Updating Your Skincare Routine for Fall

October 2, 2017 DLM Admin


skincare routine tips

skincare routine tipsAs the seasons change, so should your skincare routine. Shifts in the weather and the atmosphere change the way your skin reacts to the world around it. It’s critical to take this into account as you continue to care for your skin into the fall and winter. Start your fall with your best face forward by renewing your skincare routine to keep your skin healthy all year round.

Exfoliate

The new season is an ideal time to start fresh with your skincare routine. What better way to do that than with a clean slate? Exfoliation — whether with a regular at-home exfoliator or a more in-depth procedure — can get rid of the dull top layer of skin cells that have been sitting on your face for the last few months and let you start the fall with clear, glowing skin. There are many ways to exfoliate successfully. The two broad categories of exfoliation for your face are physical and chemical; physical exfoliation uses gentle abrasive techniques to slough away dead skin cells, while chemical exfoliators use mild acidic ingredients to dissolve them.

If you’re interested in adding an exfoliator to your daily skincare routine, we recommend looking for a chemical exfoliant. Over-the-counter physical exfoliants can be harsh on aging or sun-damaged skin, especially face scrubs and exfoliating brushes. You can have more control over the level of exfoliation with a chemical exfoliant like glycolic, lactic or salicylic acid. These are widely available as creams or facial wipes, allowing you to use them sparingly if you find they are drying out your skin. Chemical peels are also excellent options, especially when administered by a physician — medical-grade peels are specially created with the highest quality ingredients to be gentle yet effective, and can often be customized to hydrate or brighten at the same time.

If you’re looking for a one-time procedure to refresh your face before starting your new skincare routine, a physical exfoliation procedure like microdermabrasion might be best for you. These procedures use special tools to scrape away only the uppermost, dead layer of skin cells, revealing the healthy new cells beneath and leaving your skin with a youthful glow.

Brighten

For aging skin, summer sun often makes dark spots significantly more noticeable, especially if you weren’t religious about your sunscreen application. If the last few months spent outside by the pool or lake have left you with hyperpigmentation, a brightening cream is a great new addition to your fall skincare regimen. Vitamin C is the hot-ticket ingredient for brightening on the market this season. It comes with a host of benefits: it’s a powerful antioxidant and hydrator, it stimulates collagen production and it decreases the production of dark spot-causing skin pigments. Look for a formula that also contains Vitamin E and ferulic acid — studies show that the combination of these three ingredients increases the benefits of Vitamin C up to eight times.

Moisturize

Dry fall air, especially here in Iowa where temperatures start to drop drastically in the fall, can cause all sorts of skin problems. As humidity levels decrease, the water molecules in your skin that keep you hydrated are drawn out and evaporate more quickly. Keeping your skin hydrated is a necessary anti-aging technique; dehydrated skin loses volume more quickly, which makes wrinkles and fine lines worse. And, it might sound counter-intuitive, but using a good moisturizer can combat acne and breakouts as well. Oily skin is sometimes a product of dry skin overproducing oil in an attempt to keep itself hydrated.

It’s important to use a moisturizer in the fall that can not only replenish the moisture in your skin, but can also keep it locked in and prevent it from evaporating. Occlusive moisturizers are great for this. They contain ingredients that form a barrier over your skin that traps water molecules inside. Some common occlusive ingredients include silicones, jojoba oil and petrolatum.

Protect

Skin, especially aging skin, absolutely needs protection from UV rays every day. Even when it’s cloudy or you think you’ll be indoors most of the day, it’s important to have a sunscreen that’s part of your daily skincare routine. It’s especially important to wear sunscreen if you’ve recently had facial cosmetic surgery. Protection from UV rays can minimize scarring and help your results last longer.

Even if you haven’t had cosmetic surgery, UV rays wreak havoc on the skin. They cause oxygen molecules to split apart, forming free radicals — single atoms that float around looking for other substances to attach themselves to. When they attach to important structures like DNA, proteins and cell membranes, they cause the skin damage that results in signs of aging like deep wrinkles, dark spots and sagging. A good antioxidant can combat this, but it’s most important to protect your skin from UV rays to begin with. Look for a daily sunscreen that’s full spectrum — this means it blocks UVA1, UVA2 and UVB rays.

Discard

Unlike all those sweaters that you’ve been storing since the spring, you might not want to dig out your old skincare products from last year. Most creams, serums and lotions have an expiration date, they contain ingredients that can change quickly, and are prone to growing bacteria if they aren’t stored properly. In fact, many skincare experts recommend storing skincare products in the refrigerator unless the packaging includes specific directions otherwise.

Using expired products or products that were stored in a dark cabinet all summer can be harmful to your skin. At best, they won’t be fully effective, and at worst, you could develop a serious infection. If you’re not sure if a product is still safe to use, it’s best to toss it and replace it.

