Don’t get burned-but if you do……

Everyone regardless of skin tone needs to protect their skin against the sun. Although fair skinned individuals will burn quicker, darker/olive skin tones need to be aware too. It is important to keep in mind that sunscreen does not prevent tanning, it does however help protect against damaging UVA and UVB rays. This is important for darker/olive tones to remember, just because the skin is tanning does not mean it is not being damaged.  A tan in reality is the body’s reaction to sun damage. That gorgeous glow you’re hoping for is essentially your skin reacting to being attacked by damaging rays. When the skin is exposed to sun light the melanocytes in the body become activated and produce dark pigment to protect the skin from absorbing more rays. While SPF is a must it is only 1 of 3 lines of defense against the sun.

Glorious summer days can be spent at the beach or the pool without paying the hefty price of sun damage. Be careful not to overdo with your skincare regimen before your vacation or time spent at the beach. Do not over exfoliate or use acid based wipes or peels on the morning of a day when you know you’ll be in the sun. This is extremely important right after sun exposure. When considering how to protect yourself from the sun keep in mind that SPF is not enough. There are three crucial steps to protecting your skin. The best way is to avoid the sun altogether. Just being outdoors 4 times a month for 30 minute each can cause sun damage. While it is not feasible to always avoid the sun(and some may actually enjoy it), protective clothing and hats can help. Wearing a hat everyday along with the use of an SPF can cut down on sun exposure and damage not to mention keep your face looking young. If you are going to be outside in direct sun choose SPF protective clothing in addition to reapplying SPF every 30 minutes.

If you happen get sun burned there are many ways to treat this at home. Products that contain Organic Red Tea can be soothing and reduce inflammation and redness caused by the sun. To soothe hot itchy red skin add oatmeal or baking soda to a cool bath. Topical application of aloe or a cool compress always helps. If you are really sore or swollen you can try taking Ibuprofen for inflammation. And because the sun dries the skin out, moisturizing is a must! Body lotions with avocado oil, Shea butter, coconut oil are the best for this.

Enjoy the outdoors, just be smart about covering up! Happy Summer!