Glam Slam: The Friday Five — Summer Skin Rehab

46-year-old Demi Moore continues to look utterly ageless.

This week, she even went so far as to refute those rampant plastic surgery rumors that continue to plague her. Whether she has had surgery or not, one thing is certain – she does have nice, smooth skin. If you didn’t baby your skin this Summer, it’s not too late to get back on track. We asked Beverly Hills Cosmetic Dermatologist Ilya Reyter, MD to share his tips to rehab skin after one long, hot Summer.

1) Sun Spots
After a long Summer, many notice new sun spots on the face and hands. I recommend starting with over the counter lightening creams containing hydroquinone 2%, such as Ambi Fade Cream. Topical retinol can boost the effectiveness of the hydroquinone. RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Daily Moisturizer has retinol combined with sunscreen, which eliminates the need to use a separate sunscreen. Of course, more intense treatments are available at the dermatologist’s office, but this is a good regimen to start at home before seeing the doctor.

2) Dry, Cracked Skin
After months of enjoying outdoor activities, it is not unusual to have the skin become dry and cracked. Restore lost moisture with nightly applications of petroleum jelly. For feet, I recommend applying petroleum jelly then putting on socks overnight. More severely dry skin requires intense hydration. Topical urea creams are very helpful in these cases, such as Nutraplus Lotion with 10% urea. This lotion can be applied overnight, also covered with a sock, for best results.

3) Eczema
Eczema flares are typical in the Summer, with itchy rashes appearing on the body. The key to controlling eczema is to use abundant moisturizer and to prevent stripping the skin of moisture. Use a moisturizing soap in the shower, such as Dove, and immediately apply a thick coat of moisturizing cream or ointment in the morning, night and immediately after bathing. My favorite moisturizers are petroleum jelly at bedtime and Eucerin cream for the morning.

4) Acne Flares
Some people notice that their facial acne flares in the Summer months. They most likely have a form of acne known as “acne rosacea”. This type of acne typically gets worse from prolonged sun exposure, resulting in red bumps on the face. Combat this condition with daily use of sunscreen – I recommend one that has zinc or titanium, such as Neutrogena Sensitive Skin sunscreen. Moisturizer is also very important when treating rosacea – I recommend a light moisturizer such as Cetaphil moisturizing lotion. Benzoyl peroxide is also quite effective for treating rosacea, either in a cream form or in a wash. Benzoyl peroxide 10% is available over the counter at almost every drug store.

5) Wrinkles
It is no secret that sun exposure can lead to wrinkles. However, many people still spend much time outdoors in the sun during the Summer months. Fortunately, we have both topical creams and treatments that are quite effective in improving the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. A favorite amongst dermatologists is the prescription cream Retin-A, which has been proven to fight wrinkles. The over-the-counter cousin of Retin-A is called retinol, which can also provide some of the benefits of Retin-A. For people that want a more serious treatment for wrinkles, I am a big fan of the Active FX fractional carbon dioxide resurfacing laser. This machine tones and tightens the skin, improves wrinkles and fine lines and improves the texture of skin. This is one of the most popular treatments I perform.