We’re getting deep into summer, and you can no doubt feel it. The heat and the sun can be very hard on your body, especially your skin. You may end up with a painful sunburn or you may start to notice wrinkles and lines that you never noticed before. You might even end up with something more serious or even life threatening. Here are 4 things you can do to protect yourself and your skin!
- Avoid the urge to sunbathe. Having a tan may make you look healthy, but too much sun can do permanent damage to your skin. If you really have to sunbathe, limit it to less than 20 minutes a day.
- If you are going to be outside for more than 20 minutes, apply sunscreen, even on a cloudy day. Aim for a sunscreen with at least an SPF of 30, and don’t forget to reapply it often.
- Stay inside from 10 am to 4 pm – this is when the sun is at its strongest and can do the most damage. If you do go outside, protect yourself with sunscreen, a long sleeve shirt, pants, and a wide-brimmed hat. And don’t forget about your eyes, which are also vulnerable to damage from the sun – when you buy sunglasses, make sure they are UV-blocking.
- Examine your skin once a month for any spots that look suspicious. This is especially important if you’ve had many sunburns in the past, as this increases your risk of developing skin cancer. Even a bad sunburn from your early 20s can lead to skin cancer.
Spending time in the sun can be a wonderful thing, and being outside is part of having some fun in the summer. The sun also helps the body to produce vitamin D, which is vital for our health, and sunshine is important for our mental health as well. Just make sure you protect your skin, for your comfort and safety. If you need some extra help taking care of your skin during the summer, call New Look Skin Center in California, at (818) 662-5005!
