As we approach the "Dog Days" of summer, I urge you to remember to take extra care of your skin. After all it's the only skin you have.

A simple approach to skin care makes sense in the summer, but there are also special challenges as we all know how brutal the South Florida Summers can be. You surely already know that you should wear sun protection daily to avoid premature aging and skin cancer, but you might not recognize the more immediate problems caused by heat and humidity. If your skin is dry, it may look and feel better in the warmer months. But if it's oily, the heat and humidity of summer can make it feel more so.

Small adjustments in the products and care that you use can mean the difference between good skin and problem skin. For example, if your skin tends to be oily, start with a soap-free cleanser and finish with a few swipes of an alcohol-free toner, suggests Jeanine Downie, M.D., director of Image Dermatology in Montclair, New Jersey. "You'll remove makeup and dirt, but you won't strip the skin of all oils or cause irritation,"

Exfoliation, important in warmer weather when you're revealing more skin, can easily be overdone, so proceed with caution. "Exfoliating scrubs, sea sponges and loofahs are great for elbows, knees and heels, but keep them away from the face," says Downie. Using scrubs on the face can produce microtears in the skin that can lead to uneven pigmentation if you're exposed to the sun. Proper Microdermabrasions can effectively and gently exfoliate the undesired layers of dead cells, producing a healthy radiant skin. A finishing touch would be glycolic acid or lactic acid. These exfoliate, improving the skin's tone and texture. It is very important to not be in the sun for 48 hours after the Microdermabraison treatment for the best results.

What to Expect from a Microdermabrasion Treatment

After the first treatment the skin will have a fresh, radiant glow. Fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots become greatly diminished, and many clients report that their skin seems to be softer, smoother and younger looking.

When the skin surface is disrupted a cell division takes place. This division stimulates fibroblast activity, one of the rejuvenating mechanisms in the skin that slows with age, resulting in the loss of skin elasticity. Fibroblast activity also creates the protein fibers, which are the building blocks of collagen. Repeated Microdermabrasion treatments maximize this process because of their unique ability to deliver outstanding reproducible results both above and below the surface.

Improvement continues throughout the treatment program, and you'll begin to notice visible results after the third treatment. A series of 6 weekly treatments are recommended for optimal results. After the initial series of Microdermabrasion treatments have been completed, scheduling should be every two to three months. Think seasonal as a good guideline. Intersperse Microdermabrasion treatments with basic rejuvenating facials and remember to use sun block every day.

If you normally use moisturizer every day (and you should), you may find that your skin will benefit from a lighter, oil-free formulation in the summer. Most oil-free moisturizers contain silicone or glycerin-based ingredients that provide moisture without feeling heavy or clogging pores. To lighten up, consider using a dual-purpose product like an SPF moisturizer. If you don't like moisturizer, you could use a foundation with an SPF. If you like wearing foundation but would prefer lighter coverage, consider a tinted moisturizer.

As always, when you are ready to schedule an appointment for treatment, or just need to get an answer to a question regarding skin care, please feel free to contact me via the Salon or via email and I'll be sure to get back in touch with you.

Best wishes,

- Beata