What to Know About Doing Skincare Peels in the Summer
As summer rolls around and you emerge from your winter hibernation, you may feel inspired to get a chemical peel. Chemical peels are great for freshening up the skin and addressing various skin concerns, like acne and dull, faded skin. The common myth is that you shouldn’t get chemical peels in the summer, but that is not necessarily true. After all, how would residents of warm places like California and Florida survive a chemical peel?
At Medical Tattoo & Cosmetic Centers of America, we believe in treating your skin right, so we’ve answered the frequently asked question: Can you get a chemical peel in the summer?
Can I Get a Chemical Peel in the Summer?
This answer may surprise you: Yes, you can get a chemical peel in the summer!
It is a common misconception that you can’t get chemical peels in the summer due to the heat and UV rays from the sun. A little bit of sun exposure after a chemical peel is perfectly fine, provided you take the required precautions, which we will explain later.
There are some benefits of getting a chemical peel in the summer. Higher humidity can be great for your skin’s healing process, acting as nature’s moisturizer that offsets dryness and irritation. Dry skin types can benefit from a little more oil, sweat, and moisture from summer heat.
One note: never get a chemical peel if your skin is already sunburned. Wait until your skin is fully healed, or consult with a professional before trying a chemical peel.
How Does a Chemical Peel Work?
To understand why you can get a chemical peel in the summer, you need to understand what it does to your skin. Chemical peels induce skin regeneration and exfoliation, known as skin cell turnover, which tends to get slower as we age. A chemical peel helps bring newer and fresher skin cells to the surface through exfoliating acids.
These acids stimulate new cell generation but avoid new melanin production. Melanin production, which leads to dark spots and hyperpigmentation, is caused by a lack of after-peel care. Proper after-peel care must include wearing SPF and staying out of the sun for prolonged periods of time.
How to Protect Your Skin After a Chemical Peel in the Summer
We know what you’re thinking–how can you avoid hyperpigmentation and dark spots after a chemical peel if you get one in the summer?
The key here is to avoid prolonged and intense sun exposure. Lifestyle exposure to the sun, which can include running errands, driving, going for a walk, etc., is perfectly fine, provided you wear SPF every single day.
There are two types of heat: environmental and internally generated heat. Environmental heat comes from the summer’s warming temperatures, while internally generated heat comes from exercise or saunas. The key to protecting your skin after a chemical peel involves limiting environmental heat exposure. How do you do that? Let’s take a look.
1. Wear SPF Every Day
This one is so important that we’re mentioning it again. SPF is a measure of how much solar energy (UV radiation) is required to produce a sunburn on your skin relative to the amount of solar energy required to produce sunburn on unprotected skin. The higher the SPF amount, the higher the sunburn protection you have. Wearing high-SPF sunscreen daily will help protect your skin from UV radiation and avoid dark spots and hyperpigmentation. You should keep this practice in your routine even without a chemical peel.
2. Wear Hats or Protective Clothing
Sun hats, baseball caps, or any other hat with a brim will help protect your face from excessive sun exposure. They help cast a shadow on your skin while in the sun and make for a great added layer of protection when worn consistently and with SPF.
Sunglasses can also help protect the area around your eyes from sun exposure, if your sunglasses have UV protection.
Additionally, if you are at the beach and not actively in the water, you can protect your skin with a layer of clothing, like a scarf, shirt, or beach cover-up. This is another way to help protect all of your skin from excessive sun exposure, regardless of a chemical peel.
3. Use Umbrellas
If planning an excursion requiring prolonged sun exposure, consider using an umbrella. Like hats and clothing, umbrellas help add a layer of protection against the sun. Whether you’re at the beach or strolling through a park, bring along an umbrella to protect your skin. You can even purchase umbrellas specifically made for sunlight that have UV-blockers.
4. Take Breaks in the Shade
If you spend a lot of time outdoors in the summer, particularly after a chemical peel, take frequent breaks in a shaded area. By cutting down the time you spend in direct sunlight, you can improve your chances of clear, unblemished skin.
Get a Sun-Safe Chemical Peel by Medical Tattoo & Cosmetic Centers of America
If you are dealing with acne, scarring, sun damage, fine lines, wrinkles, or hyperpigmentation, a chemical peel can be right for you. At Medical Tattoo & Cosmetic Centers of America, we offer VI Peels, which require minimal downtime and are safe for all skin types. VI peels can treat multiple skin concerns at once, making them a great option for our Minnesota customers.
If you are looking for a safe and effective way to treat your skin this summer, call us for a free consultation. We’d love to talk about your skin concerns with you and find the right solutions that will benefit your skin.
You can reach us at 612-770-0000 or send us a message online!