With October comes the moment to take stock of the effects of summer on the skin. The tan begins to fade and, with it, some of the traces left by the months of sun become more visible: spots, lack of luminosity, dehydration, irregular texture or loss of firmness. Precisely for this reason, autumn is one of the best times to take care of yourself. Sun exposure is lower and we are no longer subjected to the same level of radiation, which allows us to address these alterations more calmly and gradually recover the skin’s quality.
It is the opportunity to treat spots, stimulate collagen, improve texture or restore to the complexion that luminous look it had before summer. The idea is not to erase the holidays, but to repair and care for their consequences with specific treatments now that the skin is calmer. To know which are the best options and the most recommended in this season, we have consulted several beauty and aesthetic medicine authorities. Experts confirm that this return to routine is reflected in a rise in the number of consultations and requests for appointments: visits to the clinic and demand for in-clinic treatments increase. A tune-up that, according to specialists, becomes one of patients’ priorities at this time of year.
1. Hydration and the Good-Face Effect: Platelet-Rich Plasma
Platelet-rich plasma is one of the options recommended by dermatologist Natalia Jiménez to restore a good complexion and improve skin quality: “It’s a treatment I love for the return from summer because it helps to recover hydration.” In this technique the patient’s own blood is used: a small draw is performed and, by centrifugation, the platelets are separated, which are then injected into the skin to release growth factors and stimulate collagen production. “It’s a 100% autologous mesotherapy, so there are no allergies or rejections,” says the dermatologist. In addition, it can be combined with other procedures such as laser. “We usually perform it three or four times a year,” notes Jiménez. The expert warns that it is contraindicated in people with low platelet levels or certain uncontrolled hematological disorders.
2. Stains and Pigmentation
Spots become more evident again and it is one of the major concerns in autumn. “Sun exposure activates melanocytes and increases melanin production, something that can intensify disorders such as melasma,” explains Dr. Natividad Cano. To treat the pigment, the specialist recommends using intense pulsed light, which acts on the spots to promote their gradual disappearance, and picosecond laser, more specific and able to act on pigment in different layers of the skin. “With this latter technique we will manage to deactivate and remove pigment from the superficial, middle and deep layers of the skin,” the expert notes. Treatments can be combined with a renewal and cleansing routine. In this regard, Cano recommends resuming nightly retinol if it has been stopped during the months of greater sun exposure.
3. Acne, Pores and Uneven Texture
If when the new season arrives you notice the skin irregular, pores more visible, acne marks or small expression lines, microneedling, also known as Dermapen, can be a good option. It is a treatment that helps improve texture and skin quality by stimulating its own repair mechanisms. “Microneedling is a treatment that uses small needles to create controlled micro-injuries in the skin. These activate the natural repair response of the body, gently stimulating collagen and elastin production,” explains Dr. Rita Sêco. “It is a very versatile treatment, with results that appear progressively without harming the surface of the skin, which allows normal life after the treatment,” adds the doctor. However, she warns that it is not recommended if there is an active infection, acute inflammatory acne, or rosacea.
4. Fluid Retention and Cellulite
At this time of year it is also common to notice the body a bit more bloated or heavy, especially the legs. To regain a sense of lightness, pressotherapy can be a good ally. “This treatment stimulates lymphatic drainage and toxin elimination, reduces swelling, improves venous circulation and provides a feeling of lightness,” explains Cristina López Mejía, founder and CEO of Templa Medical. The technique uses air pressure to improve blood and lymphatic circulation and help reduce fluid retention and cellulite. “It is performed using a pneumatic suit that compresses,” she clarifies.
4. Regeneration and Skin Quality
Dr. Mar Mira, an expert in low-impact aesthetic medicine, explains that one of the best strategies is to work on skin quality with a regenerative approach. “Collagen biostimulators help to activate the body’s own collagen production, promoting recovery of firmness, elasticity and skin quality,” she states. The goal is to accompany the skin in its regeneration process. “The treatment begins with a diagnosis that evaluates the skin’s condition, the degree of photoaging, and sagging. Then the most suitable biostimulator is selected and a personalized protocol is designed,” she explains.
5. Localized Body Fat
Carmen Navarro, the aesthetician and founder of her own centers, proposes avoiding obsession with the scale and looking at other indicators: swelling, loss of silhouette definition, or localized fat. “Sometimes we just feel more bloated or notice that we have lost tone. A good body diagnosis lets us know what we must work on,” she explains. The Adipologie treatment is one of the best options to address localized fat and work on body remodeling. “The goal is not to slim down generally, but to work on specific areas and recover a more defined silhouette,” Navarro emphasizes.
