With summer just around the corner, it’s time to prepare your skin for the season. It’s a busy time of year for dermatologist Dr. Robert Anolik, a protégé of Dr. Fredric Brandt. Here, Dr. Anolik, who counts Gwyneth Paltrow as a fan, offers a guide to the three treatments you need right now, his number one tip for beautiful skin, and the latest product he is excited about.
Do you see more patients coming in this time of year?
Yes, my schedule can be a bit hectic in the spring and summer! Once the temperature rises on the East Coast, all my patients want to book an appointment at the same time to get themselves ready for summer in the Hamptons, tropical vacations, etc… I have patients saying that they want to be able to wear tank tops, shorter skirts, and bathing suits this summer but they have age spots, dull skin, love handles, and wrinkles. So, they come in to ask how I can help them.
So, what are your top recommendations for your patients that come in with those requests?
I would say that Coolsculpting, Botox, and lasers for getting rid of sunspots would be the top three pre-summer treatments I recommend for my clients.
The end of winter or early spring is an optimal time for Coolsculpting because it takes about 3-12 weeks to see the results. Some of my patients even start a series of treatments in the fall so that they can do it a few times before beach season.
In the summer we have a greater tendency to squint because of the bright sunlight. This accentuates the appearance of deep lines and folds between the eyebrows and the crow’s feet. So, you should invest in a great pair of sunglasses! But for improvement of those lines, Botox is the most popular treatment in my office.
As far as sunspots are concerned, if last year’s sun damage is still visible on your skin, you’ll likely look very damaged once this summer hits. Brown spots develop over time from sun exposure and can often be eliminated with specific lasers, like Ruby, Yag, and Alexandrite. These are specific to pigment particles that make the spots appear.
Eliminating them just before summer will make your skin look more even and youthful. It will also prevent them from getting darker. When I treat them, it’s advisable not to get too much sun in the few weeks following to avoid complications. And in the summer, when many of my patients are on the beaches or golf courses in the Hamptons, it’s best to do this before summer.
