Summertime is everyone’s favorite season to bare their skin in bathing suits, sandals, shorts, skirts, 
and tank-tops. Spending time outdoors during the summer can be healthy, especially considering sunshine is a key source of vitamin D. But heading outside without the right skin protection can lead to premature signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles, and increase your risk for skin cancer.
Despite the risks associated with excess sun exposure, don’t allow your fears to prevent you from being outside! Practice the following tips to keep your skin safe in the sun and benefit from fresh air, improved health, and youthful-looking skin, and learn more about cosmetic skin treatments with a complimentary consultation with Glow Surgical Arts.
Stay hydrated
Get into the habit of bringing water with you whenever you head out. Water helps keep your body and skin hydrated, and prevents your skin from becoming tight, dry, and flaky, and prone to fine lines and wrinkles. Avoid drinking alcohol and sugary beverages that increase the rate of dehydration, and stick to water whenever possible.
Apply sunscreen daily
Apply sunscreen to your skin every day — even on cloudy days. Up to 80 percent of the sun’s UV rays can still pass through clouds and result in sunburn. Use sunscreen products that offer both UVA and UVB protection, and apply sunscreen to all exposed skin, including your hands, feet, and neck.
Use antioxidant skin care products
Skin care products that contain antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, and green tea can help you maintain a youthful appearance and combat the effects of sun damage. Look for skin care products that contain high potency levels of antioxidants for an added boost of protection against the sun.
Exfoliate weekly
Exfoliating your skin helps shed dead skin cells so new, healthy cells can grow in their place. This helps rejuvenate your skin and reverses signs of sun damage. Exfoliate one to two times per week if you tend to have dry skin, and two to three times per week if you have oily skin.
Choose the right clothing
Wear hats with wide brims to protect your face, ears, and neck as best as possible, and choose clothing that absorbs or reflects the sun’s UV rays, such as dark-colored clothing, garments made with unbleached cotton or high-luster polyesters, and tight weaves or knits. Some brands even offer clothing lines with an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) rating to indicate the amount of rays that can be absorbed by the fabric.
Wear SPF lip balm
Lips are often overlooked when it comes to summer skin care. Lips that are dry, cracked, peeling, and scaly can indicate a condition known as actinic keratoses, which is an early sign of skin cancer. Apply lip balm with SPF protection every two hours, and choose darker shades of lipstick for the best protection against the sun.
Take a cold shower
A cold shower does more than just cool you down after spending time in the hot sun. A cold shower helps reduce the temperature of your skin to negate the effects of sunburn, and cleanses your skin after you’ve been sweating to decrease the risk for acne.
Eat more fresh fruits
Munch on fruits throughout the summer to keep your skin hydrated and nourished with vitamins and antioxidants. For instance, watermelon is especially high in water content, while cantaloupe is an antioxidant powerhouse effective at plumping your skin.
Reverse sun damage with cosmetic treatments
If sun damage has led to visible signs of aging such as creases, fine lines, and wrinkles, one or more facial rejuvenation treatments can help you turn back the clock and revive your skin.
Microneedling with COSMOPen helps treat acne, wrinkles, large pores, and other signs of aging, while injectables (Botox, Xeomin) and dermal fillers (Juvederm, Radiesse) can help erase fine lines and restore volume to your face. PRP, or Platelet Rich Plasma therapy improves the texture and appearance of your skin by reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
If you’re unsure about which cosmetic treatment is ideal for you, schedule a consultation with Glow Surgical Arts. We can improve your appearance with facial rejuvenation, and reduce visible signs of aging to boost your confidence and help you feel younger and more vibrant. Complete this form and learn more about what Glow Surgical Arts can offer!
