We love the lazy, wonderful days of summer, but we don’t love the damaging effects that some of our favorite summertime activities can have on our skin. Sun, sweat and chlorine can wreak havoc on complexions if they aren’t properly treated. We’ve put together some tips that will allow you to have fun this summer and maintain that healthy summer glow:
Chlorine
Chlorine may be great to kill bacteria in swimming pools, but it’s far from great for your skin and hair. Chlorine strips skin of natural oils and can make skin dry, irritated and itchy.
- Make sure to hop in the shower soon after getting out of the pool and use a gentle soap to rinse the chemicals from your skin.
- In addition, apply a lotion that contains antioxidants (vitamins E or C) in order to neutralize the chlorine and keep skin soft.
Sweat
Running, hiking and playing games in the backyard are all summertime favorites that make us sweat. Allowing sweat to dry on the skin can clog pores and lead to acne.
- Go light on makeup. Though makeup can make your skin appear less oily, it can also trap the sweat in your pores and create blackheads and breakouts.
- Gently wash your face as soon as you can after working up a sweat. It may be tempting to let it slide, but don’t let sweat sit on your skin.
Sun
We all know the sun is our best friend and our worst enemy during the summer. Sun damage can lead to numerous problems, including wrinkles, sunspots, sunburns and even skin cancer. In order to prevent sun damage, it’s vital to be diligent with your skin care routine.
- One in five Americans will develop skin cancer. Regular skin exams and cancer screenings are essential to prevent this.
- The American Academy of Dermatologists recommends wearing broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen in SPF 30 or higher. Use an oil-free, non-comedogenic sunscreen (formulated to not block pores) on the face.
- Apply sunscreen every day! It may seem like a lot of work, but it’s so easy to incorporate into your daily routine.
- Don’t forget other sun-protective methods like hats and a lip balm with SPF.
- Avoid the sun during peak hours of the day when UV light is the strongest, typically between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
- Check yourself regularly for sunspots and irregular moles. Don’t forget commonly overlooked places like the bottoms of your feet, in-between toes and fingers, your scalp and behind your ears.
- Already have brown spots that you want to get rid of? We offer a laser treatments and chemical peels that are customizable to your needs. Schedule a consultation today.