Summer brings with it the irresistible allure of sunny days, often spent lounging on the beach, picnicking in the park, or simply enjoying the outdoors. While soaking up the summer sun can feel glorious, it’s crucial to acknowledge the importance of summer skincare to protect your skin. Whether you’re chasing the perfect tan or just reveling in the warm weather, safeguarding your skin against the sun’s rays is essential to maintain its health and vitality.
Understanding the Sun’s Harmful Rays
The sun emits ultraviolet (UV) radiation that reaches the earth in the form of UVA and UVB rays. While UVB rays are primarily responsible for sunburn, UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin, contributing to premature aging and long-term damage such as wrinkles and sunspots. Both types of UV rays play a significant role in aging the skin and developing skin cancer, making it essential to protect your skin whenever you’re exposed to the sun.
Summer Skincare Safety Tips
Use Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen: Always apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. This type of sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Reapply every two hours, or more frequently if you are swimming or sweating. We offer a wide range of SPF from EltaMD that you can pick up in-office! Contact the office for more details.
Wear Protective Clothing: Cover up with lightweight long-sleeved shirts, pants, and wide-brimmed hats. These can provide an extra layer of protection against the sun’s harmful rays.
Seek Shade: This is especially important between 10 am and 4 pm when the sun’s rays are strongest. If you’re outside during these hours, find shade under an umbrella, a tree, or other shelter.
Use Sunglasses with UV Protection: Protect your eyes and the delicate skin around them by wearing sunglasses that offer 100% UV protection.
Stay Hydrated: Sun exposure and increased temperatures can lead to dehydration. Drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated and healthy.
Use Antioxidants: Incorporate antioxidant-rich skincare products and foods into your routine. Antioxidants can help fight the damage caused by UV rays by neutralizing free radicals. Check out our collection of Vitamin C Serums from SkinCeuticals!
Avoid Tanning Beds: Tanning beds emit concentrated UV radiation which can increase the risk of skin cancer and accelerate skin aging. Opt for self-tanning products if you want a bronzed look without the risks.
Perform Regular Skin Checks: Keep an eye on your skin for any new moles or changes to existing moles. See a dermatologist annually for a professional skin exam.
Dealing with Hyperpigmentation and Sun Damage
Extended sun exposure can lead to hyperpigmentation, where patches of skin become darker than the surrounding area. This condition is often a result of melanin overproduction in certain skin spots as a defense mechanism against prolonged UV exposure.
At Vive Aesthetics and Wellness, we offer advanced treatments to address hyperpigmentation and sun damage, helping to restore and even out your skin tone. Treatments such as BBL (Broadband Light) therapy, Halo laser treatment, and HydraFacial are designed to reduce dark spots and improve the overall health of your skin.
BBL therapy uses light energy to target and diminish the appearance of hyperpigmentation. The Halo laser treatment combines deep dermal rejuvenation with epidermal renewal for a combined effect, improving the complexion and reducing sunspots. Meanwhile, HydraFacial provides a gentler approach, offering hydration and antioxidant protection while addressing superficial signs of sun damage.
Summer should be a time of enjoyment and relaxation. By taking the right summer skincare precautions to protect your skin from the sun and opting for professional skin treatments when necessary, you can safely enjoy the warmth of the sun without compromising the health of your skin. Remember, the key to maintaining youthful and radiant skin is not just in treating its symptoms but also in preventing damage before it starts. Schedule a consultation and discover how our aesthetic solutions can keep your skin looking its best.
Summer Skincare FAQs
Broad-spectrum sunscreen is designed to protect your skin from both UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays can prematurely age your skin, causing wrinkles and age spots, while UVB rays can burn your skin. Both types contribute to the risk of skin cancer. Using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher ensures comprehensive protection against sun damage.
Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours, or more frequently if you are swimming, sweating, or towel-drying. This is crucial to maintain effective sun protection, as the active ingredients in sunscreen can break down over time or be removed through water and sweat.
Yes, wearing sunglasses with 100% UV protection is essential for protecting not only your eyes but also the delicate skin around them. This area is particularly susceptible to sun damage due to its thinness, which can lead to wrinkles, sun spots, and other signs of aging.
Signs of dehydration include dry mouth, fatigue, dizziness, and less frequent urination. To prevent dehydration, drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially if you are active or spending time in the heat. Keeping your skin hydrated helps maintain its health, elasticity, and appearance.
At Vive Aesthetics and Wellness, we offer several treatments to reduce hyperpigmentation and sun damage. BBL (Broadband Light) therapy targets and diminishes the appearance of dark spots by using light energy. Halo laser treatment provides a deeper rejuvenation, improving overall complexion and reducing sunspots. Additionally, HydraFacial offers a gentler approach, hydrating the skin and providing antioxidant protection to address superficial signs of sun damage. These treatments help restore and even out your skin tone, enhancing your skin’s natural beauty and health.