If you have recently had facial cosmetic surgery performed here at Dr. Andrews Plastic Surgery, we encourage you to reach out to us directly so Dr. Andrews or his PA, Courtney Albritton, can help you find specific products to keep your skin stay healthy while you heal. You can also reach out to us if you have questions about medical-grade skin treatments like chemical peels or laser resurfacing, which we offer. Call us today at 319-800-6877.

January 11, 2017

Dear Dr. Andrews,
Thank you so much for all you’ve done for me and my family. You are trustworthy, kind and personable. We really appreciate you and your talent. Thank you!*
5.0
2017-01-11T13:02:59-06:00
Dear Dr. Andrews, Thank you so much for all you’ve done for me and my family. You are trustworthy, kind and personable. We really appreciate you and your talent. Thank you!*

Everything is great!!

Just had my surgery from Dr. Andrews and everything is great!! He is the most kindest Dr. ever!*
5.0
2017-01-22T15:30:46-06:00
Just had my surgery from Dr. Andrews and everything is great!! He is the most kindest Dr. ever!*

You change peoples’ lives!

You change peoples’ lives! Words cannot express how much I love my new girls! Thank you so much for giving me exactly what I wanted. You are amazing!*
5.0
2017-02-24T14:28:06-06:00
You change peoples’ lives! Words cannot express how much I love my new girls! Thank you so much for giving me exactly what I wanted. You are amazing!*

I am a patient at Dr. Andrews!

I am a patient at Dr. Andrews! I highly recommend utilizing their services. Very thorough consultations, educational and informative. They give you lots of options to fit your needs and guide you through it. Amazing staff that is highly trained with the most up to date procedures and tools. I can't say enough about Dr. Andrews and his amazing staff!*
5.0
2016-09-28T15:22:01-05:00
I am a patient at Dr. Andrews! I highly recommend utilizing their services. Very thorough consultations, educational and informative. They give you lots of options to fit your needs and guide you through it. Amazing staff that is highly trained with the most up to date procedures and tools. I can't say enough about Dr. Andrews and his amazing staff!*

June 26th, 2013

Dr. Andrews is an artist. His academic credentials are second to none. You can see that sensibility in every aspect of his practice, and his life. His outcomes are exceptional, and there isn’t a surgeon anywhere that I trust more.*
2015-02-10T19:25:22-06:00
Dr. Andrews is an artist. His academic credentials are second to none. You can see that sensibility in every aspect of his practice, and his life. His outcomes are exceptional, and there isn’t a surgeon anywhere that I trust more.*

May 27th, 2013

I am beyond happy with my results. I had extra skin hanging from my abdomen after gaining weight from pregnancies. Dr. Andrews was compassionate and understanding about how this affected me and my self-esteem.*
2015-02-10T19:25:46-06:00
I am beyond happy with my results. I had extra skin hanging from my abdomen after gaining weight from pregnancies. Dr. Andrews was compassionate and understanding about how this affected me and my self-esteem.*

May 27th, 2013

I can now wear bikinis! I continue to work out and can finally see the results of my hard work. Thank you Dr. Andrews – a California gem in the midwest!*
2015-02-10T19:26:11-06:00
I can now wear bikinis! I continue to work out and can finally see the results of my hard work. Thank you Dr. Andrews – a California gem in the midwest!*

June 1st, 2013

Dr. Andrews is one of the best plastic surgeons I’ve worked with! His patients are very pleased with their results. I highly recommend him!*
2015-02-10T19:26:35-06:00
Dr. Andrews is one of the best plastic surgeons I’ve worked with! His patients are very pleased with their results. I highly recommend him!*

Jan 24th, 2013

Dr Andrews was wonderful!! Great Guy… awesome job on my reconstruction!!*
2015-02-10T19:26:55-06:00
Dr Andrews was wonderful!! Great Guy… awesome job on my reconstruction!!*

Nov 2nd, 2012

I had suffered debilitating Hidradenitis. He gave me the ability to have a normal life again. My scars look amazing and he was able to close with the most beautiful lines! He was such a caring doctor who is so gifted. I hope to follow his practice wherever he may go!*
2015-02-10T19:27:28-06:00
I had suffered debilitating Hidradenitis. He gave me the ability to have a normal life again. My scars look amazing and he was able to close with the most beautiful lines! He was such a caring doctor who is so gifted. I hope to follow his practice wherever he may go!*

Oct 29th, 2012

Dr. Andrews was the absolute best doctor for me - very informative, sensitive, and caring with just the right amount of humor during the appointments.*
2015-02-10T19:27:54-06:00
Dr. Andrews was the absolute best doctor for me - very informative, sensitive, and caring with just the right amount of humor during the appointments.*

Extraordinary doctor

Before saying that you are an extraordinary doctor, I want to tell you that you are an extraordinary human being. Thanks for showing me so much care and concern.*
2015-03-30T12:00:04-05:00
Before saying that you are an extraordinary doctor, I want to tell you that you are an extraordinary human being. Thanks for showing me so much care and concern.*

You Rock!!

