Did summer sneak up on you this year? You’re not alone: With the late start to spring in much of the continental U.S., many of us have found ourselves staring at the calendar, shocked to see that June is just around the corner. Exciting though this is, if you’re still feeling the effects of winter, you might be dreading bikini weather and selfie season. Dry, flaky skin, tired eyes, and an overall droopy, weary appearance often follow the “winter blahs.”

At Gilpin Plastic Surgery, we understand that you’re in a hurry to shake off the effects of winter and start enjoying hot-weather festivities. To help you get back in the game for summer, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite quick, convenient, and comfortable cosmetic procedures:

3 Quick Procedures that Will Give You a Summer Shine

1. Botox

Botox is America’s number one nonsurgical cosmetic procedure for a reason: It’s safe, affordable, and it really works. Botox neutralizes the muscles responsible for creating crow’s feet and forehead lines, effectively eliminating the early signs of aging. That’s why it’s the go-to treatment for people in their 30s and 40s—they’re typically starting to see a few lines but don’t yet need facelift surgery.

Botox has another important advantage, though, that makes it especially relevant during summertime: Botox relaxes the muscles responsible for tensing the skin around our eyes and brows when we squint. This is important because we do a lot of squinting during the summer (to filter out some of the sun’s glare), and over time, the stress of this action creates wrinkles and lines around the eyes. By having Botox injections just before summer hits, you can stop your crow’s feet from getting significantly worse. In fact, more and more skincare experts are now recommending that Botox be used in a preventative (and not just curative) manner.

2. Microdermabrasion

What’s the number one caveat associated with most nonsurgical skin resurfacing treatments? If you’ve been reading our blog, you already know the answer: Chemical peels and laser treatments make the skin extremely sensitive to sun damage. While hats and sunscreen can keep the skin protected for short periods, we usually recommend that patients stay (mostly) indoors for at least a few days after having these treatments.

At Gilpin, we know that you probably don’t want to waste up to a week of the summer inside recovering from a peel. That’s why we offer an even less invasive alternative called microdermabrasion. Tiny crystals are used during microdermabrasion to gently abrade away dead skin cells, which causes less overall irritation and leaves more of the uppermost layer of the skin in place. Like other skin resurfacing treatments, however, it can help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, acne scars, and age spots.

You’ll still have to wear sunscreen and cover up after having this procedure, of course. Your skin just won’t be raw or especially prone to UV damage, giving you more peace of mind.

3. Dermaplaning

To enhance the results of your microdermabrasion procedure and remove unwanted facial hair, we suggest also trying an innovative nonsurgical procedure called dermaplaning. Like microdermabrasion, dermaplaning is a form of deep exfoliation that removes dead skin cells and stimulates the production of collagen. Collagen is the compound responsible for keeping our skin firm, hydrated, and youthful-looking. Instead of tiny crystals, however, a very thin bladed instrument is carefully dragged across the skin during dermaplaning. This means that all of your pesky peach fuzz and stray hairs will vanish after you have this treatment, too.

Schedule a Consultation

Advances in cosmetic medicine have made summer beautification easier than ever before. Dr. David Gilpin is an award-winning, board-certified facial plastic surgeon and a leader in facial plastic surgery in the Nashville, TN area. Dr. Gilpin performs surgeries at our accredited surgical suite for a private, welcoming experience. During a consultation, Dr. Gilpin will work with you to explore your cosmetic options and achieve your most confident self yet. If you’re ready to take the plunge and rejuvenate your look, contact Dr. Gilpin today for more information on the treatments discussed above.