Aesthetic treatments to avoid in summer

Now that meteorological summer has begun, and the weather is set to heat up, you may be considering adjusting your skincare routine for the season. While there are several steps you should take in the summer to protect your skin and keep your skin hydrated, there are also some aesthetic treatments to avoid in summer. So what are the treatments you should not choose this summer? And why?

So what are the aesthetic treatments to avoid in summer?

There are a number of aesthetic treatments that should be avoided in the summer months. These include:

• Medium and deeper chemical peels
• Microneedling
• Topical treatments with retinol

Why should medium and deeper chemical peels be avoided in the summer?

Chemical peels have been a popular aesthetic treatment option for decades, providing exfoliation and rejuvenation for the skin, improving skin appearance, health, and texture. However, while a superficial peel is safe in the summer months, medium and deeper chemical peels may need to be avoided. This is due to the level of penetration that the treatment offers, with medium and deeper peels working deeper within the skin, increasing UV risks in the summer.

UV damage is a serious skin concern that can cause a wide range of problems and issues, including skin cancer. Medium and deeper peels will leave your skin more vulnerable to UV radiation, and subsequent damage like sunburn and hyperpigmentation. If this cannot be effectively mitigated with diligent and regular use of SPF sun cream, it can be essential for the long term health of your skin to avoid medium and deeper peels in the summer months. Instead you should wait until autumn or winter.

Why should microneedling be avoided in the summer?

Microneedling is another popular treatment option for rejuvenating the skin and increasing the production of collagen and elastin. This is a treatment that uses fine needles to create micro-injuries in the skin, promoting the skin’s natural healing response. This can rejuvenate the skin and improve skin texture and appearance.

However, due to the nature of the treatment, this is another option that may need to be avoided in the summer. After a microneedling treatment the skin will be more sensitive than usual, and the skin’s barrier will be compromised due to the micro-punctures. This can leave the skin vulnerable to sun exposure and the UV damage this can bring, leading to inflammation and pigmentation issues. As such, microneedling in the height of summer should be avoided, especially during heat waves. Instead you should opt for this before the summer begins, or book for autumn or winter.

It’s also important to bear in mind that the negative impacts of microneedling can be mitigated by combining microneedling treatment with serums that hydrate the skin and protect from sun damage.

Avoiding topical treatments with retinol in summer

Finally, topical treatments with retinol should also be seriously considered in the summer months. While this ingredient is renowned for its anti-ageing abilities, it can also increase the skin’s sensitivity to the sun. As a result, using retinol products without adequate sun protection can lead to adverse effects such as sunburn, redness, and peeling. You can consider using retinol products less frequently during the summer months, or switching to a milder alternative for long term skin health. You can also combine your retinol use with broad spectrum suncream products to protect your skin, though this will need to be reapplied frequently.

For more information or for tailored advice for your skin this summer, get in touch with Preston’s leading aesthetic practitioners today, here at The Skin and Wellbeing Clinic.