Though temperatures are high, fall is right around the corner! Fall makes for a perfect time to schedule the treatment you’ve been putting off all summer. Whether correcting sun damage, removing dead skin, reversing the signs of aging, or helping with pigmentation, we have the right procedure for you and your skin concerns.

Here are a few recommendations to prepare the skin for any future TREATMENT (Vivace, Fraxel, VI or Chemical Peels): 

• It is best to prep the skin with a well-rounded skincare regimen for 1-2 months in advance before any treatment; cleanser, antioxidants, vitamin c, retinol, and SPF. Better known as, our Big 5 of Skin Care. Growth factors are also very beneficial in helping create healthier cells. Good skincare creates healthier tissue and will help the skin react better to the treatment for optimum results!

• If prone to hyperpigmentation, the skin needs to be prepped with hydroquinone (an ingredient that suppresses melanin), ideally for 1-2 months. Hydroquinone will also be ideal to keep pigment suppressed post treatment.

• Please let your treatment provider know if you are prone to cold sores in the area being treated so that an antiviral medication can be prescribed. Heat from the laser can trigger an outbreak in these people if not suppressed.  

• Make sure to stay out of the sun 7-10 days prior to treatment

• Stop retinol use 7-10 days prior to treatment. You may continue use of hydroquinone up until the night before.

• Avoid waxing one week before and 4 weeks after treatment

• Chemical peels are a great treatment that will resurface the skin and greatly improve tone and texture. It is a great way to quickly remove damaged skin, especially if you have an important event coming up with little time to prep. (We all have busy social schedules during the holiday season). Fall is typically the beginning of “chemical peel season” since we aren’t in the sun as much. Your aesthetician will know which one is best!

Did you know your skin requires different products in the cooler months? Here are a few recommendations from our Aesthetician, Tricia about achieving your optimal fall skin through the use of products:

• At home skincare regimen is an absolute MUST! Investing in medical grade skin products is so important if you aren’t doing so already. Medical grade skincare contains the percentages of ingredients that are needed to achieve the best results. Over the counter products can often contain low quality ingredients and/or ingredients that are not strong enough to make noticeable changes, only leading to frustration and feeling like you have wasted money and time. 

• Retinol products will turn cells over quicker and help remove top layers of skin cells, revealing new fresh skin. Your aesthetician can recommend one that will best work with your skin type. All retinols are NOT created equal! Sometimes it is necessary to use a retinol less frequently in the colder months since the air is dryer and skin is typically a little more sensitive. Just be mindful to stay on a regular regimen and don’t stop completely! 

• Antioxidants are a must to protect your skin. Vitamins C, E will help protect your skin from environmental factors that will only break down cells and compromise the quality of the cells. This is especially a problem in fall and winter as the weather changes. Vitamin C is also serves as a great brightener! 

• Hyperpigmentation is always a big concern after the summer months. There are medical grade lighteners and brighteners that can really help! Hydroquinone is an example of a lightener that works by suppressing the melanin your body creates. It is a great fighter against unwanted pigment, especially when used in unison with a medical grade retinol. There are also non hydroquinone lighteners that prove to be very helpful such as Kojic acid. 

• SPF is MANDATORY in the fight against aging year-round. Do not slack in the fall/winter! Without it, your cells are vulnerable to damage from UVA, UVB and IR rays. Ingredients such as Zinc and Titanium will physically protect the skin from these types of rays. Always choose an SPF of 30 or higher and high-quality ingredients. 

• Sometimes skin needs a heavier moisturizer entering the colder months. 

• Adding a lip moisturizer might be necessary to combat the dryness of colder temps and windier days. Getting yourself on a regular regimen that includes all these things will improve your skin tremendously. It will also help strengthen it in preparation for anti-aging treatments, such as RF microneedling and lasers, all of which are ideal to do in the fall and winter months!

Let’s get fall ready by scheduling an appointment with one of our providers. It’s never too early to get on the books for your first treatment. Schedule today by booking online https://ashleymcfarlandaesthetics.com

To read up on some of our favorite fall procedures and what they entail, please choose one of the following links:

Vivace –  https://ashleymcfarlandaesthetics.com/vivace-microneedling-murfreesboro/

Fraxel – https://ashleymcfarlandaesthetics.com/what-is-fraxel/

Chemical peels – https://ashleymcfarlandaesthetics.com/ama-guide-to-chemical-peels/

Microneedling – https://ashleymcfarlandaesthetics.com/microneedling-101-everything-you-need-to-know/