Dealing with Post-Summer Skin Damage? Here Are Your Options
Summer in Richmond delivered plenty of sunshine and outdoor fun. Now that September's here, you might be noticing some unexpected changes in your skin. If you're seeing new dark spots, uneven skin tone, or noticing your skin looks a bit rougher than it did back when you were preparing for summer in May, the good news is that fall is actually the perfect time to address these concerns and get your skin back to looking its best.
Here, Richmond plastic surgeon Dr. Sharline Aboutanos walks you through the most effective treatments to reverse summer skin damage and explains why now is the ideal time to start your skin recovery journey.
Why fall is prime time for skin repair
Many of Dr. Aboutanos' Richmond patients schedule their most transformative skin treatments and surgeries between September and March. Cooler weather means less sun exposure, which is crucial for optimal healing after treatments leave your skin more vulnerable. Plus, starting your skin rejuvenation routine now gives you plenty of time to see dramatic results before next summer's activities begin.
Your skin has also had months to accumulate damage, and those effects are most visible as your summer tan starts to fade and reveals underlying pigmentation issues and texture changes that may have been masked by a darker skin tone.
The most common types of summer skin damage Dr. Aboutanos sees
Before discussing sun damage solutions, let's identify what you’re dealing with. Most patients come to Dr. Aboutanos with one or more of these concerns:
Hyperpigmentation and dark spots: Those brown patches and freckles that seemed to multiply over the summer are often the result of melanin production triggered by UV exposure.
Uneven skin tone: Blotchy areas where some parts of your face appear darker or lighter than others, creating an overall uneven complexion.
Rough skin texture: Sun damage breaks down collagen and elastin, leading to a rougher, less smooth skin surface.
Fine lines and wrinkles: UV rays accelerate the aging process, and you might notice new expression lines or deeper existing ones.
Your treatment options: from gentle to transformative
Dr. Aboutanos offers sun damage treatment options depending on your personal comfort level and timeline. Here's how she typically approaches post-summer skin repair:
For immediate glow with minimal downtime: UltraClear Laser
UltraClear laser skin rejuvenation is Dr. Aboutanos' go-to recommendation for patients who want to see improvements quickly without taking time off work. This cold fiber laser technology targets sun damage at the optimal wavelength while being gentle enough for all skin types.
What makes UltraClear special is its versatility. Dr. Aboutanos can adjust the treatment intensity based on your specific concerns:
Clear Mode gently addresses mild sun damage and gives you quick improvements with virtually no discomfort or downtime.
Clear+ Mode treats moderate pigmentation, sun damage, discoloration, and fine lines with just a day or two of mild redness.
Ultra Mode provides deeper rejuvenation for more significant damage, as well as fine lines, deep wrinkles, and scars.
UltraClear Mode combines Clear+ Mode and Ultra Mode for maximum results.
Most of her patients see noticeable improvements within a week, and the results continue to develop as your skin produces new, stronger collagen and elastin over the following months.
For comprehensive skin renewal: Microneedling treatments
When patients want to address multiple concerns at once—sun damage, uneven texture, enlarged pores, and mild scarring—Dr. Aboutanos offers both traditional microneedling and VirtueRF microneedling options.
Traditional microneedling uses tiny needles to create controlled micro-channels in your skin, stimulating your body's natural collagen production and cell turnover. This gentle approach is effective for improving overall skin texture and tone, reducing fine lines, softening acne scarring, and addressing mild pigmentation concerns with minimal downtime.
VirtueRF microneedling combines the benefits of traditional microneedling with radiofrequency energy delivered deep into the dermis. The added thermal energy can enhance collagen and elastin production and provide more noticeable improvements in skin texture, tone, and mild skin laxity. This option may be particularly beneficial for patients with more significant sun damage or stubborn pigmentation concerns.
Dr. Aboutanos has been using VirtueRF microneedling since 2021, making her one of the most experienced users of VirtueRF in Richmond, VA. As a physician, she is able to use all the settings on the device to address not only the face, but also the body. VirtueRF can also be performed on the neck and décolleté. To further boost your VirtueRF results, Dr. Aboutanos may recommend adding the UltraClear laser to your treatment.
Dr. Aboutanos typically recommends a series of treatments for optimal results, with the specific number and type of sessions tailored to your individual skin concerns and goals. Both options can help restore that natural radiance that comes from healthy collagen production, with results continuing to develop over several months.
During your consultation, Dr. Aboutanos will assess your specific type and level of sun damage to recommend the microneedling approach that would be most suitable for achieving your desired results.
For dramatic transformation: CO2RE Laser Resurfacing
If summers have left you with significant sun damage, such as deep pigmentation, rough texture, or very noticeable fine lines, CO2RE laser resurfacing might be your best option. This fractional CO2 laser removes damaged outer layers of skin while stimulating deep collagen remodeling.
Keep in mind this treatment does require about a week of downtime with peeling and swelling, but the results can be truly transformative. Laser resurfacing is a procedure that can be combined with facelift, necklift or eyelid surgery; patients often tell Dr. Aboutanos they can't believe how much younger and healthier their skin looks after healing is complete.
Supporting your skin recovery at home
Professional treatments provide the foundation for reversing sun damage, but your at-home routine plays a crucial role in maintaining and extending your results. Dr. Aboutanos always recommends upgrading to physician-only skincare products that contain higher concentrations of proven ingredients like:
Vitamin C to brighten and protect against future damage
Retinoids to accelerate cell turnover and smooth texture
Kojic acid to fade existing dark spots
Broad-spectrum SPF to prevent new damage (yes, even in fall and winter!)
The most important step? Daily sun protection
Dr. Aboutanos can help reduce existing sun damage, but if you're not protecting your skin daily, you'll continue accumulating new damage. Make SPF 30 or higher a non-negotiable part of your morning routine, regardless of the weather or season.
Creating your personalized sun damage treatment plan
Every patient's skin is different, and the summer damage you're dealing with is unique to your lifestyle, skin type, and sun exposure patterns.
Some patients benefit from a single, more intensive treatment, while others prefer a series of gentler procedures. The key is creating a plan that fits your lifestyle and delivers the results you want to see. Dr. Aboutanos will explain all of your treatment options and what you can expect from the procedure and results to help you decide.
Too much sun this summer? Start fresh this fall
Dr. Aboutanos would be happy to help you create a personalized plan to address your post-summer skin concerns and get you feeling confident in your skin again. Call her Richmond office at (804) 355-3410 or contact her online to schedule your consultation.