Dr. Tahl Humes is a board-certified physician and an international expert in aesthetic and anti-aging medicine. Her expertise includes advanced injectables, aesthetic lasers, skin tightening technologies, non-invasive body contouring, wellness, and skincare. She is known for her expertise in combining lasers and injectables for total facial rejuvenation. Dr. Humes is the founder of VITAHL Medical Aesthetics, a leading cosmetic medicine practice that opened in Denver in 2005. VITAHL has since expanded to include multiple offices across the country and has become a preceptor site for physicians.

Haute Beauty expert Dr. Tahl Humes suggests treatments along with at-home tips to successfully prep your skin for the summer.

Photo Credit: ShutterstockHB: What treatments do you recommend doing prior to summer?

• Who wants to worry about shaving if that last-minute pool party invite comes in? Laser hair removal will help you get your bathing suit ready. Start now while the skin is paler. Usually, six to 12 treatments do the trick, with six to eight weeks between appointments.

• Clear skin means less makeup in the hot summer months…yes please! VITAHL suggests IPL, Intense Pulsed Light, and chemical peels to treat sunspots and visible signs of aging. While the chemical peel uses a medicated solution to reveal all over flawless skin, IPL uses light therapy to minimize or eliminate age spots and sun damage. Both treatments can take a couple of sessions to get ideal results.

• Get those gams ready for shorts! Laser Vein Therapy eliminates those tiny spider and reticular (those blue ropy veins usually on the back of the legs and knees). While the treatment is almost painless, there can be some bruising with this treatment. The time to do it is when we are still wearing pants and tights.

• Say yes to fewer wrinkles! RF Microneedling is a great treatment for wrinkle reduction and overall anti-aging. Results can include improved texture and firmness, as well as a reduction in scars, pore size, and stretch marks.

• Kiss that winter skin goodbye with Laser Genesis. Laser Genesis is used to treat texture, redness, and overall skin health.

HB: Who is a good candidate?

• Laser Hair Removal can be used on all skin types, especially the ones who don’t want to kick the razor to the curb!

• Lighter skin patients tend to respond to IPL more.

• VITAHL offers tailored chemical peels for all skin types.

• RF microneedling is beneficial for most skin types.

• All skin types can benefit from Laser Genesis.

Photo Credit: ShutterstockHB: Is there downtime after these treatments?

• Expect minimal downtime post-Laser Hair Removal. Redness in the treated area may last for up to 24 hours and try to stay out of the sun for a few days.

• After an IPL treatment, brown spots darken and flake off. This usually takes about 10 days.

• Most people experience flaking and/or peeling for three to five days after a chemical peel.

• RF microneedling offers minimal downtime and redness for 24 to 48 hours.

• Enjoy no downtime after Laser Genesis. The treated area will look rosy after treatment for about an hour.

HB: What at-home tips can help prep your skin for the summer?

• Be sure to use good, medical-grade skincare products.

• Exfoliate for cell turnover. Active Serum by iS Clinical is VITAHL’s product of choice for this.

• Use Vitamin C to fight free radicals. VITAHL recommends ProHeal Serum by iS Clinical.