Living Beautifully & Looking Ahead

Meet the Expert: Dana Perdue
As national director of education, Dana Perdue oversees the Inspiration Through Education program for CosMedix, supplying skin care professionals throughout the United States with accurate, in-depth information on product dynamics, emerging technologies and industry advances. Before joining the CosMedix team, Perdue spent over a decade working for leading plastic surgeons and dermatologists as a dermatological nurse and skin care specialist.

When it comes to the sunny summer months, UV prevention takes center stage. Words like “SPF,” “broad spectrum” and “physical blocker” pepper the season’s vocabulary, and all thoughts turn to keeping sun-soaked skin safe and beautiful. While the time is right to shape up and show off your body, summer is also the perfect time to start thinking seriously about fall’s professional skin treatments. CosMedix National Director of Education Dana Perdue answers some important questions on preparing the skin for fall peels and baring your best body ever this summer.

Q: How can I shape up my skin for a more beautiful body this summer?

A: Exposing a better body has never been easier thanks to the cutting-edge technology in CosMedix’s Body Revolution Kit. Products in this kit give us a non-surgical option for tackling body-specific conditions like cellulite, stretch marks and rough, uneven texture. Using chirally correct, medical-strength formulations typically reserved for the face, the Body Revolution system safely absorbs into the body to complement patient treatment programs and produce an inside-out change.

Q: When should I start thinking about prepping for fall peels? Are there any extra steps I can take in advance?

A: While chemical peels are not contraindicated in the summer, they are not recommended for all clients due to lifestyle choices that often include increased sun exposure. After a thorough consultation and skin analysis, your aesthetician will determine what the best treatment options are for your skin. As a rule of thumb, clients who are appropriate candidates for peels during the summer months will prep longer, use a skin brightener like CosMedix’s Lightning serum to prevent melanocyte bunching and be advised to regularly apply a chemical-free sunscreen like Serious Protection to protect the skin from the elements. For those who are not candidates for a medium-depth peel, there are many peels that are safe and appropriate for summer use, such as the Today’s Peels series by CosMedix, which are designed to refresh and exfoliate the skin without prior preparation.

Q: Can lifestyle changes have any effect on body conditions?

A: Lifestyle choices and changes can dramatically affect the body. Poor diet, lack of exercise, weight gain, smoking and excess alcohol consumption can contribute to a variety of health conditions as well as to dull, sallow skin. Your skin, being the largest organ in your body, is directly affected by your diet. By removing toxins and bringing balance to your diet, you can help restore a healthy glow to your skin.