As the summer heat takes center stage in our lives, we all feel the need to go to the beach, bake in the backyard or sit around the pool. After all, we want to have some fun! But don’t forget to protect your skin during the summer.
Exposing the skin to sunlight for at least 15 minutes a day has some important health benefits. However, we cannot ignore the aging effects the sun poses on our skin. It is well known that sunrays stimulate the production of free radicals which make the skin dry and wrinkled. Sun exposure might increase the risk of skin cancer as well.
TIPS FOR PROTECTING YOUR SKIN DURING THE SUMMER
- Use a good quality sun block. An SPF 30Â or our new SPF 50 will give you the protection you need. When in the sun, do not make the mistake of applying the sun block only once. Sun blocks need to be applied multiple times during the sun exposure in order to be effective. The quality of your sun block is paramount. The ingredients need not to be toxic, and it has been reports in the news of poor quality sun blocks that actually could cause skin cancer! Also if your sun block is too thick, it could clog your pores and make your skin break out.
- When in the sun, if you do not want to age prematurely, protect your face with a large hat and big sun glasses.
- Stay hydrated! We know how important water is, but the best way to actually keep the water in your body is to eat plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits.
- Take extra doses of Vitamin C. Vitamin C will quench the free radicals that the sun creates and will help in the renewal of skin collagen. I recommend Ascorbyl Palmitate in the dose of 500mg 3 or 4 times a day with food.
- Last but not least: have fun! Happiness keeps the doctor away.
[Updated July, 2020]
Love your face.
Dr. Aurora DeJuliis