Derm RF

The Doctor is In … Fall Cleaning

September 2, 2011 at 2:27 pm Dr. Katie Rodan 4 comments

By Dr. Katie Rodan

As cool, crisp mornings of September arrive and I find myself settling into my fall routine, I often feel a moment of nostalgia for the carefree days of summer … until I look in the mirror that is.

Yes, even dermatologists have autumn amends to make for their summer skin sins. Despite all the SPF protection and planning I did last summer,  the bike rides, hikes and outdoor lunches have added up to some telltale changes in my skin tone and texture.

I erase the damage of summer days gone by each September with what I call “Fall Cleaning,” my derm version of spring cleaning, and my chance to clean the slate and start the new season with fresh, youthful looking skin. My “skintervention” starts with a hydroquinone-based regimen to clear the dullness and dark marks. I apply it daily for two weeks and then up to twice daily for a month or two, until the days of summer are a mere memory and I’m happy with the results.

Three times a week I also exfoliate to expedite the process by increasing cell turnover. And since the sun is still a serious concern in fall, I continue with sunscreen application every morning.

If you’re dealing with similar summer remnants, start incorporating this simple routine and before you know it, along with the colorful radiance of changing leaves, your skin will have a fresh fall start and a new, even glow of its own.

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