While plenty of fun can be had in the sun this spring and summer, excessive sun exposure without sun safety can pose a serious risk of both short-term burns and long-term damage. Over one-third of Americans experience sunburns annually, and there are thousands of cases of skin cancer annually resulting from sun damage.
Luckily, these risks can be offset by some simple, effective tips to keep your skin safe and healthy so you can be carefree when out and about in the sun.
It’s important to keep in mind that everyone has unique skin and medical conditions. If you have specific questions about how best to care for your skin type, contact Community Pharmacy today.
- Maintain a High Level of Hydration
When your body is fully hydrated and healthy, the skin has additional protection from harmful UV rays. Hydrated skin essentially gives your body a barrier function, so by drinking the recommended twelve to sixteen cups of water per day, you give your body a natural bolster to its natural defenses.
If skin damage does occur, a high level of hydration also helps the skin recover faster.
- Provide Supplemental Support
In the warmer months, adding some dietary supplements to your diet is an easy, effective tool to shore up the body’s defenses.
The following vitamins provide the body with key nutrients for healthy skin and can be easily added to your daily routine:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Zinc
- Fish Oil
- Coq10
If you have questions about how best to keep your skin healthy with supplements, practices, or anything else, then contact the Community Pharmacy team today for quick and easy answers.
- Protect Your Skin with Dermatologist-Approved Sunscreen
Before prolonged exposure to sunlight in summer, it’s always best to apply a layer of sunscreen to prevent sun damage from ever occurring.
Ideally, one backed by studies and approved by dermatologists that protects a broad spectrum (both UVA and UVB rays) and contains key ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium oxide. Water resistance is another useful feature for sunscreen if your outdoor plans include swimming.
For most, a SPF rating of 30 or more is sufficient to protect the skin from UV damage.
- Choose Appropriate Clothing
When temperatures rise it’s tempting to shed layers and leave skin bare.
However, having thin, breathable clothing options along with other sun-blocking accessories like wide-brim hats and umbrellas, can give your skin some portable shade and relief from the sun as needed.
- Limit Prolonged Exposure (especially on high UV days)
It’s helpful to look at the daily and hourly UV ratings and adjust your outdoor plans accordingly. This metric uses a range of 1-12, with the lower range signifying little to no risk and the higher numbers posing a high risk.
By using a local or national UV Index map, you can become aware of what days and times the UV index typically spikes so you can prepare or avoid it as needed.
- Moisturize and Avoid Irritants
Moisturizers and lotions are a timeless tool to bring relief to the skin after long days in the sun. Ingredients like aloe, coconut oil, and zinc all bring immediate benefits with their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
On the other hand, exposure to substances like chlorine (commonly found in pools), and salicylic acids (present in some soaps and detergents) can irritate and dry the skin faster. When exposed to these chemicals, it’s best to wash them off quickly to avoid damage.
Keep That Skin Cool and Safe
Spring and summer are a wonderful time to be outside with long days full of vibrant life. By keeping your skin healthy and safe from sun damage, you can enjoy the brightest months of the year without worry.
