[vc_row][vc_column][ultimate_heading main_heading=”Protect your skin from heat and exposure” alignment=”left” spacer=”line_only” spacer_position=”middle” line_height=”4″ line_color=”” line_width=”50″ spacer_margin=”margin-top:15px;margin-bottom:50px;” main_heading_style=”font-weight:bold;” main_heading_font_size=”desktop:26px;” main_heading_line_height=”desktop:36px;” el_class=”accent-border-color” margin_design_tab_text=””][/ultimate_heading][vc_column_text]When that scent of summer hits the air instinct pulls most of us out of our dark winter spaces to soak up some sun. While this may be great for your mood and even your vitamin D levels, it’s murder for your skin cells.
Today, even the most naive among us know a few mantras about wearing sunscreen. Unfortunately, when it comes down to our daily habit, few of us actually comply.
For sun protection during the hot summer months here are a few hard and fast rules:
- Always put sunscreen on before applying your makeup
- Use sunscreen 15-30 minutes before leaving the house; it needs time to sink in.
- Reapply sunscreen every 2-3 hours when you’re in direct sunlight
- Thoroughly apply sunscreen after swimming or excessive sweating
- Use sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30-50
- Cover your face and body with wide-brimmed hats and light clothing
- Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes
Remember all day protection is a sunscreen myth! You have to stay diligent and take your sunshine in doses. When you feel your skin getting overheated, seek out some shade or go indoors. Waterproof sunscreen can only protect for around 80 minutes, water-resistant about 40. In other words, don’t get overconfident about what a layer of lotion can do for you.
Are Sunburns Dangerous?
Studies have shown that sunburns, especially those in childhood are a significant risk factor for developing melanoma, a particularly aggressive form of skin cancer.
Sunburns are usually preventable; however, they do happen to all of us from time to time. If you find yourself nursing a bad burn try cold compresses, aloe vera, and lidocaine. Some doctors have also suggested that hyaluronic acid serums can help a sunburn heal more quickly.
When you’re ready to buy sunscreen, look for broad-spectrum lotion. You’ll want one that works against UVA and UVB rays. This is usually a mix of chemical and mineral protection.
Is My Suntan Healthy?
It pains us to admit it, but that deep summer glow is actually our skin’s best effort at self-protection. Any darkening from the sun comes from the production of melanin, our cellular skin guards. Excessive sun exposure can leave us with harsher age spots, freckles or a condition called melasma. Melasma patches are larger and darker than age spots and can also be exacerbated by hormonal imbalances.
These uneven patches of skin are known as hyperpigmentation and are one of the most common problems we treat here at Beau Visage Aesthetics. They can be successfully reduced through chemical peels, microneedling and other specialized skin care products. Still, we suggest you do what you can to prevent them with responsible skincare and sunbathing.
Every skin type is different when it comes to sun tolerance, so know your limitations and family history.
How can Wrinkle Relaxers Help me with Premature Aging
Sun damage also causes those much despised premature wrinkles to etch into our skin. In recent years aesthetic specialists have begun to introduce “Preventative Botox.” These injections are done before the skin shows lines and wrinkles, keeping us looking more youthful as we age. Before you hit the beach this summer consider a treatment at the corners of your eyes, you may just avoid deepening those crow’s feet![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
