Why Autumn Is the Best Time to Start Skin Treatments
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Summer is over, the evenings are drawing in, and for skin clinics that means one thing: it is the start of treatment season. Autumn and winter are the most popular times of year to start treatments like chemical peels and microneedling, and there are good reasons for that. Here is why, and how to make the most of it.
Why autumn is a good time to start
1. Less sun, less risk
Treatments that renew the skin, such as peels and microneedling, leave it more sensitive to UV light for a while afterwards. With shorter days and weaker sun, it is easier to protect your skin while it recovers. You still need daily SPF (UV reaches us all year round), but you are far less likely to be caught out by a hot, sunny day.
2. Time to deal with summer's leftovers
Even with good sun protection, summer can leave its mark: uneven tone, new pigmentation, dryness and a dull, tired look. Autumn gives you a natural point to address that before it settles in.
3. Results in time for Christmas and New Year
Many treatments work best as a course, with a few weeks between sessions. Starting in September or October means you can complete a course and see your results in time for the party season. Starting in December usually means you are still mid-course when the invitations arrive.
4. Your routine can work harder
Cooler months are a good time to introduce more active ingredients at home, such as retinol and exfoliating acids, because your skin is not also dealing with heat, sweat and strong sun. Always introduce new actives gradually, and ask us if you are unsure.
Treatments worth considering this autumn
- Chemical peels for dullness, uneven tone, pigmentation and congestion. From £65.
- Microneedling for scarring, texture, fine lines and pores. Find out more.
- Medical-grade facials to treat your skin rather than just pamper it. Find out more.
- Skin boosters for deep hydration when skin feels dry and tired. Find out more.
Not sure which is right for you? Read our guide to microneedling vs chemical peels, or start with a skin scan and we will recommend a plan.
Your autumn skincare checklist
- Keep wearing SPF every day. This is the single most important habit, especially if you are having treatments.
- Switch to a richer moisturiser as the heating goes on and the air gets drier.
- Look at your cleanser. If your skin feels tight after washing, try a gentler, creamier formula.
- Add hydration. A hyaluronic acid serum helps skin hold on to moisture.
- Be patient with new products. Give a new routine a few weeks before judging it.
We stock the same clinic-grade skincare we use in clinic. Shop the PCA Skin range, with free UK delivery on orders over £70.
Start with a skin scan
The easiest way to plan your autumn is to start with a £35 skin scan at our clinic in Hadleigh, Essex. The Visagé Pro+ images your skin under UV and polarised light, and Anna, our NHS-trained registered nurse, talks you through what it shows and builds a plan around your goals and budget.