Get Ready for Summer

If you are worried about bathing suit season, join the crowd.  It is best to start a month or two before swimsuit season thinking about your skin texture and tone so that you'll look better without makeup at the pool.  A few chemical peels, skin lightening creams, or Retinol/Retin-A creams help with blotchiness.  The chemical peels and Retinol/Retin-A also help with pore size and fine lines.  A good daily sunscreen is a must, but you may wish to switch to a lighter daily sunscreen than you might have used in winter.  Elta MD's UV Physical is a good one, but if you have acne or blotchiness the UV Clear is a great choice.  For the day at the pool, consider a waterproof one such as UV Sport 50 and reapply often, at least once an hour if you are swimming. 

A second big problem at the pool/beach is the runny mascara.  Try Latisse, a lash lengthening medication, for 4-6 weeks and you probably won't even need mascara any more. 

If daily shaving is a problem, schedule a consult for laser hair reduction for the bikin area or underarms.  You'll be glad you did when you spend more time at the pool and less time shaving!

Finally, don't forget to get your feet in shape for the poolside.  Start with a foot paddle to exfoliate dry skin around the heel.  Consider using a cream with lactic acid or urea in it to keep the dry skin at bay.  I like AmLactin cream or Eucerin Intensive Repair Body Creme, both available over the counter.  If that doesn't do the trick, prescription products are available with stronger ingredients. 

Winter Skincare Tips From Dr. Readinger

If you have eczema, you may notice that cooler weather brings a flare of your skin condition. Other people who have never had eczema notice some dryness and itchiness, otherwise known as “winter itch.” We tend to crank up the heat inside which causes the air to have less humidity in it. Some of us take hotter showers to warm up which also causes drying of our skin. Top that off with a wool sweater and it’s a recipe for itchy skin.

To try to fend off the winter itch, try taking warm but not hot showers. Immediately after your shower, apply a good layer of thicker cream without any added fragrance. Some of the my favorites are Cerave, Cetaphil Restoraderm, and Eucerin Calming Crème. Keep in mind that a lotion may go on easier, but you want something a little thicker to last you longer in the winter months. For your face, it’s good to apply a good night cream such as SkinMedica’s Dermal Repair Cream. During the day, be sure to use a moisturizer then a sunscreen or a combination sunscreen and moisturizer.

On the topic of sunscreens, don’t forget to make a habit of using a daily sunscreen, even during the winter months. All too often, there is a cool but clear day with a little bit of sun, and we all head outside to enjoy it. It’s very easy to burn on those days when you weren’t expecting to get any sun at all. My favorite sunscreens are UV Physical and UV Daily by Elta MD, although the type that best suites you will depend on your skin type.