Often, despite a proper diet and physical activity, it can be difficult to reach the desired results. In these cases, treatments performed in specialized aesthetic medicine clinics can be helpful.

After a thorough clinical and medical history assessment, a personalized treatment plan can be developed.If the most prominent issue is cellulite with the classic “orange peel” appearance, carboxytherapy is a method I often recommend to my patients. It also helps improve skin elasticity and circulation.If, during the preliminary consultation, localized fat deposits are also found, such as on the abdomen or hips (more common in men) or on the outer thighs (more common in women, the so-called saddlebags), cryolipolysis can be performed. Today’s state-of-the-art devices allow simultaneous treatment of up to four areas, specifically targeting the selected zone. This technique “freezes” fat cells, causing the treated area to gradually reduce in volume over the following weeks. The number of sessions depends on the severity of the condition, but in many cases, even a single session may be sufficient.

In short, there areno excuses for not being in shape for this summer.