Summer is here! We are in the midst of summer and that means beaches, vacations, pools, cookouts and being out in the sun. For most New Englanders that means taking advantage of the 2 ½ months that we have being without the cold weather. With summer comes the sun and with the sun we must talk skincare. There are lots of benefits to the sun such as Vitamin D and even being a mood booster, but we all know the sun has some harsh rays that can affect our skin that lead to sun damage. Whether it’s hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, sun spots, burns or in the worst case, cancer. We should all find ways to protect ourselves and take preventative measure. People of all skin types and ethnic backgrounds should take precaution when it comes to the sun. Some people may wear huge hats and only enjoy the weather at night, but those are some extreme measures. Here are some helpful tips for you to enjoy the summer while protecting yourself are.
- Wear SPF daily and REAPPLY
When looking for an SPF make sure to find one with zinc as an ingredient. Zinc blocks a certain amount of radiant energy in UV light waves. Wearing SPF will reduce your risk of skin cancer, it protects you from sunburn and reduces hyperpigmentation, it also helps prevents early signs of aging. At Smooth Aesthetics we have Clear defense SPF 45 by Brand MD and BrandMD SPF 47 (pure mineral). These are oil free and lightweight and contains 12% zinc oxide and Titanium dioxide. We also have Hale and Hush SPF 30, great for sensitive skin.
- Avoid sun tanning and tanning beds.
Tanning increases your risks of skin cancer and shows visible signs of aging. Some long-term effects of tanning can be permanent dark spots and leathery skin. Tanning beds directly exposes you to UV rays increasing your chance of cancer. An alternative of tanning can be sunless tans like lotions, foams, or sprays. Here at Smooth Aesthetics, we have hydraglow tanning foam by brand MD. It is easy to apply with a quick drying formula and almost no clean up time.
- Avoid heavy makeup.
A combination of makeup and sweat is a recipe for disaster for your skin in the summer. Heavy makeup can cause acne, dryness, or oiliness. We have a breathable oxygenated foundation that is lightweight and provides complete coverage.
- Gently Exfoliate
Use a gentle exfoliator and lightweight products. You don’t want to over exfoliate your skin and have it exposed to the sun. Use gentle exfoliators like Brand MD microderm scrub with buffers that will exfoliate your skin without leaving it dry.
- Stay hydrated!
Beat the summer heat by staying hydrated and drinking lots of water. Water will not only help you in your skincare journey, it will also keep you cool and flush out toxins.
