Enjoy Summer While Protecting Skin

It is summertime and chances are you have already arranged beach visits and pool time or holiday hikes. But do you have a plan for keeping your skin safe while you are outdoors taking in the sun? Here’s how you can enjoy summer while protecting your skin.

Stay Out of the Sun When It Is Very Hot

The best way to protect your skin from sun damage this summer is to stay in the shade under a tree, shelter, or umbrella. If you would like to bask in direct sunlight, do so before 11 a.m. in the mornings and late in the afternoons when the heat is not too intense.

Apply High SPF Sunscreen Daily

A high SPF sunscreen has an SPF of 30 and provides both UVA and UVB safety. These harmful rays are responsible for skin cancer, a condition affecting one in five people in America.

Wear Sun Protection Clothing

Sun-protective clothing includes long-sleeved shirts, pants, dresses, and skirts. These can protect your arms and legs from too much UV exposure. Besides, darker-colored clothes can give more protection than lighter-colored ones. Just in case you are wondering — no, wet t-shirts do not offer you more sun protection. Stick to dry clothes.

Opt for Loose-Fitting Clothes

Loose-fitting clothes help cool your skin and keep it dry. Tighter outfits can trap heat under your skin and block your sweat ducts. As a result, you may develop a heat rash, which may go away on its own. If the rash does not clear up on its own, see your dermatologist.

Carry Your Wide-Brimmed Hat and Sunglasses

A wide-brimmed hat covers your ears, face, and your neck. Hats with tightly knit, dark fabric like canvas are the best for sun protection. Avoid straw hats because they have holes that allow UV rays to pass through. Remember to wear sunglasses that offer UVA and UVB protection, to protect your eyes as well as the skin under your eyes.

Drink Lots of Water and Eat Healthy Foods

Keep your body hydrated by drinking lots of water and fluid. You tend to lose lots of water during summer because of the intense heat. Thus, one or two glasses of water may not be enough to replace the amount you have lost.

As well, eat healthy diets rich in minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. Avoid junk foods, alcohol, and red meats, and eat as many fruits and veggies as you can. Fruits like watermelons have lots of water in them, and they can help keep your body healthy and hydrated.

Hydrate Your Skin

After spending time in the sun, your skin may need hydration as well. Fill your spray bottle with water and use it to rejuvenate your skin.

Relieve and Treat Sunburns

Sunburns are not fun but can occur. If this happens, relieve the heat of the sunburn by taking a cool shower and using tender moisturizing creams to reduce dryness.

To learn more about how to enjoy summer while protecting your skin, visit Gupta Plastic Surgery at our offices in San Diego or Encinitas, California. You can also call (858) 408-6100 to book an appointment today.