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Protect Your Skin During Summer Activities - Tuesday, June 15, 2010

We all love to get out and enjoy some fun in the sun during the summer, but it's important that if you are going to be outside you should try your best to protect your skin. Overexposure to the sun during the summer can lead to permanent damage in the form of sun spots, wrinkles, even skin cancer. To avoid these dangers, here are a few tips to minimize the damage to your skin this summer.

Don't get a base tan at the salon. We know that many people don't want to go to the beach and show themselves in a swimsuit before they've got a tan, but tanning beds have been correlated with significantly higher risks of skin cancer. If you must tan, try getting a base tan at home, or you can take advantage of our Sunmist Spray Tanning to look good for your first day at the beach.

Limit sun exposure during the most intense hours. Try to get under cover when the sun is at its most intense, typically between 10 am and 4 pm.

Pick summer fashions that protect your skin. Everyone loves sleeveless sun dresses with plunging necklines and short skirts. They're cool, fun, and carefree--perfect for recapturing a youthful feeling during the summer. But these outfits can expose a lot of your skin to sun damage, so it's often good to mix up your wardrobe with some light materials that help you keep cool but also block out the sun. A thin, satiny silk blouse, for example, can help you keep cool while protecting you from UV radiation. Also, it may be tempting to just throw on a baseball cap before heading out in the sun, but broad-brimmed hats to a much better job at protecting you from sun exposure.

Use sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection. Make sure your sunscreen protects against the full spectrum of UV radiation. And remember that sunscreen is only a second line of defense--don't depend on it to protect your skin all the time.

Wear mineral-based makeup. Mineral-based make up like Jane Iredale do a better job at protecting your skin than other forms of cosmetics. Even if you don't wear them all year, consider using them during periods of intense exposure.

Replenish your skin's resources. A day in the sun, especially when combined with swimming in the pool or the ocean, can drain your skin of vital oils, moisture, and nutrients, leaving it prone to more damage the next day. When you get in after spending a full day in the sun, it's best to take some time to restore what your skin has lost. We can recommend the best skin care to battle sun damage. We also offer skin treatments that can be used periodically to remove sun-damaged skin and keep a fresh appearance.

To learn more about protecting your skin during the summer, please schedule an appointment at the Centre Yourself Medical Rejuvenation Spa in Elkhart or South Bend.