Prevent Sunburn & Other Summer Skin Care Tips
Warmer weather means cooking out on the grill, taking a walk at the park or just relaxing by the water.
However, summer also presents many challenges to maintaining beautiful, healthy skin. More time outside often leads to a sunburn, which increases your risk of skin cancer and premature aging. Some people also experience more breakouts and dry, irritated skin when the mercury rises.
Fortunately, there are many simple ways to address these problems. Follow our tips below to protect your skin this summer!
#1: Prevent Sunburn
All it takes is just five sunburns during your lifetime to more than double your risk of melanoma. It’s also important to remember there’s no such thing as a safe tan. Both a sunburn and a tan are forms of damage that can lead to premature aging and skin cancer.
Use a broad–spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 every day. Apply at least 15 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours, and immediately after swimming or sweating. And don’t neglect sunscreen on overcast days — 80% of the sun’s harmful UV rays penetrate through clouds. Protect yourself even more by staying in the shade between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
You can find a variety of sunscreen formulations to meet the unique needs of your skin. For people wanting to avoid extra hydration during the summer, Cayce Medical Spa recommends Powder Me SPF® Dry Sunscreen from Jane Iredale. It provides UVA and UVB protection in a powder and is water-resistant for up to 40 minutes.
#2: Avoid & Treat Breakouts
Many people find that acne can get worse during the summer. The combination of hot, humid weather and more frequent sweating often leads to more oily skin and more frequent breakouts.
If you have acne, it’s important to wash your face twice daily to remove impurities, dead skin cells and extra oil that has built up during the day. Daily cleansers like Vivier HEXAM and SkinCeuticals Glycolic Renewal are great to use for acne-prone skin. The use of a facial toner will aid in the cleansing process by removing residual dirt, oil and make-up left after cleansing. Toning will also restore your skin’s natural P.H. Follow up with any oil-free leave-on topicals or acne spot treatments.
If you do happen to get a breakout and want to clear it up fast, spot treatments are a great way to clear up any blemish. Ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, glycolic acid or lactic acid are great solutions for acne. Purchasing a kit like SkinMedica’s Acne System is also a great way to make sure you have all the products you need if a breakout occurs.
#3: Protect Against Dry Skin
Did you know that air conditioning can dry out your skin? It removes moisture from the room, which leads to skin irritation, dry eyes and other uncomfortable symptoms. Moisturizing sunscreen and hand cream can help.
Here are some ways to address other culprits of dry skin during the summer:
- Frequent handwashing and alcohol-based hand sanitizers: While these are essential for reducing the risk of COVID-19 and other diseases, they can also dry out your skin. Apply a soothing lotion after washing up or using a hand sanitizer.
- Long, hot showers: Take shorter showers using lukewarm water, as hot water can lead to irritation and dryness. After bathing, gently pat your skin dry and apply moisturizer to avoid irritation.
- Chlorine: Although necessary for pool safety, chlorine is a harsh chemical that can damage your skin, hair and eyes. Rinse off in the shower after exiting the pool, and apply a soothing moisturizer afterward.
At Cayce Medical Spa, our goal is to help you look and feel your best, all summer long and throughout the year. We invite you to schedule a free consultation to get started on a personalized skin care plan specifically tailored to help you be your best beautiful!