Atlanta Skin Care Essentials: 5 Secrets
We may be biased, but Atlanta is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Between the weather, the scenery, the culture and the amazing people who live here, we’ve never been more proud to call Atlanta home.
However, when you live in the South, you need a few specific tips and tricks for keeping yourself looking and feeling your best. To help your skin excel, we’ve compiled a list of five “secret” Atlanta skin care essentials to help you up your aesthetic game and put your best face forward all year round.
1. Turn down your water temperature
Although the weather doesn’t dip too low in Atlanta, it’s tempting to crank the heat up on your water temperature when you take a bath or shower. While we understand the allure of a steamy bath or shower, you’re likely doing your skin a serious disservice.
Water temperature that is too high — especially if you take hot baths or showers regularly — can negatively impact the health of your skin barrier. When your skin barrier isn’t functioning at its optimal level, it can leave the door open for a variety of issues, including moisture loss and a lack of radiance.
Turning down your water temperature a few degrees can do wonders for your skin. In addition to not leaving you as red afterward, your skin can stay as healthy and moisturized as possible.
2. Use sunscreen — even when it’s cloudy or cold outside
Many of us tend to only think about putting on sunscreen on hot, sunny days. However, the sun can be just as damaging on cloudy or cool days, making sunscreen a must, no matter the season or weather.
Look for a sunscreen with the following characteristics:
- A sun-protective factor (SPF) of 30 or above
- Broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays
- Water resistance
From there, choose a skin sunscreen that fits your needs and lifestyle. You can even find some that contain a little bit of tint, allowing them to double as sunscreen and a light foundation.
Using sunscreen manages your risk of developing skin cancer and prevents the signs of premature aging for as long as possible. Focus on adding sunscreen to your morning routine, regardless of the forecast.
3. Take advantage of available skin care treatments
One of the least-kept secrets in Atlanta is how many of us use cosmetic skin care treatments from Atlanta med spas to stay looking as young and gorgeous for as long as possible.
At Skin Pharm Atlanta, we offer a wide variety of treatments designed to help you achieve the skin of your dreams. Each of our cosmetic treatments is performed by professionals with the goal of getting you natural, never overdone results.
Below is a sampling of what we offer, but we’d also encourage you to schedule a skin care consult to discuss which of our options is the most appropriate for you.
- BBL photofacials
- Botox and Dysport
- Chemical peels
- Dermal fillers (Juvederm, Restylane, Sculptra and Skinvive)
- Gold infusion facials
- Kybella
- Microneedling
- Moxi laser treatment
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
Many of our treatments require only very minimal downtime due to redness, which means it’s easy to just pop over during your long lunch and then head back to the office. However, if you have any big events coming up — birthday parties, weddings, etc. — you may want to plan appropriately.
4. Always cleanse your skin
If you’re skipping the cleansing step in your skin care routine, it’s time to get reacquainted. While it may feel unnecessary on days you haven’t worked out, worn makeup or sweated, cleansing is crucial for removing environmental toxins and pollutants before they can get into your skin.
Air pollution has been directly tied to triggering and worsening many skin conditions — acne, atopic dermatitis, dark spots (hyperpigmentation), psoriasis, etc. Taking the time to thoroughly cleanse your skin twice daily can help remove those toxins from your skin and keep you looking your best.
Remember that cleansers, like other skin care products, should match your skin’s needs. And always use lukewarm — not hot — water.
5. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize
No matter the time of year, hydration is crucial for the skin. While you may need to adjust your moisturizer depending on your skin type and the weather, it’s essential to include one in your skin care routine all year round.
Without moisture, your skin barrier can’t function at the level it needs to keep outside pollutants out and hydration in. Over time, a lack of moisture in the skin can lead to visible changes like a loss of firmness, less radiance and more obvious fine lines and wrinkles.
If your skin is feeling extra dry, especially in the winter, it may also benefit from using a home humidifier. Humidifiers add extra moisture into the air, which can help revive dry, tired skin (and may benefit your overall health and wellness, too).
To sum everything up...
Living in Atlanta is a gift — the city is full of culture and experiences you can’t get anywhere else on Earth. Adapting your skin care routine to the specific climate and environment here is crucial, especially if you want your skin to stay looking and feeling fresh, radiant and gorgeous for as long as possible.
And remember, don’t keep these secret Atlanta skin care essentials to yourself — Skin Pharm Atlanta is here for everyone. We’d love to help you achieve your goals, so reach out today!
Peer review
This article was medically reviewed by Chelsie Rogers, PA-C, a board-certified physician assistant with 6 years of experience in cosmetic dermatology.
SOURCES:
Impact of Water Exposure and Temperature Changes on Skin Barrier Function | PubMed
