Keep Your Skin Healthy and Happy This Summer
As the weather heats up and the sun comes out, everyone starts to spend more time outdoors to make the most of summer. While you’re soaking in those sun rays, however, your skin is undergoing significant damage. This damage can lead to wrinkles, dryness, age spots, and even skin cancer. Since about 80% of your sun exposure occurs during the summer time, it’s especially important that you take steps to keep your skin healthy and happy.
First and foremost, go out and buy a good sunscreen. It should be a type that is both water resistant and broad spectrum so it protects against the different types of UV rays. It should also have a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Once you have a good sunscreen, start putting it on every day. Yup, every day, even on days when it’s cloudy. The sun’s rays can permeate mist, fog, and light layers of clouds; even if you can’t see the sun, it can still be hurting you. To maximize the amount of protection you get from your sunscreen, apply it at least 15-30 minutes before you leave the house and use an amount that requires you to rub it in for at least 30 seconds. Reapply your sunscreen throughout the day as you need it, which is usually every few hours.
You also need to think about protecting other more sensitive areas of your body, like your lips and ears. The skin in these areas is thinner than other parts of the body, so a sunburn here is really going to hurt. A lot of chapsticks now come with sun protection, so choose one that has an SPF 15 or higher and reapply it every couple of hours to protect your lips from sun damage. You can protect your ears with sunscreen, but also consider getting a hat to protect your ears, neck, and face. A wide brimmed hat will be your best choice since it provides shade all over your head.
Your clothing can also help protect you from the sun. You don’t need to wear long sleeves and long pants, but considering the type of clothes you wear can provide some additional barriers to the sun’s rays. Materials like unbleached cotton, high-luster polyester, and thin silk will protect your skin by absorbing or reflecting the UV rays away from you. Darker clothes will also absorb the UV rays and tightly woven fabrics will prevent the UV rays from reaching your skin.
Skin Care Consultation
Your skin is one of the most important parts of your body. It acts as a barricade against harmful agents and protects your body from injury. It keeps you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It provides you with a sense of touch so you can interact with the world. Your skin is also one of the most vulnerable to damage, especially from the sun. By taking care of your skin and utilizing proper skin protection, you can keep your skin happy and healthy this summer.
If you need more ideas or would like to know more about general skin care and maintenance, call (310) 275-2467 to schedule a skin care consultation.