In the words from Game of Thrones – “winter is coming.”  Winter is the time of year when days get colder and our skin gets tighter, drier; that’s why we recommend everyone (men and women included) start prepping for your winter skincare routine to combat harsh weather elements.  This month we are sharing some of your top winter skincare questions that were shared with us recently because it can be a lot to decipher which skincare products, anti-aging treatments, or facial rejuvenation treatment will help them achieve the best results.  From sunscreen reminders to renewing the skin, without further ado, here are the top Dear #AYAGirls questions to help serve as your winter skincare guide:

Dear #AYAGirls,

I get why sunscreen is important during the summer, but why do I need to use it year-round if I’m in hibernation mode all winter?

Sincerely,

Fun in the Sun, Not the Cold

Dear Fun in the Sun, Not the Cold,

Sun protection is a year-round job.  Even in winter months the sun still emits harmful ultraviolet rays that can wreak havoc to the skin.  Not only is sunscreen a prime defense against skin cancer (which is among one of the most common forms of cancer) but it also helps to prevent wrinkles, age spots, and reduce the appearance of fine lines.  Rather than accumulating more sun damage, sunscreen gives the skin ample protection to naturally repair itself.  We always recommend using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum SPF 30 on your face and hands. The reason we say this is because the sun’s rays can reflect off of windows, as well as snow for all of you winter sports fans; even if you’re not spending prolonged time outdoors the skin is still exposed.  Adding a moisturizer with SPF included is a great option for helping to keep your face hydrated, yet protected.  Many of our medical-grade skincare products contain SPF and are great defenses for slowing down noticeable signs of aging.

 

Dear #AYAGirls,

I really want to do something about these acne scars on my face and want to try a chemical peel but will the winter weather dry my face out even more as the skin starts to peel off?  What’s the downtime like and will I be able to show my face at the office?

Sincerely,

Acne Fighter 

Dear Acne Fighter,

The beauty of chemical peels is that it exfoliates and rejuvenates your facial skin non-surgically, without downtime!  How chemical peels work is that we use a safe chemical solution, specifically customized to your skin type and concerns, to be applied to the face.  As the chemical peel starts to work beneath the skin’s surface, old damaged skin peels away to leave room for newer, brighter, and firmer skin.  Each patient is different so it’s hard to judge whether it will take a week or more for your skin to stop peeling but trust us, it’s not as obtrusive as you may think.  Picking and peeling at your face is not recommended because we don’t want to disrupt the skin’s healing or risk possible pigmentation.  Keeping moisturizer handy to apply, and reapply, to the skin as needed is really your best tool during the winter whether you have a chemical peel or not.

Winter is also a great time to consider starting your laser treatments.  Since many of our cosmetic skincare laser treatments require multiple treatments as the body’s natural processes go to work, starting now will let you be hair free, younger-looking, or bathing suit ready by the time summer 2016 rolls around.  Skincare maintenance should be a daily commitment and the AYA^™ Medical Spa team is here to help you with everything in between to keep your skin healthy!  Head to our skincare specials page to learn more about the current specials we have running (including Ultherapy^® skin tightening and chemical peels!) or give us a call at 404-842-1772 to schedule your Fall/Winter treatment today.  Stay tuned in the upcoming weeks for the next Dear #AYAGirls series!