AESTHETICIAN APPROVED: Summer In-Office Treatments

Who says you need to put a pause on ALL of your skin treatments during the summer? From tackling common summer skin concerns to getting your smoothest skin from head to toe, these expert-recommended summer-safe procedures ensure your skin stays smooth, glowing, and healthy throughout the sunny season. We chatted with our one of favorite Licensed Medical Aesthetician's, Olivia Berry of Meridian Plastic Surgery, and got her recommended in office treatments for body, face and sun recovery.

Is Summer a good time for laser hair removal? What is your recommended pre-treatment and post-treatment protocol to ensure great results?

"It depends on the treatment area! Sun-exposed areas carry a much greater risk. Depending on your skin type, it’s best to wait until the fall or winter for areas such as the lip, chin, legs, or arms. For areas that are usually covered such as the bikini line, we’ll have a consult: If you plan on lounging by the pool or on a boat with a margarita all summer, we’ll save the laser until fall. But if you always wear shorts or capris, I can still treat you."

"Pre-treatment, the area should be clean and shaved with no recent sun exposure, spray tan, or developed tan. Post-treatment, I will immediately apply RescueMD to the treated area. Many of our patients opt to use RescueMD at home on post-laser skin. Between treatments, no waxing or tweezing is allowed."

What are some common skin concerns that people face during the summer and are there any in-office treatments suitable for summer that safely address these issues? 

"During summer, the sun and heat take a serious toll on the skin, especially in a place like Austin, Texas. Some concerns that arise during this time include increased oiliness, acne, darkening of existing hyperpigmentation, irritation, and acute sun damage from too much UV exposure. In-office treatments naturally shift over the year to account for these concerns. Summer-safe face and body treatments aim to replenish, support, and maintain skin health while minimizing the impact of this environmental damage."

Do you have any favorite ‘summer-proof’ treatments that are safe for summer?

"Currently, I offer a bespoke signature facial called The Meridian that is 2 hours of hands-on treatment time: it includes oil cleansing, lymphatic drainage massage, LED phototherapy, cryotherapy, and more. That one is transcendentally relaxing and is perfect to destress the mind, body, and skin!"

"Other summer-proof treatments, including DiamondGlow, the Fire & Ice Facial, the Foaming Enzyme Facial, and SkinPen Microneedling–use gentle yet effective methods to rejuvenate the skin."

Is it ever a good idea to do a facial laser treatment in the summer? 

"It depends on goals, skin type, area, and the type of laser treatment performed. If it’s just a tiny zap of a broken blood vessel by the side of the nose, it shouldn’t pose a serious risk. However, I’m hesitant to do anything aggressive over a larger area: the post-laser swelling, erythema, and peeling makes the skin very vulnerable to the summer sun and heat. I recommend scheduling more intensive treatments in the fall.

It’s also important to remember that laser treatments have to be spaced apart, which can be anywhere from 4-8 weeks. Summer will go more quickly than you think! I like to frame it as only having to skip a few treatments."

What pre-treatment precautions should individuals take before undergoing any facial or body treatments in the summer?

"Avoid retinol use 5-7 days before in-office exfoliation or waxing. Use gentle products leading up to your treatment. If you get a sunburn, I will have you wait until it heals before treating that area. If you have rosacea, monitor for flares: the sun and heat are big triggers. Wear broad-spectrum sunscreen daily. Drink plenty of water. Plan your treatments wisely around your summer fun– it probably isn’t the best idea to schedule a dermaplane and enzyme facial the day before you go rafting on a camping trip."

How important is post-treatment care during the summer, and what steps should clients follow to ensure optimal results and skin protection?

"Post-treatment care is critical during summer! After your treatment in-office, I’ll provide you with written post-procedure instructions specific to your treatment. These generally include avoiding direct sun exposure, using cool water on the treated area, monitoring for any potential complications, and avoiding heat or exfoliation. Targeted skincare, such as RescueMD DNA Repair Complex, make a big difference in the quality and duration of healing."

If you don’t practice sun safety after getting an in-office treatment that leaves your skin more vulnerable, how does sun exposure impact the safety and effectiveness of your skin treatment?

"Any truly summer-proof treatment will have little to no downtime to minimize post-procedure complications. That being said, even the most gentle in-office treatments can make the skin photosensitive or vulnerable during summer. Sun exposure and heat dehydrate and damage our cells. This can cause unwanted side effects such as prolonged healing, darkening of pigmentation, irritation, redness, and more."

What has your experience been with RescueMD DNA Repair Complex?

"RescueMD DNA Repair Complex offers so many benefits to our patients. It truly complements any treatment or procedure! In our plastic surgery center, we often recommend it to optimize the healing and eventual appearance of scars. In the skin clinic, I will incorporate it into my treatments or send our patients home with some to apply post-procedure. It absorbs right into the skin to promote healing and reduce redness."

Olivia Berry has been a Licensed Medical Aesthetician for nearly 8 years. She works at Meridian Plastic Surgery in Austin, Texas, performing facials, chemical peels, laser treatments, microneedling, and more.

Follow Olivia & Meridian Plastic Surgery or Instagram or view their website to learn more and make an appointment in Austin, Texas.