FALL SKINCARE 101: An Esthetician's Take On Treating Pigmentation From Summer

As summer ends and the cooler months of fall begin, many people notice lingering effects of the sun on their skin, especially in the form of pigmentation. To explore how to best treat these concerns, we spoke with Amber Mace, licensed esthetician and owner of Elysian Aesthetics. Amber, known for her results-driven approach to skincare, shares her expert tips on tackling post-summer pigmentation, the in-office treatments she recommends, and the crucial role of a proper at-home routine. With her guidance, you'll learn how to keep your skin glowing and healthy as the seasons shift. 

“As the temperature begins to drop, we are seeing clients outside less, but that does not mean the effects of summer have gone away. Pigmentation and sun damage are usually at an all time high. We usually see more fine lines & wrinkles present due to sun damage over the summer. We are also seeing an influx in congestion around areas like the hairline or nose.”

“At Elysian Aesthetics, we specialize in correction, so focusing on truly correcting & preventing pigment is key. We like to utilize all tools we have so first & foremost is having a solid homecare routine. My personal favorites being a Vitamin C that is a Tyrosinase Inhibitor to focus on that prevention aspect as well as using those antioxidants to fight against pigment. We also highly recommend a skin healing product, like the DNA Repair Complex, especially when getting advanced treatments to aid in skin healing. In-office, our favorite duo is using peels & LED. Chemical peels create a controlled wound, which kickstarts the skin into healing itself. This allows new skin to regenerate & remove layers of skin with damage. LED helps by reducing the production of melanin in the melanocytes which creates less melanin within the skin. Peels typically work best in a series of 3 - 6 to truly reach those targeted concerns & keep them away.” 

“Everyone is different! While Peels are a tried and true method, some clients may need something different or a different combination. Some clients have very superficial pigment, so we see results in 1-2 peels. Some clients have sun damage from 20 years ago, which we have to approach differently. It is key to do a skin analysis as well as making sure your client is using proper homecare to then decide which route to take In-Office. Some favorites from clients have been Physicals Peels or Dermaplaning with a Chemical Peel.”

*In a dermatologist-led clinical study, DNA Repair Complex was clinically proven to boost radiance in 100% of subjects observed while 92% of subjects observed saw an improvement in skin damage caused by sun exposure

“DNA Repair Complex has been an absolute game changer in and out of the treatment room. I personally use this in almost every single facial due to its healing properties. Some clients get a little rosy, so mixing a few pumps in with their mask helps alleviate that redness and sensitivity. Some clients feel sensitive after a chemical peel, so using the DNA Repair Complex with LED helps reduce sensitivity and kick start the healing process. This is an incredibly vital homecare product as it truly heals and preps skin in a way I have not seen. Sometimes down time for a peel can be as long as a week. With the DNA Repair Complex, I've seen that cut down by half, sometimes less. I have seen sunburns going away overnight, scars lightening within a few weeks, pigment that has been present for years diminishing. This is a product anyone who has skin needs on their shelf, whether you are getting In-Office treatments or not.” 

“As the seasons change, skin does too. It is important to talk to your esthetician to see what your skin may be needing. As the weather cools, you may not need to exfoliate as often as you were in the summer or you may need more moisture as the air gets drier. My personal advice - have a core 4. It is important to have a Cleanser, Serum, Moisturizer and SPF you are able to use consistently that is targeted to your skin type and concerns. And lastly, just because it gets cooler or rains or maybe snows where you are, that does not mean we stop wearing SPF!”

“It all begins with a desire to help people. After being a professional makeup artist, I was always asked for help or guidance with client’s skin. I knew the basics of cleansing, not picking and using good products, but nothing deeper than that. After exploring different avenues of skin health advocates, I ultimately decided on esthetics with a focus on clinical treatments. Achieving results without having to compromise the skin, burn money from your pockets or waste time. That is my dream. Elysian Aesthetics has grown into that dream from 2017 & I am proudly looking forward, excited for the growth of Elysian Aesthetics.” 

Amber Mace is a licensed aesthetician and owner of Elysian Aesthetics in Folsom, CA. Check out Elysian Aesthetic’s website to learn more about Amber or book a treatment. Follow Amber on Instagram for more skin tips!