In summer we tend to want skin that is more beautiful, more radiant, and with that fresh-faced glow that allows us to wear less makeup and opt for lighter routines. However, it is also one of those times when the face can look more dull, dehydrated or fatigued. The sun, heat, chlorine, sea salt, air conditioning and shifts in pace directly affect the skin barrier and can cause the skin to lose comfort, suppleness and radiance.
«The skin usually needs above all hydration, comfort and protection. With the heat, sun, pool chlorine, sea salt and air conditioning, it is very common for it to dehydrate faster than normal. You notice it easily: the skin feels tight, loses luminosity, looks dull and the face appears more tired», explains Miriam Iriondo, Spa Manager of La Zambra. A idea on which Vanessa Herrera, surgeon and specialist in aesthetic medicine and anti-aging at ZEM Wellness Clinic Altea also insists: “During the summer the skin is exposed to multiple aggressions: ultraviolet radiation, high temperatures, salt, chlorine, pollution and water loss through sweating.”
Although when we talk about glow we think of immediate luminosity, the base of a beautiful skin in summer is not only the superficial shine, but the skin quality. A dehydrated skin reflects light worse, marks texture more, looks more tired and tolerates sun exposure, heat or temperature changes less well.
«The true radiant skin is a healthy skin. Hydration constitutes the base on which luminosity, firmness and a uniform texture are built», explains Herrera. Therefore, the most recommended treatments in this period are not necessarily the most aggressive, but those that help deeply hydrate, reinforce the skin barrier, provide antioxidants and stimulate cellular regeneration without causing excessive inflammation.
From La Zambra they agree that in summer “facial treatments that work hydration in depth and provide immediate light” function especially well. In other words, protocols that restore suppleness, soften texture and help the face look more rested without needing to resort to very invasive procedures.
The facial treatments recommended by experts for summer
In the hot months, specialists usually prioritize treatments that improve skin quality without increasing the risk of spots or sensitization. «We recommend treatments that improve skin quality without generating excessive inflammation or increasing the risk of hyperpigmentation», explains Vanessa Herrera.
Among her favorite protocols they highlight organic facial treatments, Cellcosmet cellular treatments, personalized facial mesotherapy with vitamins, amino acids, hyaluronic acid and antioxidants, and regenerative therapies such as exosomes, polynucleotides and platelet-rich plasma. «They stimulate cellular repair and significantly improve skin quality», notes the specialist.
What skin treatments to do in the summer.
It also recommends photobiodynamic therapy, a technology that helps stimulate cellular activity, promote tissue regeneration and boost radiance without recovery time. «The aim is not to transform the skin, but to help it function better so that it reflects health, vitality and well-being», summarizes Herrera.
The immediate glow effect: hydration, massage and radiance
When a quick result is sought before an event, a dinner or the holidays, the most effective treatments usually combine several actions: deep hydration, facial massage, drainage, gentle exfoliation and illuminating actives.
«We have facial treatments that combine an extra hydration thanks to hyaluronic acid, remodeling facial massage with a lifting effect and exfoliations that provide luminosity and that immediate glow that leaves the skin radiant», explains Iriondo. At La Zambra they work with protocols from brands such as Natura Bissé, Anne Semonin and Valmont, which allow personalizing each treatment according to the skin’s needs at that moment.
A skin cared for in the summer.
Among the rituals they recommend for summer, Iriondo highlights the Citrus treatment from Natura Bissé, “an antioxidant that provides light and helps fight the free radicals produced by the sun,” and NB Ceutical, designed for sensitive or sensitized skin after sun exposure, as it helps recover comfort and calm the skin. In Valmont’s case, she points to Hydration of the Bisses, a ritual focused on intensive hydration and revitalization.
When to have a treatment before vacations
Although there are protocols that provide immediate luminosity, if the goal is to prepare the skin for a trip, a wedding or an important event, the ideal is not to leave it to the last moment. «Ideal preparation begins several weeks before», explains Herrera. In her view, she recommends combining deep cleansing, organic facial treatments, Cellcosmet cellular therapy and revitalizing mesotherapy to improve hydration, texture and luminosity.
«Ideally plan the treatments three to four weeks before a trip or important event. This window allows the skin to activate its natural regeneration processes, incorporate the benefits of the treatments and reach its best version progressively and naturally», adds the expert.
If deeper regeneration is sought, exosomes, polynucleotides or PRP can be incorporated, always evaluating the skin’s condition and the patient’s lifestyle. The key, according to the experts, is not to seek an artificial change, but a fresh, luminous and natural skin.
What treatments to avoid if you’re going to be in the sun
In summer it’s not so much about forbidding treatments as about choosing well. There are procedures that can be very effective at other times of the year, but require more caution when sun exposure is intense.
«Rather than talking about forbidden treatments, we prefer to talk about a proper selection of the treatment according to each patient’s lifestyle and degree of sun exposure», explains Herrera. Still, she warns that deep chemical peels, certain ablative lasers or procedures that generate intense inflammation can increase the risk of hyperpigmentation if not accompanied by strict sun protection.
Therefore, during the summer, priority is given to hydrating, regenerative and bio-stimulating treatments, which strengthen the skin without compromising its protective barrier. And always with one essential condition: daily photoprotection.
The most common summer mistake: forgetting sun protection
No facial treatment can compensate for poor sun protection. In fact, this is one of the mistakes that can most “dim” the skin in summer, promote dark spots, accelerate skin aging and undo the work done throughout the year. «Undoubtedly, not using sunscreen at least SPF 30 every 90 minutes or every two hours can destroy the work of the entire year on your skin. And it’s always highly advisable to hydrate frequently», warns Iriondo.
Herrera agrees: «Sun protection remains the most effective anti-aging treatment that exists and no medical-aesthetic procedure can compensate for the effects of accumulated sun damage». Therefore, after any treatment, the basic routine should include broad-spectrum photoprotection, internal and external hydration, antioxidants and formulations suited to the skin’s real needs.
Radiant skin does not depend only on active ingredients and technology. Rest, stress, diet and overall well-being also influence it. In summer, routine changes, heat, travel, poorer sleep or spending more time in the sun can make the face look more tired.
«Beyond the treatment itself, the full spa experience influences it a lot. Rest, massage and water circuits are directly noticeable on the skin: the face relaxes, circulation improves and the skin looks more rested», explains Iriondo.
The expert adds that anything that helps lower cortisol levels can improve skin quality, since skin tends to reflect the effects of high and prolonged stress. That’s why complete rituals work so well in summer: they not only treat the skin, they also help to disconnect, and that is reflected on the face.
During the hot months, the body’s skin is also more exposed. Dryness, fluid retention, irregular texture, lack of firmness or a sense of tired legs are some of the most common concerns. In this sense, body treatments can help improve skin quality, boost circulation and promote a feeling of lightness.
From ZEM Wellness Clinic Altea they highlight treatments such as Icoone, which stimulates microcirculation and promotes drainage of fluids; Exion Body, aimed at improving firmness and tissue quality through advanced radiofrequency; INDIBA body, useful for improving circulation and relieving the feeling of tired legs; and EMSculpt, which helps strengthen musculature and improve body contour in a non-invasive way.
To these protocols can be added medical pressotherapy and lymphatic drainage massages, especially beneficial in summer to combat fluid retention. That said, experts remind that the best results come when they are combined with hydration, movement, proper nutrition and healthy habits.
After a treatment, the at-home routine is key to maintaining the results. It doesn’t have to be complicated, but it should be consistent. Daily photoprotection, hydration, antioxidants and fresh textures are usually the core pillars of an effective summer routine.
