September is National Skin Care Awareness Month, and the timing couldn’t be more appropriate. Summer skin care issues are very common and can put a damper on what is supposed to be the most fun season of the year. The start of fall can serve as a perfect time to refocus on skin care, take stock of your skin care routine and think about the best ways to improve your overall skin health. The board-certified dermatologists, physicians assistants, and licensed medical estheticians here at Dermatology Associates of Atlanta wanted to help by providing a few simple skin care tips for anyone trying to do right by their skin this September and beyond.

Tip #1: Identify & Understand Your Skin Type

One of the best things that a person can do in order to take care of their skin over time is to better understand their skin. More specifically, identifying what type of skin they have. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), classifies five primary skin types: oily, dry, normal, combination, and sensitive. Having this knowledge can be incredibly helpful for making informed decisions about the specialized care that your skin needs to look and feel its best. Here at Dermatology Associates of Atlanta, we offer over 100 different skin care products in order to provide options for every skin type.

Tip #2: Keep Using Your Sunscreen

Just because summer is over doesn’t mean that you should put away your sunscreen. Preventive skin care is a year-round effort and sunscreen is a major part of that. Despite shorter days and cooler temperatures, the sun’s UV rays can still damage your skin during the fall (and winter). Continuing to wear broad-spectrum sunblock (minimum 30 SPF) through the rest of the year can help protect your skin all year long.

Tip #3: Keep An Eye Out For Anything Irregular

After a long, hot summer it’s important to be proactive with your skin care maintenance. This includes performing self-exams, receiving annual skin cancer screenings, and speaking to your dermatologist ASAP if you notice anything new on your skin. Our laser center specializes in treating skin cancers, precancers, and cosmetic issues like brown spots, red spots, and other common skin issues.

Tip #4: Leave Your Skin Care Treatments to the Professionals

One recent trend we like to warn people against is the urge to attempt to perform skin care treatments on themselves at home. Largely driven by social media and influencer culture, we’ve seen everything from people attempting to use microneedling devices on their own skin, to self- injecting themselves with fillers, or even trying DIY laser hair removal systems. This can lead to injury, adverse reactions, and other potential harmful effects; not to mention less than subpar aesthetic results. While we understand the appeal of such convenience and potential cost-cutting, the risk simply isn’t worth it.

We hope everyone reading this takes these words to heart and uses this time to be more proactive about the health and wellness of their skin. For more information contact Dermatology Associates of Atlanta to schedule an appointment today. You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more skin care tips and practice updates.