Must-dos for Summer Skin Safety

from Glo - July 2019

Girls’ Trip: Toledo O HIO

By Shelley Galbreath

Barbecues, pool parties, beach gatherings or a relaxing day at the lake –summer is full of outdoor activities. While we enjoy time spent basking in the sun’s rays, in truth those rays are not a friend to our skin. Even though it’s not visible right away, sun damage is responsible for wrinkles and age spots, and they’re the number one cause of skin cancer. Over time, the sun’s ultraviolet light harms fibers in the skin called elastin. When these fibers break down, the skin begins to sag and stretch. It also bruises and tears more easily, taking longer to heal.

The providers at Forefront Dermatology offered the following three must-dos to safely protect your skin while in the sun.

1. Wear Sunscreen – If you are going to be outside for more than 20 or 30 minutes, sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher should be applied. Sunscreen lasts only two to three hours and should be reapplied every two hours if you are spending the day in the sun. Even though sunscreen is labeled waterproof, it isn’t and needs to be reapplied after leaving the pool.

2. Wear Protective Clothing – Wearing a broad-rimmed hat protects most of the face, ears and neck. Baseball hats only protect the forehead and a little of your lower face. Wearing a shirt protects the back and shoulders.

3. Wear Daily Sunscreen Moisturizer – There are a wide variety of daily sunscreen moisturizers with SPF 30 available, and using them daily on a year-round basis is a good habit. UVA light, which is a major factor in causing skin cancer and aging of the skin is present all year from morning until evening at a relatively constant level. UVA does not cause burning so it’s common not to think of the damage it causes.

Nicole Burns the merchandiser for Fort Wayne Custom RX said the store recommends the following sunscreen products: Skin MD with SPF 15, Badger with SPF 30, Mad Hippie Facial Cream with SPF 30+ and Young Living Mineral Sunscreen with SPF 10 and SPF 50. Another product is Gloves in a Bottle, an all-in-one shielding lotion with sunscreen for the face, body and hands.

No matter how strong your sunscreen is, sometimes the best protection is avoiding the sun’s rays completely. Wear sunglasses with total UV protection, keep a hat handy, and stay out of the sun during the peak time of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Your skin will thank you for it. a