Your Pre-Summer Skin Checklist: What Dr. Aboutanos Recommends
Summer will be here before you know it, and our Richmond patients are already thinking ahead to beach trips, pool days, and outdoor gatherings. While planning vacations and updating your wardrobe, it’s easy to overlook an important detail: preparing your skin for increased sun exposure and warmer weather.
Dr. Sharline Aboutanos created this pre-summer skin checklist to help you achieve your best skin before the season arrives.
Start Treatments Now for Summer Results
Timing plays an important role when it comes to planning your pre-summer skin treatments. Many effective treatments require several weeks for optimal results, and some need to be completed well before peak sun exposure. Starting now gives your skin adequate time to heal and reveal its improvements just as summer begins.
Professional treatments like laser resurfacing and chemical peels make skin temporarily more sun-sensitive during the healing process. Completing these treatments in spring allows your skin to recover before you're spending extended time outdoors. Similarly, treatments that work gradually—like a series of microneedling sessions—need time to stimulate your collagen production and show visible results.
Schedule Your Full-Body Skin Check
Before summer sun exposure increases, schedule a comprehensive skin examination with a qualified provider. This annual check allows for early detection of any concerning moles, sun damage, or other skin changes that need attention. Richmond’s sunny summers make this step particularly important for anyone who spends time outdoors.
Dr. Aboutanos recommends addressing any skin concerns identified during your examination before summer arrives. Some treatments for precancerous lesions or suspicious spots may require healing time, and completing them now prevents complications from summer sun exposure. This proactive approach protects your skin health while ensuring you can enjoy summer activities with confidence.
Address Sun Damage and Pigmentation
The warm summer months are the perfect time to reveal fresh, hydrated skin and go makeup-free. Dr. Aboutanos offers several effective options for Richmond patients seeking healthier, more even-toned skin before summer.
UltraClear Laser
UltraClear Laser uses fractionated laser technology to address accumulated sun damage, uneven texture, fine lines, and pigmentation concerns. This treatment can be customized to different intensity levels depending on your skin type and the degree of correction needed. The cold fiber laser technology provides powerful results without the extended downtime associated with traditional CO2 laser resurfacing, making it an excellent pre-summer option for busy Richmond patients.
VirtueRF Microneedling
VirtueRF Microneedling combines radiofrequency energy with controlled micro-injuries to improve skin texture, reduce pore size, and address mild pigmentation irregularities while stimulating collagen production. Most patients undergo three to four sessions spaced several weeks apart, so starting now means that results will appear just as summer begins.
Both treatments work progressively, with continued improvements developing over weeks and months as your skin produces new collagen.
Starting these treatments in spring means you will see optimal results by the time summer arrives, with skin that looks refreshed and rejuvenated.
Refresh Your Injectable Schedule
Spring offers perfect timing to refresh Botox or Daxxify treatments and address volume loss with dermal fillers. These treatments require no significant downtime.
Neurotoxins
Botox and Daxxify soften expression lines on the forehead, around the eyes, and between the brows. Getting these treatments now means the smoothing effects reach their peak just as you’re spending more time outside in social situations (and taking photos). Results typically last three to four months, so a spring refresh carries you beautifully through summer.
Facial Fillers
Dermal fillers like Juvéderm or RHA restore volume to areas like the cheeks and smooth lines around the mouth. Dr. Aboutanos uses hyaluronic acid-based fillers strategically to create natural-looking rejuvenation that enhances your features without appearing overdone. Any initial swelling from filler injections resolves within days to two weeks, making spring the ideal time for treatment before summer vacations and events.
Update Your At-Home Skincare Routine
As temperatures rise and you spend more time outdoors, your skincare routine requires adjustment. Dr. Aboutanos recommends several key changes Richmond patients should make now to prepare their skin for summer.
