“Caring for Your Skin in Spring”

During the winter months, cold weather can dry out the skin and make it appear dull and pale. With the arrival of spring, taking certain precautions can help eliminate these effects and prepare the skin for the potential challenges of summer. Preparing the skin for summer involves a wide range of changes, including adjustments to cosmetic products and incorporating various cosmetic dermatological procedures.

Environmental and seasonal changes can cause the skin to become dry, leading to the development of wrinkles and other signs of aging. Therefore, especially during these days leading up to summer, when the skin is prone to drying out due to cold weather and wind, it is necessary to apply daily regular care with a moisturizing cream. Moisturizers soften the skin, maintain moisture balance, prevent the formation of fine wrinkles due to water loss, prevent dryness and flaking, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and enhance the skin’s resistance.

Another group of dermocosmetic products is “anti-aging” products, which often contain AHA, Vitamin A, vitamin C, fruit acids, coenzyme Q, and antioxidant substances. Regular application of these substances to the skin reduces skin damage caused by the sun and delays skin aging. When determining the appropriate form of these products, it is advisable to seek help from a dermatology specialist who can assess your age and skin type.

The most significant cause of skin damage in the summer months is the sun’s ultraviolet rays. When this effect is strong, sunburn and sun allergies can occur quickly. Long-term or repetitive exposure to sunlight can lead to chronic damage, including premature aging, the formation of spots and freckles, dilation of capillaries, excessive dryness and itching, thickening and coarsening of the skin, and most importantly, the development of skin cancers. The easiest way to protect against these harmful effects is to minimize exposure to sunlight when the sun’s rays are most intense, between 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM. During these times, it is essential to avoid direct exposure to sunlight and use wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, and tight-woven light-colored clothing. Additionally, it is crucial to use sunscreen regularly during the summer months. Sunscreen lotions prevent UV rays from reaching the skin by absorbing, reflecting, and scattering them. The effectiveness of sunscreen lotions is determined by the sun protection factor (SPF). The higher the SPF, the more effective the lotion. In the summer months, sunscreen lotions with at least an SPF 30 are recommended. These lotions should be applied to dry skin 30-60 minutes before going out in the sun and reapplied every 2-3 hours.

During the summer months, due to the risk of new spots forming from exposure to sunlight, it is advisable to avoid skin peeling (exfoliation) procedures and laser treatments, which thin the skin and increase its sensitivity. However, there are various dermocosmetic application options that can protect against the damaging effects of the sun, maintain moisture, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, which are safe to use during the summer. One of these treatments is mesotherapy. Mesotherapy involves the direct injection of special vitamins, minerals, and nourishing substances into the middle layer of the skin, which is the most sensitive area in terms of blood circulation and nutrition. In this method, the dermatologist assesses the structure of the skin and determines the appropriate formulation for the individual’s needs. These substances are administered in a mixed form with very fine-tipped special needles. Mesotherapy is used to treat various skin problems, including skin aging, pigmentation, hair loss, cellulite, eye area wrinkles and darkening. Mesotherapy is particularly effective in the treatment of cellulite, which is one of the most significant aesthetic problems in the summer. The drugs injected into the cellulite area dissolve the edema in the tissues, prevent blood pooling, regulate disrupted lymph and blood circulation, stimulate cell activity to burn and break down fats, and facilitate the removal of fat residues due to increased blood circulation. Mesotherapy treatment varies from person to person but typically consists of 8-10 sessions. The procedure is straightforward and takes about 10-15 minutes. Sessions are usually spaced 7-14 days apart. There is no need to interrupt daily life after treatment.

PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) therapy is another method that can be safely used during the summer months, especially for the treatment of “photoaging,” which is defined as chronic skin damage resulting from the effects of ultraviolet rays. This method involves taking a small amount of blood (around 8-10 cc) from the individual and subjecting it to a special process to separate its components. The resulting plasma is rich in platelets (clotting cells) and leukocytes (white blood cells). Activated platelets and leukocytes secrete growth factors. These growth factors trigger the renewal and multiplication of stem cells, leading to significant tissue regeneration and the rapid and strong repair of damaged tissue. PRP can be applied in a similar way to mesotherapy as a filling procedure. The aim is to fill the empty spaces in the skin. Various substances are used for filling, with hyaluronic acid being the most commonly chosen filler material. Hyaluronic acid has a water-binding property. During the procedure, an anesthetic cream is applied to the skin to ensure the individual does not feel any pain, and then the medication is injected into the skin. Its effectiveness lasts for 4-6 months.

To eliminate volume loss caused by aging, dermal fillers can be applied during the summer months. This procedure is commonly used to treat deep lines around the mouth, deep lines from the nose to the mouth, lips, and cheekbone areas. The goal is to fill the voids in the skin. Various substances are used for filling, with hyaluronic acid being the most commonly chosen filler material. Hyaluronic acid has a water-binding property. During the procedure, an anesthetic cream is applied to the skin to ensure the individual does not feel any pain, and then the medication is injected into the skin. Its effectiveness lasts for 4-6 months.