Summer is the most important season to take care of your skin. The dangers from the sun are at their peak during the summer months, and it seems no matter how vigilant you are, the inevitable dark spots appear; what are they? How do you prevent, correct and protect your skin from them? Woodside Esthetician, Trina Blake, shares her recommendations for prevention, correction and protection – and lists her favorite products for each step of the process.
Dark spots, or “skin spots” as some refer to them, are a form of hyperpigmentation. Hyperpigmentation is the area on the skin which is darker than the surrounding area and can be caused by inflammation from acne, trauma, stress, etc. Later in life, over-exposure of the ultraviolet rays of the sun can show up as liver or age spots.
How do you take the best measure to prevent, correct and protect your skin from age spots?
How to Prevent Sun Damage That Leads to Age Spots
To prevent sun damage, use antioxidants such as vitamin C & E in your daily skin care regimen. Antioxidants neutralize damaging free radicals that cause premature aging from UV rays or infrared radiation, pollution and lifestyle factors. Topical antioxidants also improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and promote a naturally even skin tone.
How to Correct & Remove Age Spots
To correct hyperpigmentation, you need to use dark spot treatments that not only exfoliate and lighten the upper layers of the skin, but also target hyperpigmentation triggers before they can impact you skin’s melanin production. It is critical that the formulation contains ingredients that target multiple biological pathways accosted with the development of discoloration.
How to Protect Your Skin from Age Spots
Use a daily sunscreen is an essential step for any skin care regimen. It’s often best to use an esthetician or dermatologist recommended brand that contains broad spectrum sun protectant (UVA / UVB) from both burning and aging rays.
My Recommended Summer Skin Care Regimen: SkinCeuticals UV Defense
Prevent | Phloritien CF
This is a powerful daytime antioxidant for normal to oily skin which prevents signs of accelerated aging and improves discoloration, fine lines and an uneven skin tone.
Place three drops on back of hand, use fingers to dot on face then press evenly into face, neck and chest.
Correct | Discoloration Defense
This product features tried and tested depigmenting ingredients: Niacinimide, Kojic acid and most importantly tranexamic acid. Tranexamic acid has a curative effect towards melasma and ultraviolet induced pigmentation.
Place three drops on back of hand, use fingers to dot on skin then press evenly into face, neck and chest.
Protect | Physical Fusion SPF 50
This is a tinted, physical sunscreen that provides broad spectrum protection for dry, normal, combination, and sensitive skin types. The sunscreen glides on smooth and doesn’t leave behind an oily residue, is water resistant for up to 40 min and boosts radiance while increasing skin’s defenses from premature signs of aging from damaging rays.
Apply a nickel size dollop to face, neck and chest.
Finally, the 70/30 rule always applies for summer skin care: 70% of your desired results will come from your consistent home skin care regimen, and 30% of your results will come from your monthly skin treatments. To keep your hyperpigmentation under control, I recommend a SkinCeuticals Glycolic Resurfacing treatment with a pure collagen mask every 4-6 weeks plus following the prescribed at-home skin regimen listed above.
Additional skin care tips: Never skip the SPF (all year long). Reapply 2 or more times a day. Limit you sun exposure, wear hats, sunglasses and UV protective clothing.
Special offers from The Spa
Stop in The Spa or call 913.831.0043 to schedule an appointment today
Mini Peel | 20 Min | $40 (limited time only)
Buy a package of 5 peels, and receive a complimentary skin care regimen ($162.00 value)
When you purchase the hyperpigmentation skin care regimen, you’ll receive a free peel (offer only valid with rebooking next peel).
Licensed Esthetician
The Spa at Woodside