Switch to Lightweight Hydration. Heavy winter moisturizers may feel too occlusive in humid Richmond summers. Transition to lighter formulations containing hyaluronic acid and ceramides that provide hydration without heaviness. Your skin still needs moisture in summer—humidity doesn’t replace proper hydration—but the texture should feel comfortable in warmer weather.
Examine Your Exfoliation Routine. Gentle exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells and allows better absorption of skincare products, creating a brighter, smoother complexion. However, over-exfoliation damages your skin barrier and increases sun sensitivity. Dr. Aboutanos recommends limiting exfoliation to two to three times weekly using chemical exfoliants like gentle alpha hydroxy acids rather than harsh physical scrubs.
Evaluate Your Active Ingredients. If you use retinol or prescription retinoids, consider whether you will maintain this routine through summer. These ingredients can potentially increase sun sensitivity, requiring diligent sun protection. Some patients prefer reducing retinoid frequency during peak summer months, then resuming more aggressive treatment in fall. Dr. Aboutanos is happy to discuss your specific situation with you to determine the best approach for your skin.
Prioritize Sun Protection
No pre-summer checklist would be complete without addressing sun protection. Our sunny climate makes daily sunscreen non-negotiable year-round, but summer demands extra vigilance.
Choose the Right Sunscreen
Look for broad-spectrum protection with SPF 30 or higher. Mineral sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide work well for sensitive skin and provide immediate protection upon application. Chemical sunscreens absorb quickly and feel lighter but require 15-20 minutes before sun exposure for full effectiveness. Find a formula you genuinely enjoy using—consistent application matters more than the specific type.
Apply Properly and Reapply Often
Most people apply far too little sunscreen to achieve the labeled SPF protection. Use approximately one ounce (a shot glass worth) to cover your entire body, and don't forget commonly missed areas like ears, back of the neck, tops of feet, and hands. Reapply every two hours when outdoors, or immediately after swimming or heavy sweating.
Think Beyond Your Face
Your neck, chest, and hands show sun damage just as visibly as your face but often receive less attention in your morning routine. Extend your facial sunscreen to these areas daily, or designate a separate body sunscreen for consistent coverage. Dr. Aboutanos frequently sees patients concerned about sun damage on their chest and hands—areas that are difficult to treat and easier to protect in the first place.
Add Physical Protection
Sunscreen works best when combined with other protective measures. Wide-brimmed hats, UV-blocking sunglasses, and sun-protective clothing provide additional defense during extended outdoor time. Seek shade during peak sun intensity hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when possible.
Consider Your Treatment Timing
While many treatments work well before summer, some are better saved for fall when sun exposure naturally decreases. Dr. Aboutanos helps Richmond patients understand which procedures to schedule now versus which to postpone.
Top Pre-Summer Treatments
Good pre-summer options include:
VirtueRF microneedling
UltraClear laser at lower intensities
Botox
Daxxify
Dermal fillers
These treatments provide excellent results without requiring you to completely avoid sun exposure during healing, though sun protection remains essential. Read more about the best summer treatment in our blog, 5 Top Non-Surgical Treatments to Prep for Summer.
Treatments to Save for Fall
Treatments better saved for fall include:
Aggressive laser resurfacing at maximum intensity settings
Deep chemical peels
These treatments create significant sun sensitivity during the healing period, making fall through early spring more appropriate timing. Dr. Aboutanos discusses seasonal considerations during consultation to help you choose the best treatment schedule for your lifestyle and goals.
Schedule Your Pre-Summer Consultation
The best time to prepare your skin for summer is right now! Dr. Sharline Aboutanos would be happy to evaluate your skin, discuss your concerns, and create a personalized treatment plan that delivers optimal results by the time summer arrives. During your consultation, Dr. Aboutanos will assess your skin’s current condition, explain which treatments would benefit you most, and discuss realistic timelines for achieving your goals.
To schedule a consultation with Richmond plastic surgeon Dr. Sharline Aboutanos, call (804) 355-3410 or contact her online. Start your journey to summer-ready skin today.