How to Revive Your Skin After the Holidays: Tips for Post-Summer Skin Recovery

Medical Aesthetics

7 Top Tips on how to rejuvenate your skin and restore your glow after the summer holiday season

The summer holiday season is drawing to a close, and it may be that you have had late nights, lots of delicious food, and possibly one too many cocktails! From overindulgence in food and alcohol to exposure to harsh UV weather, your skin may need some serious TLC. Dullness, dryness, acne, and pigmentation are some skin issues that may be of concern. Here are some top tips on how you can create optimal post summer skin recovery to restore that glow and rejuvenate your skin.

1.      Hydration

  First step in reviving your skin is rehydration. Alcohol, salty foods, and late nights can deplete your skins moisture levels, leading to dryness and dullness. Start by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.  The Eatwell Guide recommends that people should aim to drink 6-8 cups of fluid a day. Limit caffeine. If you get bored of water try sparkling water with a slice of lemon or lime. One of my favourite drinks in the evening is sparkling water with Bottle green™ elderflower cordial. Although you need to watch the sugar content, it is hydrating and helps in avoiding alcohol too.

Injectable skin booster

For that extra hydration boost you might want to consider an injectable clinic treatment. Hyaluronic Acid based skin boosters like BELOTERO™ Revive can replace lost moisture. Revive is injected beneath the skin where it can provide direct hydration, thanks to the hyaluronic acid and glycerol it contains. Together these powerful moisture-attracting ingredients revitalise sun damaged skin by improving hydration, elasticity and firmness, smoothing superficial fine lines and reducing skin roughness for a more radiant look.

2.      Detox from Within

Your skin is often a reflection on what is going on inside your body.  Post- holiday detoxing doesn’t need to be extreme. Simple changes like reducing sugar intake, cutting back on alcohol and incorporating more fruits and vegetables can make a big difference. Green tea and herbal teas are great options to help flush out toxins and reduce inflammation.

3.      Exfoliation

  After the holidays, your skin might be clogged with dead cells, making it look dull and tired. Exfoliation can help remove these dead cells, revealing fresher, brighter skin underneath. Mild exfoliants, whether it's a physical scrub or a chemical exfoliant like glycolic or lactic acid can be used at home once or twice a week. One of my favourite at home peel products is AlphaRet™ Exfoliating Peel Pad by Skinbetter Science™. Used in the evening this triple acid (glycolic, lactic and salicylic) formulation enhanced with a retinoid exfoliates skin leaving it smooth and bright.

Professional Chemical Peels

 Your skin may require a deeper exfoliation to address more severe skin concerns or sun damage like dark spots or melasma. A professional chemical peel treatment involves  applying a chemical solution to the skin to exfoliate and remove the top layers. This process stimulates new skin growth, which can improve the appearance of the skin, making it smoother more even toned and rejuvenated.

Benefits of an Professional Chemical Peel

• improve the overall tone and texture of your skin

• lighten and brighten your skin

• remove or reduce sun damage and age spots

• reduce pore size and soften fine lines and wrinkles

• reduce or eliminate hyperpigmentation and acne scars

• improve acne skin conditions and melasma

• stimulate the production of collagen resulting in firmer skin

BioRePeel chemical Peel

There are different types of chemical peels. Superficial, medium and deep. Superficial peels commonly use AHA’s (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) like glycolic or salicyclic acid. They have minimal downtime and a course are recommended to achieve desired results. Medium depth peels involve more downtime with a visible shedding of the upper layer of the skin but results are impressive and achieved in less time. A full medical consultation with your aesthetic nurse can determine which chemical peel is the most suitable for you. My favourite peel to use in clinic is Bio-RePeel. It has a revolutionary combination of different acids that creates a fantastic biostimulating and reviltalising action with minimal downtime.

4.      Soothe and Repair

If your skin is feeling sensitive or irritated after the holiday fun it's time to focus on soothing and repairing. Look for products with calming ingredients like Aloe Vera, chamomile or Niacinamide. These can help reduce redness, irritation, and support the skin's natural healing process. A good hydrating mask or overnight cream can also work wonders in restoring your skin's barrier.

5.      Get Sleep Back on Track

Late nights during the holidays can disrupt your sleep pattern, leading to tired, puffy skin and dark circles. Aim to re-establish a regular sleep schedule. Getting 7 to 8 hours of quality sleep each night will give your skin time to repair itself. Consider using a silk pillowcase to minimise friction on your skin, and apply a nourishing eye cream before bed to reduce puffiness. Injectable polynucleotide treatments to the peri-occular area can further assist with the skin quality and dark circles in this area. A course of 3-4 treatments are recommended.

6.      Consistent Skin Routine

 The key to long-term optimum skin health is consistency.  It’s important you have a daily regular skincare routine that includes cleansing, antioxidants, moisturising and protection with SPF. Over time, gradually you will see your skin returning to its former radiance.

7.      SPF is still important!

 Finally, even in Autumn and Winter, UV rays can damage your skin. If you've been enjoying outdoor activities your skin might have been more exposed than usual. Continue using a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily even if it's cloudy. This will protect your skin from further damage and help prevent hyperpigmentation and premature ageing.

Conclusion

We all love holidays and it’s sad when they are over but even sadder when our skin is suffering the after effects. By focusing on rehydration, a good skin care routine and considering a professional treatment can help your skin fully recover from the summer months and get that glow back. Remember your skin reflects your overall health, so taking care of it inside and out will ensure that you enter the new autumn season glowing with restored radiance.

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If you are interested in any of the above treatments or would like to access support in optimising your skin health visit www.ginaaesthetics.co.uk to book a skin consultation online with Gina Maslin - Registered Aesthetic Nurse (RGN) Independent Nurse Prescriber (INP).

References:

NHS Eatwell Guide 2024: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/food-guidelines-and-food-labels/the-eatwell-guide/