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Fall is a crucial window for a beauty renewal because our skin, hair and body are no longer exposed to the same ultraviolet light as during the summer.
So what should you consider for your fall update? BETHAN KING asks experts which treatments are really worth trying…
FADING DARK SPOTS
Do you have dark spots or patches of pigmentation (melasma) from the summer sun?
“Fall is the best time to restore your skin after summer by introducing a skin care routine that contains active ingredients that brighten the complexion,” says dermatologist Dr. Shereene Idriss (dridriss.com).
She recommends products containing niacinamide, vitamin C, and tranexamic, glycolic, or lactic acids, all of which help fade existing pigmentation and prevent discoloration and future dark spots. Don’t forget to use SPF all year round; If you don’t, your skin care efforts will be useless because UV exposure triggers pigmentation.
La Roche Posay Mela B3 Serum is formulated to target dark spots (£48, boots.com).
Fall is a crucial window for a beauty renewal because our skin, hair and body are no longer exposed to the same ultraviolet light as during the summer.
GET NEW EYEBROWS
Semi-permanent makeup, such as eyebrow microblading, lip blush, or semi-permanent eyeliner, is best applied once the mercury has dropped.
“Autumn is the perfect time for these treatments as the sun’s intensity is lower, which reduces the risk of pigment fading due to UV exposure,” explains permanent makeup artist Karen Betts (karenbetts. com). This means they will perform better and last longer during the colder months.
PERFECT SHADOW
If you’ve been toying with the idea of having your hair darker or shorter (Victoria Beckham’s long bob is considered fall’s most sought-after style), now is the time. Andrea Marino, founder of AMA Hair Atelier in Chelsea (amaconcept.co.uk), says: “Hair dyed during autumn tends to last longer than in summer because it is less likely to be exposed to the factors that cause color fading. ; think of UV rays.” rays, chlorine and salt water.
“Long bobs are in fashion,” she adds. “Choosing this cut helps seal the hair cuticles and eliminate dry ends after the summer, while preserving a good amount of length.”
LASER HAIR REMOVAL
You might think that hair removal is unnecessary. Don’t we all wear sweaters and 60 denier socks?
But if you’re considering a more permanent solution than shaving or waxing, it’s best to get laser hair removal now. This is because it takes several months of treatments to see full results and you can’t do that when you have a tan, whether real or fake.
“The intense pulsed light (IPL) laser used can be attracted to the brown pigment in the skin and cause burns or dark spots,” explains aesthetic specialist Natali Kelly, who has a clinic in Chelsea (natalikelly.com).
FACE THE FINE LINES
If you are worried about wrinkles and are thinking about trying vitamin A, now is the time.
MediK8 Crystal Retina 3
‘Certain products with vitamin A can cause sensitivity to the sun. Starting your routine in the fall, when you have less UV exposure, gives your skin a chance to get used to it without taking that risk,” explains Dr. Ahmed El Muntasar, aesthetic doctor and general practitioner (theaestheticsdoctor.com).
‘There are three types of vitamin A: retinol, retinal and retinaldehyde. I’m a big fan of retinal products.
Retinal is known to act quickly on wrinkles and can be used in a lower concentration than retinol to achieve similar smoothing results.
It is important to choose a good quality formulation, such as MediK8 Crystal Retinal 3 (£45, boots.com).
All products with vitamin A have the potential to cause sun sensitivity, so never skip SPF, even in winter.
Vitamin A should only be used when fine lines or wrinkles begin to appear, between ages 20 and 30 and older.
TIGHTEN LOOSE SKIN
If you are considering a more serious intervention, a non-surgical treatment called Exion Body can tighten sagging skin around your knees or orange peel skin on your thighs. It combines ultrasound and radiofrequency, using a handheld device that heats target areas to 43 degrees.
This helps break down fat deposits which the body can then eliminate naturally. At the same time it triggers the production of collagen and elastin that help improve the texture and tone of the skin.
So what should you consider for your fall update? We asked experts for the best treatments
The treatment is best suited for people with lax skin and small but stubborn fat pads that don’t move in the gym.
Natali Kelly offers the treatment at her clinic (from £450, natalikelly.com). She says: “Excessive heat always carries the risk of burning, so it is advisable that this treatment not be performed on skin that is already sunburned or on skin that will be exposed to the sun immediately afterwards.”
Therefore, the shorter, darker days of autumn are ideal conditions. You may need up to six sessions to see results next summer.
REVERSE HAIR LOSS
According to hair loss expert Dr. Marco Nicoloso, director of the Ouroynx clinic (ouronyx.com), autumn is the time when some women notice changes in their hair, and research shows that hair is naturally thicker. prone to falling this time of year.
‘Seasonal hair loss can peak after the summer months. This is because human hair growth follows a cyclical pattern influenced by seasonal changes.
‘In summer, longer daylight hours and more sun exposure can stimulate the scalp and improve circulation, promoting hair growth. In autumn, with less UV rays, hair stops growing as much and naturally begins to fall in greater volumes than during the summer,” he explains.
Seasonal hair loss is usually temporary. But if you’ve noticed permanent hair loss and are considering a more drastic solution, this is also the best time of year for a hair transplant.
“The warmer climate reduces the risk of excessive sweating or sun exposure, both of which can irritate the healing scalp after treatment,” explains Dr. Nicoloso. After a procedure, you will need to avoid direct sunlight for several weeks, which is easier this time of year.
