Tips to protect against sun damage
We love the warmth and light of the sun in the summer and look forward to the many beach days ahead! And while we know that summertime tan may be nice, we also know that too much sun exposure can significantly damage our skin. Read for tips to protect the skin while soaking up the sun!
In this post you’ll see
Dangers of Sun Exposure
Signs of Sun Damage
Summertime Skincare Tips
Dangers of Sun Exposure
We know it feels amazing to lounge in the sunshine and soak up some vitamin D, but too much sun exposure can hurt your health in the long run. As temperatures continue to rise in the transition from Spring to Summer, we can’t help but be excited for the next beach day and days of gardening! While we love the feel of the sun on our skin, we know the importance of protecting against sun damage. Some of the dangers of excess sun exposure include:
– Collagen Crisis: Repeated UV exposure not only breaks down collagen but also stunts new collagen synthesis, leading to sagging skin and wrinkles.
– Worsening Hyperpigmentation: Just one stint in the sun can worsen any existing hyperpigmentation, while long-term exposure can cause solar lentigines to appear.
– Skin Dehydration: Dehydration – a skin concern many of us may deal with often – is also caused by prolonged UV exposure.
– Risk of Skin Cancer: Skin cancer is a risk everyone runs when they spend time outside unprotected. Applying a moisturizing broad-spectrum sunscreen every day can help deter a disease 1 in 5 Americans will get.
Signs of Sun Damage
Most of us start life with smooth, unmarked, baby-soft skin, but our birthday suits tend to take on more texture and color every year. Wrinkles and spots that show up as we age over time are actually signs of the sun’s damage to your skin. (P.S. so is a suntan.) While the sun’s beams darken our skin, other kinds of damage aren’t always as easy to spot. Here are some of the most common signs of sun damage:
– Itchy/ Red Skin: Sunburns may last only a few days, but they add up to skin problems later in life. When you have a mild sunburn, your skin turns red and feels painful and warm to the touch. You may be itchy, and your skin may peel. Blisters mean you have a bad burn.
– Rough/ Scaly Skin Patches: Actinic keratoses are scaly, rough patches of skin or raised bumps that look like warts or horns. They usually show up on your face, scalp, ears, neck, arms, and hands. They can be dark tan, red, pink, or the same color as your skin, and they can come and go. Sometimes they itch.
– Dry/ Split Lips: If they’re always dry or split or you have a white, scaly spot on your bottom lip, let your doctor know.
– Age Spots: also called liver spots or lentigines, might look like extra-large freckles. These discolored areas, which can be as big as a quarter, tend to get darker and show up more often with age.
– Atypical Moles: are very common, but it’s important to watch for changes to them. If you have one that grows, has an irregular border or uneven surface, changes color, itches, bleeds, or gets darker, it’s time for a trip to the doctor’s office.
– Rosacea: Sun rays are powerful enough to harm the small blood vessels under your skin. So when you blush or flush, fluid leaks out and causes red blotches and bumps on your face. It usually comes and goes at first, but the condition can stick around over time.
– Wrinkles/ Laugh Lines/ Crow’s Feet: whatever you call them, they’re a sign of your time in the sun. Exposure to sunlight, even long ago, frays the fibers that prop up firm skin. It speeds the wrinkling process and may give you sags and droops.
Summertime Skin Care Tips
Did you know the number one culprit behind sun damage is not the beach vacation you take? Two-thirds of all sun damage happens by accident! It can come from daily activities like exercise, errands, and your daily drive to work. Did you also know that you aren’t safe from sun damage just because you are inside? UV rays can penetrate through windows, meaning our skin is vulnerable ALL-DAY LONG! When it’s cloudy out, do you think you are safe? YOU ARE NOT! 80% of UV rays can pass through clouds, which also means winter calls for sun protection too! Here are some summertime skin care tips:
- Lighten up your skin-care routine: If you’re not wearing a winter coat, why should your skin? The heat and humidity of summer means you can swap out a heavier cleanser in favor of a gentle, foaming option.
- Use a dual-purpose moisturizer: To help lighten things up we recommend switching to a combination moisturizer and sunscreen during the summer. Thicker moisturizers can lead to clogged pores, inflammation, and acne.
- Don’t stop moisturizing completely: That extra layer of sweat on your face does not count as a moisturizer. Even if your skin already feels oily, you should always follow cleansing with a moisturizer.
- Use a vitamin C serum: Vitamin C helps prevent hyperpigmentation, improves the appearance of fine lines, and can help with collagen production. Layer a few drops on your skin between cleansing and moisturizer.
- Exfoliate: For those with oily skin, we suggest incorporating more exfoliation into your skin-care routine. That doesn’t mean a daily dose of all your favorite acids but try slowly increasing the number of days you exfoliate per week.
- Don’t over-shower: Between workouts, beach days, and plain old summer sweat, many of us shower more than once a day during the summer. Over-showering, or showering in water that is too hot, can lead to over-drying your skin, leading to inflammation and even summertime eczema.
- Stay in the shade: Wear sun-protective clothing, wide-brim hats, and sunglasses in the sun. We don’t expect you to wear a long-sleeve shirt every single moment you’re on the beach but be mindful to expose as little of your body as possible to direct sunlight. That might mean sitting underneath an umbrella, wearing an extra-large hat, or avoiding the midday sun.
- Don’t forget to hydrate: Hydration is always important for our skin, but even more so in the summer. Aim for eight glasses of water a day, which can also help skin recover after a sunburn.
- SPF, SPF, SPF: Don’t forget about hands, feet, ears, and lips. Also, remember that sunscreen needs to be reapplied every couple of hours, so make sure to pack extra sunscreen for long summer days outdoors. Pro tip: Set an alarm on your phone to remind you to reapply!
Have a happy and healthy summer, full of gratitude for all the little things like sunshine, food, clean water, and the ability to give hugs again.
Love you lots,
Violet
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