6 Treatments to Get Now that Summer is Over
Cooler temperatures, gorgeous foliage, and pumpkin spice…what’s not to love about Fall? And, because you likely have more opportunities to stay home and recover, Fall is also the perfect time of year to spruce up your appearance in preparation for the holidays and spring vacations. If you’re considering a makeover this season, take a look at these 6 post-summer treatments.
1. Kybella
What it is: Kybella™ is an FDA-approved injectable treatment that eliminates fat in the double-chin (submental) area. Kybella is largely composed of deoxycholic acid, a naturally occurring molecule that helps your body break down fat, which is then naturally absorbed and excreted by your body’s lymphatic system. Besides its impressive results, the main reason we love Kybella so much is that once fat cells are destroyed, they are incapable of storing fat in the future.
Why it’s great for Fall: Kybella is a great post-summer treatment because it doesn’t agitate the skin or impact surrounding tissues when administered by a skilled injector. Though Kybella has few unwanted side effects, such as redness, swelling, bruising, and tenderness for the first few days after your treatment, this initial swelling is easier to hide in the cooler months.
Another benefit of Kybella is that since full results are typically achieved after about 8 to 12 weeks, you can be looking great in time for holiday parties with friends and family!
If you’re thinking about Kybella injections, you’ve come to the right place. Board certified Hagerstown plastic surgeon Dr. Garazo performs all Kybella injections himself, and has successfully completed Kybella’s physician training program.
2. Microneedling
What it is: Microneedling is a non-surgical treatment that creates “micro-wounds” in the skin to induce your body’s natural collagen production, creating a more balanced skin tone and texture. Microneedling is ideal for those who want to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and lines, large pores, stretch marks, and other skin blemishes quickly and with little downtime.
Why it’s great for Fall: Because you should avoid exposure to direct sunlight and protect your skin from outdoor elements for the first few days following your microneedling treatment, the cooler months are optimal for getting microneedling.
Treatments like microneedling are perfect for the Fall because it’s easier to avoid direct sun exposure and protect your skin from the elements.
Also, microneedling can reverse some of the wrinkles and redness that are often more visible as temperatures begin to drop and skin becomes dull and dry. At Plastic Surgery Services, our licensed aesthetician performs microneedling using the Eclipse MicroPen™ for fast, comfortable treatments and consistent results.
3. Facial
What it is: A facial is a quick and easy way to soothe and hydrate irritated skin. After a facial, your skin should look and feel softer, smoother, and more rejuvenated. We offer our Frederick patients the DiamondGlow facial because it can be customized to treat a range of skin concerns, including acne, hyperpigmentation, lines and wrinkles, and sun damage.
Why it’s great for Fall: The sun, sweat, and heat that accompany the dog days of summer aren’t exactly nourishing for our skin, which is why we recommend our patients get a facial in September or October to reverse some of this damage. The antioxidants and nourishing ingredients used in DiamondGlow facials soothe irritated, sun-damaged skin and unclog pores, while the cooler temperatures and mild sun exposure create the ideal conditions for recovering.
Here are a few tips for helping ensure you get great facial results:
- Make sure you get your facial at least one week before an event to allow any residual blotchiness to fade away.
- Get a DiamondGlow regularly to reap the maximum benefits. (Facials are like exercises—doing them routinely will only make you look better in the long run.)
4. Retinoids
What it is: Retinoids are a vitamin A-derived compound found in a number of skincare products. They are beloved by many for their ability to treat persistent acne and acne scarring, improve skin texture, and fade dark spots and freckles. Retinoids work on two levels: 1) they cause skin cells to turn over faster, and 2) they increase the amount of new collagen formed in the skin.
Why they’re great for Fall: There are a few reasons retinoids are perfect for Fall: First, they can protect your skin from some of the effects of harsh sun exposure by preventing the production of collagenase, an enzyme responsible for breaking down collagen. This means that even if you spent a little too much time in the sunshine, applying a retinoid cream may be able to prevent some skin damage from occurring.
Retinoids can protect your skin by preventing the production of collagenase, an enzyme responsible for breaking down collagen.
Second, retinoid-treated skin is hyper-sensitive to UV rays, causing it to burn more easily. Since the sun is less intense during the cooler months, Fall is a great time to start a retinoid skincare regimen.
Finally, sunlight makes products containing retinoids less effective, so applying them in cooler months can help ensure you get more value out of your skincare products.
Here are a few tips for applying retinoids:
- Apply retinoid products before bed and apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen every morning.
- Limit your use of products containing glycolic acids and vitamin C if you’re using retinoids, as they can irritate the skin.
- If you’re looking for a retinoid-based cream, browse our physician-recommended skincare products.
5. Chemical peel
What it is: A chemical peel removes your face’s damaged outer layers of skin and replaces them with healthy new skin cells. Peels can be light, medium, or deep, depending on their concentration and the type of acid used. We recommend light peels for patients who want to brighten their skin and improve their skin tone; medium peels for those who want to treat fine lines, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation; and deeper peels for correcting wrinkles, brown spots, precancerous growths, and other advanced signs of aging.
Why it’s great for Fall: Chemical peels can help undo some of the damage your skin incurs during the summer months, like that caused by sweating. While sweating is good for your skin and body, sweat can cause pores to clog if left to dry (and let’s face it, we don’t always have the luxury of a shower in the middle of a hot summer day). Thankfully, a chemical peel is a great way to cleanse pores from deep within, ridding them of dirt and other impurities that can lead to breakouts.
In the cosmetic world, Fall is fondly referred to as “peel season” because it provides the ideal conditions for recovering from a chemical peel. The cooler temperatures and shorter days offer a good excuse to stay indoors and avoid the sun for a few days or weeks.
It’s fairly common to experience some redness and peeling (hence the name!) for the first week or so after your peel. She recommends avoiding direct sunlight for the first few days after a lighter peel, and a week or two after a deeper peel. She also suggests using a broad-spectrum, high SPF sunscreen every day for at least 3 weeks.
6. Liposuction
What it is: Liposuction is surgery that eliminates stubborn and unwanted fat pockets when diet and exercise alone aren’t providing the results you want. It uses a small, hollow tube (called a cannula) attached to a suctioning device to remove fat from below the skin. For women, liposuction typically removes fat from the hips, thighs, and stomach to enhance her natural contours and sculpt an “hourglass” figure.
Why it’s great for Fall: We often recommend our patients schedule their liposuction during the Fall to recover in privacy. Most people experience swelling and bruising during their first few months after surgery, and are instructed to wear a compression garment during this time to help smooth and shape their treatment areas. The cooler temperatures allow compression garments to be hidden beneath layers of clothing. They can also provide some added warmth and comfort on chilly days.
Plus, since it can take up to 3 or more months to see full liposuction results, having your procedure done in the Fall will help ensure you’ll be ready for spring break!
Enhance your look this Fall with Hagerstown Plastic Surgeon Dr. Garazo
With summer winding down, it’s time to book your dream treatment! Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Henry Garazo and his team of aesthetic experts can help you look your best in time for the upcoming holidays. Dr. Garazo performs all cosmetic injectables himself, and has been named one of “America’s Top Plastic Surgeons” for 11 consecutive years. If you’re in the Hagerstown/Frederick area, schedule a consultation with us online or call (301) 791-1800 today.
Leave a Comment