As the school bells begin to ring and kids head back, millions of moms are excited to get a chance to get back to self-care. They spend the summer caring for the kids and everything else on their plate, leaving them feeling they have very little time for self-care. August is becoming the new self-care season for moms, as the kids head off to school, giving them plenty of time to prioritize themselves.
“Once the kids head back to school, it is the perfect time for moms to turn their priority to self care,” explains Dr. Brandon Richland, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Newport Beach, Calif. “This is the time to focus on you, which will help you be better ready to help care for others, too.”
There's an old saying that you can't pour from an empty cup. Moms are often faced with having to try to do that, because they are spread so thin with all the things on their to-do list. For many, self-care takes a back seat to everything else they need to do, but this can have devastating consequences. Moms who don't prioritize self-care are more prone to physical and mental health issues, including having lower self-esteem, more depression, and feeling less interested in exploring opportunities.
Gone are the days when moms were seeking perfection. Today, the new trend lies in moms wanting to look and feel their best simply. When they do, they are better able to care for others, happier, healthier, and ready to take on the challenges that life brings them. This is one of the reasons so many moms are prioritizing self-care once the kids are back to school. This is also when Dr. Richland gets a wave of women coming in for treatments that will help give them the boost in confidence that makes them feel great, whether posting family fun photos on social media, attending school functions, or meeting up with other moms for a lunch break.
As more moms find time this fall to refocus on their health, wellness, and confidence, they are exploring self-care options, ranging from skin rejuvenation to surgical restoration. Here are the top post-summer procedures that moms are having, according to Dr. Richland:
1. Skin Rehydration, Repair and Renew
Exposure to UV rays, chlorine, and heat can leave skin dry, dull, and damaged. Treatments like Hydrafacial, which deeply cleanses, exfoliates, and infuses skin with hydration, are in high demand at this time of year. For deeper skin remodeling and fine line reduction, Morpheus8 radiofrequency micro-needling is also becoming a go-to for collagen stimulation and long-term rejuvenation.
2. Surgical Restorations: The Rise of the “Modern Mommy Makeover”
More moms are choosing to address post-pregnancy body changes through personalized combinations of breast augmentation or lift, tummy tuck, and body contouring. These procedures are popular because they help women feel confident and comfortable again in their bodies. For those considering surgery, advances in non-invasive technology are enhancing recovery outcomes. Tools like Morpheus8 are now being integrated into post-op care to help minimize scarring and improve skin texture around incision sites.
3. Mental and Physical Reset
Moms are often seeking support for their energy, metabolism, and overall wellness. With August being National Wellness Month, it's a great time to speak with Dr. Richland about natural-looking surgical procedures, at-home medically supervised weight management, and more. Dr. Richland provides the solutions and advice women are seeking, helping them optimize their self-care goals, including a mental and physical reset.
"It’s an honor to help so many moms and women in general to feel their best," said Dr. Richland. "Nobody judges women more harshly than they judge themselves. If I can help them love the skin they are in, then I've succeeded, which is a win-win for everyone. When moms make their health a priority they feel better about everything they do."
Self-compassion is related to indicators of health and well-being, including positive affect, happiness, and optimism, according to research published in the Journal of Health Psychology. Despite this, they report that some women are hesitant to extend themselves compassion because they fear it will make them self-indulgent. This fear of self-compassion is associated with self-criticism, depression, and anxiety. They report that engaging in health behaviors positively impacts a mother’s health. They also point out that despite the demands of motherhood, women can become more self-compassionate by prioritizing health behaviors, and that many women who engage in health behaviors feel it makes them a better parent.
Dr. Brandon Richland is a board-certified plastic surgeon known for his commitment to natural-looking results and exceptional patient care. With practices in Fountain Valley, Woodland Hills, and Las Vegas, he offers a full spectrum of surgical and non-surgical aesthetic treatments tailored to each patient’s goals. Dr. Richland specializes in transformative mommy makeovers, including breast augmentation, lifts, reductions, tummy tucks, skin tightening, and body contouring, as well as advanced facial procedures such as facelifts, chin liposuction, and fat transfers. He also offers luxury treatments like red carpet ready Forma facials and other non-invasive solutions to help patients look and feel their best. To explore services, view before-and-after photos, and access current promotions, visit https://www.richlandmd.com