I wanted to write you a thank you letter because I would never be able to find the words to say how much I appreciate everything you did for me. Thanks to you I can feel normal and not always worry if people will find out about my problem. I can’t even begin to say thank you enough or to show my gratitude. You’re an amazing person, wonderful doctor, and my hero. All in all, you ROCK!!!*
2015-03-30T12:00:42-05:00
I wanted to write you a thank you letter because I would never be able to find the words to say how much I appreciate everything you did for me. Thanks to you I can feel normal and not always worry if people will find out about my problem. I can’t even begin to say thank you enough or to show my gratitude. You’re an amazing person, wonderful doctor, and my hero. All in all, you ROCK!!!*

You all are the best!

Thank you so much for ALL of your help in my recovery thru “sometimes emotional” journey with my cancer. You all were always professional and took the time with my long list of questions. I can n0t thank you enough! Easter is my favorite time of the year and I pray God will continue to strengthen your gift and skills in healing because you all are the best!*
2015-03-30T12:02:02-05:00
Thank you so much for ALL of your help in my recovery thru “sometimes emotional” journey with my cancer. You all were always professional and took the time with my long list of questions. I can n0t thank you enough! Easter is my favorite time of the year and I pray God will continue to strengthen your gift and skills in healing because you all are the best!*

Amazing!

I’m ecstatic with my new body. It is PERFECT! I can’t even put in wordshow we feel, You are so compassionate unlike any Doctor I’ve met. I realize I’ve been a needy patient and you handled me well. You’ve gone above and beyond with me after hours for medications and issues. Also more quotes than necessary, but you did it! Your work ad attentiveness to my expectations I can’t say enough!! Now to pu the finale pictures in your gallery to show how complete I am now! You are AMAZING! Thank You! It’s been a very long, hard journey! Now to live life with the new ME!*
2015-03-30T12:02:20-05:00
I’m ecstatic with my new body. It is PERFECT! I can’t even put in wordshow we feel, You are so compassionate unlike any Doctor I’ve met. I realize I’ve been a needy patient and you handled me well. You’ve gone above and beyond with me after hours for medications and issues. Also more quotes than necessary, but you did it! Your work ad attentiveness to my expectations I can’t say enough!! Now to pu the finale pictures in your gallery to show how complete I am now! You are AMAZING! Thank You! It’s been a very long, hard journey! Now to live life with the new ME!*

With appreciation

With appreciation for putting me back together!*
2015-03-30T12:02:40-05:00
With appreciation for putting me back together!*

I am forever grateful

I consider myself blessed to be under your care as I navigated the stormy sea of breast cancer diagnosis, surgery, reconstruction, and recovery. I cannot thank you enough and am so pleased with the results! You have all been wonderful, and I will miss seeing you even though I am thrilled to be healed and moving on! The impact you have on patients who are scared and overwhelmed cannot be overstated...and I am forever grateful.*
2015-03-30T12:03:02-05:00
I consider myself blessed to be under your care as I navigated the stormy sea of breast cancer diagnosis, surgery, reconstruction, and recovery. I cannot thank you enough and am so pleased with the results! You have all been wonderful, and I will miss seeing you even though I am thrilled to be healed and moving on! The impact you have on patients who are scared and overwhelmed cannot be overstated...and I am forever grateful.*

Thank You

Thank you. For me, you are as similar as God because you created me again. It’s an amazing feeling. I feel my earlier life back again. Once again thank you very much from the bottom of my heart.*
2015-03-30T12:03:24-05:00
Thank you. For me, you are as similar as God because you created me again. It’s an amazing feeling. I feel my earlier life back again. Once again thank you very much from the bottom of my heart.*

April 12, 2016

Since my hysterectomy, sex has been extremely painful. I suffered from extreme dryness and discomfort. I had no sex drive and was no longer able to experience an orgasm. Until, recently, when a friend told me about Courtney Albritton and the ThermiVa treatment. I have had 2 of the 3 treatments and immediately experienced positive results. I am still in awe of the results I have experienced. The procedure was painless. Until ThermiVa, I had come to the realization that my sex life would no longer be what it once was pre-hysterectomy. I highly recommend this procedure.*
2016-05-05T11:40:35-05:00
Since my hysterectomy, sex has been extremely painful. I suffered from extreme dryness and discomfort. I had no sex drive and was no longer able to experience an orgasm. Until, recently, when a friend told me about Courtney Albritton and the ThermiVa treatment. I have had 2 of the 3 treatments and immediately experienced positive results. I am still in awe of the results I have experienced. The procedure was painless. Until ThermiVa, I had come to the realization that my sex life would no longer be what it once was pre-hysterectomy. I highly recommend this procedure.*
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