Summer is in full swing and so are vacations and outdoor fun in the sun!

If you spend a lot of time outside without proper skin protection, you’re risking getting sunburnt.

The consequences of what the sun does to your skin aren’t immediately noticeable. After a while, you’ll start getting dehydrated skin, new wrinkles, reduced skin elasticity, and sunspots.

Keep reading to learn how to protect your skin from the harmful UV rays and prevent skin damage.

Prevent Skin Damage With These Sun Protection Tips

The skin is your biggest organ and the first to be exposed to the UV rays. Read below for the best ways to keep it healthy and still enjoy the summer sun.

Wear High SPF Sunscreen

The first and most important step to protect skin from sun is wearing high SPF sunscreen.

You may not notice the level of sun exposure while sunbathing, but your skin will show you when it’s too much.

SPF products are mandatory if you want to keep your skin fresh, healthy and protected from the harmful UV rays.

Choose quality products like those available at Ageless Living Cold Lake that are waterproof and gentle for your skin. Apply SPF multiple times a day, even if you’re in the shade.

Wear sunscreen when you’re in the water because the sunbeams reflect off the surface and can easily magnify — which can have a greater effect on your skin.

Hydrate Your Body and Skin

The summer heat can easily leave you dehydrated and a few glasses of water may not replenish the amount you’ve lost.

Carry a big bottle of water with you wherever you go. You can also drink iced tea, coffee, fruit juices, and lemonade. Fruits with high water content like cucumbers and watermelons can keep you hydrated as well.

After being exposed to the sun, your skin needs hydration from the outside as well. When you’re out and about, use a small spray bottle filled with water to refresh your skin.

Use Quality Skincare Products

Summer days are hot and heavy, but summer nights can be chilly and this temperature difference can make your skin dry.

Air conditioning is another culprit for dry, lifeless skin, which is why it needs extra care and attention.

Aside from SPF, you should develop a summertime skincare routine to help your skin stay healthy.

For example, the SPF product you use for your body may not suit your skin. The formulations are too heavy and may cause breakouts with constant use.

For your face, use gentle toners, cleansers, and moisturizers when you’re inside. When you’re going out during the day, use special face creams with high SPF.

Don’t forget your eyelids, ears, neck, hands, and top of the feet. These are areas we often forget to protect from the sun.

Our AlumierMD skincare line features specially formulated cleansers, exfoliants, moisturizers, serums and sunscreens for different skin types.

We use innovative ingredients in each product to make sure your skin gets exactly what it needs.

Use After-Sun Body Lotions

During the day, hot, humid air can dry out your skin and make it more sensitive. You can prevent this by applying sunscreen and stay in the shade, but once you get home, you need to help your skin recover.

After-sun skincare is great for supplying your skin with hydration, providing instant relief. These lotions and gels also cool off and refresh the skin after a long day at the beach.

You can also use natural alternatives like pure aloe vera gel, Greek yogurt or cold water patches.

Wear Hats, Sunglasses and Beach Coverups

Hats and sunglasses aren’t just accessories for the beach. They also provide an additional layer of protection for your eyes, face, and scalp.

Your eyes are especially sensitive to the sun, so you need quality sunglasses with a high SPF.

Though covered by hair, the skin on your scalp can suffer from sunburn, too. There are special SPF sprays you can buy to protect it when you’re not wearing a hat.

Your clothes and coverups play a role too. Make sure you wear breathable materials like cotton or linen and avoid polyester and see-through fabrics.

Don’t Overtan

Tanning is one of the main reasons people stay in the sun for too long and risk getting sunburnt. But, to protect your skin from damage and skin cancer, you should be smart when it comes to tanning.

Try to stay out of the sun between 11 am and 4 pm and if you do try not to stay in direct sunlight longer than 15 minutes at a time. Your SPF can only do so much if you’re not careful. This is especially true for people that don’t tan easily.

Eat Healthy Foods

Food rich in vitamins, minerals, and anti-oxidants is a must during the summer.

Consume as many fresh fruits and vegetables as you can and steer clear of junk food, red meat, sodas, and alcohol.

Eating light in the summer will help your body stay healthy and your skin radiant, elastic and well-hydrated.

To make sure you’re eating right, prepare some healthy snacks for the beach or for work.

Check Your Skin Regularly

Moderate sun exposure is great for boosting your vitamin D levels. It’s when you cross the limit that your skin suffers and starts to lose its glow.

Sunburn is not the only skin problem you can develop with overexposure to UV rays. There are a host of other issues that can come up such acne, sun blisters, premature ageing, and skin cancer.

It’s essential that you check your skin often after being in the sun for longer periods of time.

Looking to Heal Sun Damaged Skin? Use Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are made of acids such as alpha-hydroxy, salicylic, glycolic, carbolic, and lactic acid. They work together to help exfoliate the outer layer of the skin, leaving it smooth and rejuvenated.

Peels are great for sun-damaged skin as they can remove sun spots, blemishes, fine wrinkles, and freckles caused by sunburn and long-term sun exposure.

It’s Never Too Late to Nourish Your Skin!

Preventing skin damage from the sun and premature ageing is easy if you follow these tips!

For more useful anti-ageing articles and news, check out our blog.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, contact us today!