Summer is finally here! You can pack away your sweaters and jackets and take out your sundresses and bathing suits. While we’re all itching to get out into the summer sun, it’s important to remember the consequences that long periods in the sun can have on your skin. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the U.S., and it can start from excessive sun exposure. Luckily, there are ways of protecting your skin that still let you enjoy time in the sun. Even better, if your skin is already sun damaged, there are treatments for reversing it at South Jersey spas like ANU Medical Spa.
Sunscreen
Sunscreen is probably the most important thing you should remember this summer. You may be already protecting your face without even knowing it! Many moisturizers out there contain SPF. Check your moisturizer and make sure it has at least SPF 15. When looking for the best sunscreen, it’s a good idea to go with a higher SPF (15 or higher) and be sure it is water-resistant and provides broad-spectrum protection. Your sunscreen will work best when you apply it 15 to 30 minutes before going out in the sun! If you’re swimming, sweating, or spending a long time outdoors, reapply sunscreen every two hours on your face and entire body. A good rule of thumb: you should be putting on enough sunscreen that it takes a full minute to rub in.
Sun hats and umbrellas
Any extra protective clothing is good in the sun, but let’s start with just a hat. Unless you have a shaved head, it’s difficult to put sunscreen on your scalp. A wide-brimmed sun hat will protect your head and ears from harmful rays (and look really cute).
On the beach, don’t forget your umbrella! Hours and hours spent in the direct sunlight is dangerous for your skin and exhausting. Take a break from the sun under your umbrella to cool off, rehydrate, and reapply sunscreen before going back into the sun.
Lip balm
The lips are commonly overlooked in the sunscreen procedure, but it’s a common site for skin and lip cancer because of the extended sun exposure. To protect your lips all summer, you can put sunscreen directly on the lips or look for lip-specific products that have SPF 15 or higher. You should apply lip products just as often as you reapply sunscreen (every two hours).
Sunglasses
Just like your skin, prolonged sun exposure can redden the whites of your eyes, which overtime could cause eye problems. When it comes to sunglasses, bigger is better. More coverage of the eye means less intensity of light to reach the back part of the eye. When looking for a good pair of sunglasses, make sure they have UV 400 protection.
Microneedling for reversing sun damage
If you’re already noticing sun damage, it might be a good idea to try a microneedling treatment to reverse the damage. Microneedling at a South Jersey spa uses surgical steel microneedles to penetrate the skin. This process kickstarts the body’s wound healing response and increases collagen production to eliminate dark spots, uneven pigmentation, and other types of sun damage. Learn more about microneedling in our blog.
The summer fun doesn’t have to stop because of sun damage, but make sure you’re taking these preventative measures so your skin can stay healthy and look younger for longer! This month at ANU, we are offering a variety of discounted skin care treatments to keep your skin healthy and beautiful. Check out our monthly specials to see what you can save on.
