Welcome Summer, Hello Sunscreen!

Hello Summertime, Hello Sun, Hello Sunburns and Wrinkles!

It seems like I have been waiting FOREVER for it to get here! Now that it is toasty, I'm ready for fall.

In the meantime, while you are cramming every minute with fun summertime activities, here are a few tips to keep your skin perfect during the summer months and avoid sunburns which eventually lead to premature wrinkles!

1. Wear your sunscreen! Did you know that it takes about 1/2 an hour after application for sunscreen to work? That means, if you squirt on sunscreen just before you head outside, you'll get a good half hour of sun damage before your sunscreen is effective. This alone gets many people into trouble.

How often to you hear others say that their sunscreen is "no good" and doesn't work? Now you know the reason why - user error and lack of info on when to apply sunscreen. Reapplying sunscreen is minimally effective unless the previous layer has been washed off (via swimming for 1-2 hours or showering, etc.).

Did you know that an SPF of 30 is as strong as you really need? Anything higher doesn't give you a proportional amount of extra protection. (maybe 1-4% extra protection - not very much). Be sure the sunscreen protects against UVA and UVB rays.

What provides the best protection is the amount you apply. If you are really stingy and barely cover your skin, your protection is significantly less. Be sure to apply an adequate amount the first time. Also, wearing lotion under your sunscreen is a no-no! Sunscreen has to be right on your skin to be perfectly effective.

2. Wear a well-ventilated broad brimmed hat. I especially love this one - how often do you forget to apply sunscreen to your ears? Withoug, at the end of a hot day outdoors, they look like fried pork rinds. Baseball hats help your crown from getting scorched, but are insufficient in covering your ears.

3. What fries first? Ears, nose, shoulders, front of thighs just above the knees, and calves if you are walking around.

4. Stay Hydrated - stay away from sodas. The extra sodium can dehydrate you and wear you out! Stick with juices, non-sugar drinks, and water!

5. Going swimming? The most intense hours of the sun are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This is when most of us want a cool dip in the water. If you are going to be in the water a long time, consider more practical swimwear: shirts and shorts. I'm not talking about t-shirts either. There are many swimshirts and boardshorts available that are fashionable. You'll get more protection from the sun, and you won't be constantly tugging your one-piece into place or making sure your bikini is staying in place!

I'll post more ideas as I think of them that will keep you in the sun without the sun damaging you!

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Remember, take care of your skin because your face is the first thing people see!