The holidays are coming, and with them the traditional slew of parties, outings and family photographs — but the stress brought on by the holidays (and maybe those same family members) can wreak havoc on your skin.
Fortunately we have you covered with simple treatments that will keep you looking your best for the “most wonderful time of the year.” plus some of our favorites care of your skin at home.
Dermaplaning
Ever wonder why so many men have gorgeous skin? It’s because they shave their faces all the time, exfoliating and removing layers of dead skin cells. While some balk at the idea of shaving their own faces at home (even though she recommends it — just make sure to use a single blade or tinkle blade), but they’ll happily head to her office for a session of professional dermaplaning.
Dermaplaning removes surface dead skin cells from your face as well as the ‘peach fuzz’ hair. There’s no downtime and skin looks polished and fresh afterward.
And no, your hair won’t grow back thicker or more coarse.
You can combine dermaplaning with a facial or light chemical peel depending on your skin type, and you can have a new dermaplaning session every 3-4 weeks.
Isolaz
If you have cystic or inflammatory acne, this vaccum + light treatment is a great alternative to prescription drugs like Accutane. This treatment helps shrink sebaceous glands, extract impurities and kill bacteria. You can seek treatment once a month to get Isolaz for hormonal acne, because there’s no downtime, flaking or peeling.
Chemical peels
During a chemical peel, the practitioner will apply a solution to your skin that will cause your skin to shed off the old, dead cells a few days later. Since there is some flaking and peeling involved, these treatments require a little bit of downtime. But with advance planning and the right peel, you’ll be heading to your next holiday event with baby-fresh skin.
Most recommend a light peel about a week before your event for some light rejuvenation, but to get long-lasting benefits from a light peel, you’ll likely need several treatments. Deeper peels can help with stubborn hyper-pigmentation, acne and melasma, and they’re safe for darker skin types. You can do a deeper peel less often, but you’ll need more downtime, at least a month or two before your event.
Facials
It’s great to do a facial before an event, especially to manage blackheads and the pores around the nose. Try a facial once a month or every other month with extractions to keep blackheads under control.
People with dehydrated skin can benefit from a facial as well. After deep cleansing the skin with a mild enzyme to remove dead skin cells, finish with a mask that will calm and hydrate the skin.
Microdermabrasion
A vacuum of salt crystals blown across your skin will stimulate circulation and blast away dead skin cells, leaving you with a nice, healthy glow. Your skin will likely feel slightly chapped (like if you got a wind burn), but there’s no flaking or peeling. Practitioners also recommend combining microdermabrasion with a facial because extractions come out easier right after a microdermabrasion treatment.
Things You Can Do At Home
Here are three products for at home corrective and preventative skin care:
Retinoid or retinol
Retinoids are FDA-approved for treating fine lines and wrinkles, but they also fight acne and boost cell turnover. SkinMedica’s Retinol Complex is a “mild at-home chemical peel.
Vitamin C
If you aren’t doing a vitamin C treatment in the morning, you’re missing out on a potent antioxidant that protects from environmental damage, boosts skin’s protection against the sun and even brightens the look of skin.
One favorite product is iSCLINICAL’s ProHeal serum which contains vitamins A C and E.
Sunscreen
What can we tell you about sunscreen that your mom hasn’t been telling you for years? You need it every day. Yes, even on rainy days. Yes, even if your makeup has SPF in it. Do it now and you’ll thank your younger self in several years.
METHOD
Being consistent is the most important. Treatments can improve your skin so much, but you have to maintain your results with a skincare routine for more long-lasting benefits. It doesn’t have to be complicated.
Cleanse your face in the morning before applying a potent vitamin C serum and a sunscreen. At night, cleanse, use retinol/AHA and finish with a night moisturizer.
