When the sun comes out, most people rush outside to soak up all the Vitamin D they have been deprived of throughout the cold winter months. Over half of these people do not use sunscreen, which means the sun is causing more harm than good. Our team at Foothills Med Spa is here to inform you about the importance of protecting your skin from the sun. Below are some easy tips and tricks to avoid early aging and even skin cancer!

Protective Clothing

When it comes to protecting your skin from the sun, not all clothes are created equally. The ultraviolet protection factor (UPF), indicates how much UV a clothing item will allow through to your skin. If you are looking for maximum protection, try wearing clothing items that are densely woven. If you have older clothes that are not as thick as they used to be, they are likely going to let more UV rays through than new clothes. The material also matters! Polyester or nylon materials are more protective than cotton or rayon. Lastly, color plays a big factor in the level of protection. Dark colors absorb UV more than light ones which means that dark color clothes will allow less sun to reach your skin.

Avoid Tanning Beds

With the heat waves approaching, many people think that they need to get a head start on their tan by using a tanning bed. There is a common myth that if you have a “base tan” then you will not get sunburned in the summer months. This is a false claim. Tanning beds are extremely damaging to your skin due to the high intensity of the UV rays. There are dangerously strong levels of UVA and UVB rays which both cause aging and skin cancer. The best way to protect the health of your skin will not come from using a tanning bed to prep your skin for the summer months.

Sunscreen

Sunscreen is arguably the most well-known protection method against harmful sun rays. Most people think they can just grab a can of sunscreen from the cabinet, spray on a quick layer, and call it a day… but this is not the case. There are some simple rules to follow to ensure that you are properly using sunscreen and fully protecting your skin, check it out!

Implement In Your Skincare Routine

Using a daily SPF lotion in your skincare routine has many benefits for your skin. There are numerous lotions and other products that range from SPF 15 to SPF 30 that you can purchase in-store or online. Because your face is the one area of your body that you don’t usually cover, using a protective lotion will be key for reducing aging and sun damage.

Make Sure They Aren’t Expired

Typically, people only buy sunscreen in the summer months and one bottle can last a very long time. What some people don’t know is that sunscreen can expire! So the bottle that you bought last year might not be good when you pull it out of the drawer this year. If sunscreen is expired, it will not have the same level of protection that it used to and it is not worth risking a sunburn if you are going to be outside all day. If you are planning an outdoor trip this summer, be sure to check the expiration dates before you embark on your adventure!

Reapply Often

If you are swimming or doing other water activities, reapplying sunscreen every 80 minutes will help prevent sunburns. If you are outside but not getting wet, stick to a schedule of reapplying every two hours. If you often forget to reapply, try setting a timer on your phone to remind you!

Cover All Areas Exposed To The Sun

It is very common when applying sunscreen to miss a spot or two. Some places people usually forget to cover are their ears, scalp, the nape of the neck, and the tops of your feet. Guaranteeing that all these areas are covered will help reduce aging, sunburns, and sunspots. If you don’t want to apply sunscreen to your face and ears, you can wear a hat that has a 3-4 inch brim to cover your whole head!

Always Be Prepared

The best thing you can do for yourself in the summer is to always be prepared with preventative measures! Whether that be stocking up on sunscreen, sun umbrellas, or purchasing clothing that doesn’t allow you to get burned, it is better to be safe than sorry. Strategically placing these items in your car, purse, or at home will also help you be ready for wherever the day takes you!

The summer warmth only comes once a year, but the skin you have will last you a lifetime. The smart choice is to be kind to your skin and protect it from the sun to avoid aging and skin cancer in the future. If you have any questions about skin care or our skincare treatments, contact Foothills Med Spa today!