Well, we hope you’ve enjoyed every second of it: lazy
Saturdays basking on the beach, long lunches on your favorite outdoor patio,
Sunday morning jogs by the Charles. And we won’t knock that “healthy glow” of
yours, but this New England summer sun has, no doubt, done a number on your
skin. As temps begin to drop and we all shuffle back inside, now is the time to
do damage control. Read on for our recommendations (and some great deals!). And
next time, WEAR MORE SUNSCREEN!
For the Spa Virgin
Not the type to pony up for more than the obligatory haircut
and the only-when-your-best-friend-makes-you mani-pedi? We’ll make it easy on
you: head to Bella Santé (38 Newbury Street, Boston,
617.424.9930) for the Benefit Peel ($165). The treatment uses vitamin C
and L-Retinol A to exfoliate and help restore skin’s natural glow; it’s perfect
for newbies and suitable for all skin types. Now through November, your second
peel in a series is 50 percent off. And next time you’re in your favorite
stylist’s chair — if you’re already there, you might as well splurge — Melissa
Gullotti of I Soci Salon (8 Newbury Street, 3rd Floor,
Boston, 617.867.9484) suggests the salon’s Kerastase Double Reconstruction ($55),
formulated for clients with weakened or damaged hair; it also provides
protection against future sun exposure.
For the Botox Beauties
There’s little you won’t allow your dermatologist to inject/prescribe/exfoliate,
so you might as well skip right ahead to the medi-spa for these purposes, too. SLEEK
MedSpa (228 Newbury Street, Boston, 617.892.4212) offers a variety
of skin-improving treatments, including chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and
photo facials ($100 to $475), all customized for the individual by strength and
type. The brand also just debuted a new take-home line called
SLEEKskin; we recommend the Glow ($38.95) cleanser,
which uses green tea, Vitamin C, and lactic acid to turn over new skin cells,
followed up with the Boost ($38.95) toner and Restore
($72.95) lotion for rejuvenated, regenerated skin. Of course, if it’s an even
more intensive treatment you want, go for the ultimate with the new-this-month
Jessner Peel ($400 to $800), which removes unwanted skin
pigmentation along with the fine lines and wrinkles associated with long-term
sun damage.
For the Multi-tasker
Your free time is precious now that summer Fridays are long
gone, so pair your spa visit with your gym time at spots like The
Sports
Club/LA (4 Avery Street, Boston, 617.375.8200) and Chuan
Body + Soul Boston (The Langham Hotel, 250 Franklin Street, Boston,
617.451.1900). The latter just launched a SkinCeuticals Regenerating Facial
($110), which boosts circulation and provides hydration for stressed skin. This
month and next, SC/LA is running a special on its Autumn Aspirations
Facial ($99/members, $110/nonmembers; prices reflect a 30 percent
discount). The treatment includes a detoxifying clay mask and a seasonally
on-point apple moisturizer — just the drink that thirsty, sun-damaged skin
needs.
For the DIY Diva
Of course, if you’d rather take matters into your own hands,
a few of our favorite brands have dreamed up some great new at-home products
for fall. This month, Kinerase is launching a full-on PhotoFacials
Sun Damage Reversal System ($100) at Nordstrom
(Natick Collection, 290 Speen Street, Natick, 508.318.2600). Made from
doctor’s-office-quality ingredients, this three-step program includes an exfoliating
cleanser, plus specially-formulated day and night moisturizers. Then there’s Brighter
by Nature Tone Correcting Serum ($39.50), the perfect fix for
nature-girl types, available at Origins> (8 Brattle Street, Cambridge, 617.868.8090), while Shu
Uemura (130 Newbury Street, Boston, 617.247.3500) stocks White
Recovery Ex+ Instant Spot Brightener ($45) for more targeted
lightening. (The latter works wonders as an under-eye insta-hangover-fix, too.)
