Sun-Safe Summer Skin: What to Avoid (and What Still Works)

As summer heats up in Austin, it's worth rethinking your skincare routine — not pausing it altogether. Some treatments that work beautifully in cooler months can leave summer skin more vulnerable to sun damage, while others are perfectly safe year-round. Here's what Brooke Nichol, RN, CANS, and the team at Saving Face recommend adjusting for the season.

What to Approach With Caution This Summer

A few treatments and products call for extra care once the sun is out in full force:

• Retinol and bleaching creams (like hydroquinone) — these should be used with precaution, since they can increase sun sensitivity
• Light-based lasers such as IPL (intense pulsed light) — these target brown and red discoloration in the skin, and sun exposure afterward can interfere with results
• Ablative lasers such as Erbium or CO2 — designed to target fine lines, wrinkles, and pores, but they leave fresh, more vulnerable "new baby skin" underneath, which is more susceptible to burning. These are generally better saved for fall or winter

What's Still on the Table

The good news: plenty of effective treatments remain safe and worthwhile through the summer months.

• SkinPen microneedling — safe with proper sunscreen protection afterward. A helpful tip: vitamin C can make your sunscreen up to 50% more effective
• Facials of all kinds, including the Glass Skin Facial, a no-downtime peel series that leaves skin tight and glowing without the sun sensitivity of more aggressive treatments
• Injectables — no lotion or potion smooths skin quite like injectables do, and they remain safe in every season
• Hyper-dilute Radiesse body treatments for skin laxity, typically done as two sessions spaced 4–6 weeks apart. Downtime is minimal and results show up quickly — commonly used on arms, knees, inner thighs, stomach, and glutes
• Ultherapy — a non-invasive laser that tightens the SMAS layer of the skin for lifting and repositioning of tissue, especially effective for brows, jawlines, and necks
• Tox for hyperhidrosis — a small amount of Botox in the underarms, palms, or feet can meaningfully reduce excess sweating once the temperature climbs

Supporting Your Nervous System This Summer

Skin isn't the only thing that needs extra attention this time of year — busy summer schedules can leave your nervous system just as overstimulated as your skin is sun-exposed. Chronic stress, sleep deprivation, unresolved emotional tension, and too much caffeine can all keep your body stuck in fight-flight-or-freeze mode.

A few simple practices can help bring your body back to balance:

• Breathe with intention — slow, deep breathing is one of the fastest ways to calm a dysregulated nervous system
• Move gently — walking, stretching, yoga, or dancing all help regulate your stress response; consistency matters more than intensity
• Prioritize quality sleep — aim for at least 7 hours, with a consistent bedtime, no screens for an hour beforehand, and a cool, dark room
• Nourish your body — balanced meals with protein, healthy fats, and complex carbs, plus magnesium-rich foods like leafy greens and nuts, and omega-3s from salmon or flaxseed
• Try grounding techniques — the "5-4-3-2-1" method (naming 5 things you see, 4 you can touch, 3 you hear, 2 you smell, 1 you taste) is a quick way to bring your attention back to the present
• Stay connected — talking with trusted friends, family, or a counselor helps process emotions instead of storing tension
• Limit overstimulation — turning off notifications and taking short breaks to breathe or sit in quiet can go a long way

Making Room for What Matters

Brooke recently returned from a retreat where a shaman posed a simple but pointed question to her group: "Who here thinks they have obligations?" Every hand went up. His response — that most of what we call obligations are actually choices, and the only true obligation is to ourselves — has stuck with her since.

"Get clear on what your necessities are, and make those your obligations," she reflects. "Then your happiness will follow." For Brooke, that now means quiet mornings, fresh flowers at home, dancing until she sweats at least twice a month, and regular bodywork. She encourages everyone to identify their own necessities — and to try something new this summer, whether that's a dance class, pottery, or simply saying yes to an invitation outside your usual routine.

Ready for Sun-Safe, Season-Smart Skin?

Summer doesn't mean pausing your skincare goals — it just means choosing the right treatments at the right time. Brooke Nichol, RN, CANS, and the team at Saving Face can help you build a summer-safe plan that keeps your skin protected without putting your progress on hold.

Schedule a consultation to find out which treatments make sense for your skin this season.