With summer around the corner, clients will be getting ready to spend a few months at the beach and the pool and, after that, they will be looking to skin care professionals to help undo the damage from all their summer fun. Premature aging from sun exposure or tanning beds can attribute up to 90% of how old (or young) a person looks, but that damage does not stop at wrinkles. Skin can become dehydrated, blotchy, and dull from the elements of summer.
It is important to have a selection of retail products available for clients to take home and continue the repair and protection of their skin. Look for products that contain sunscreen, restorative products for the hands and decollate, and ultraviolet protective clothing and hats to retail in the spa.

AT HOME
With guidance, clients can develop at-home habits that can help to combat sun damage and reverse damage.
Sunscreen: It is important for clients to use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. Sunscreen will give clients’ skin time to heal from sun damage.
Exfoliation: Scrubs, loofahs, alpha hydroxy acid cleansers, and at-home microdermabrasion kits can remove dead skin cells and leftover self-tanner from the summer and will leave the skin looking smoother.
Hydration: After a few months of sun, chlorine, and salt water, a client’s skin will be affected. Moisturizers for the hand, body, and face, as well as drinking lots of water, can help the skin to appear less wrinkled.
Antioxidants: Eating a diet rich in antioxidants will keep a client’s skin looking its best and protect the skin from sun damage. Crimini mushrooms, green tea, pomegranates, and salmon are some of the many foods that contain nutrients that will help repair sun damaged skin.
At-Home Products: Not to be used during the summer, unless clients are planning on staying inside, retinols can be used to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Brightening serums with vitamin C can also improve the condition of pores, without the intensity of retinols.

IN THE SPA
The sun damage that clients get from a summer in the sun can lead to wrinkles, pigmentation, hyperpigmentation, sun spots, reduced elasticity, and the breakdown of the skin’s texture. Here’s a breakdown on treatments to incorporate in the spa for summer recovery.
Chemical Peels and Microdermabrasion: During the summer, clients want to stay away from these treatments, but once the flip-flops are put away, a chemical peel or microdermabrasion treatment will exfoliate the top layer of skin and leave clients with a fresh layer. After the appointment, clients will want to stay inside for a few days.
Fraxel Laser Treatment: If clients need something a little more intense, a fraxel laser will exfoliate skin, break up the hyperpigmentation, and reverse the damage to skin cells. Fraxel lasers punch small holes in the skin and create a controlled wound, which allows the skin to heal, improving the skin tone and texture. Fraxel lasers can even help to reverse precancerous changes to the skin cells. After treatment, clients will want to stay out of the sun for a few days.
Photo Facial: It is not just the face that takes the brunt of summer. The neck, chest, hands, and back also receive a lot of exposure to ultraviolet rays and will need some attention, as well. A photo facial laser treatment is good for the entire body and will rejuvenate the skin and eliminate brown spots and blotchiness, while stimulating collagen and elastin production. These treatments are not painful but do require a little downtime post-treatment.
Clear and Brilliant Laser: This laser is similar but not as powerful as the well-known fraxel treatment but offers zero downtime. It will even out hyperpigmentation and increase collagen production just like the fraxel, but clients might need multiple treatments to get the same results as one fraxel treatment.
Microneedling: One of the hottest skin care trends is actually a great tool for reversing sun damage. These facials will stimulate collagen growth and combat discoloration, including the hyperpigmentation that is a result of melasma. There are devices available for clients to use at home, but they will get better results with a professional treatment.

Always urge clients to get their skin checked by a dermatologist once a year and, if anything looks amiss or if moles have visibly changed over time, make sure to let clients know so that they can have them checked.