Summer is here and as the weather changes so do the needs of your skin. Sunny hot days require extra hydration, diligent sun protection, and mindful exposure to heat to maintain healthy balanced skin.
Prevention is always the best medicine; the sooner summer changes are implemented, the better equipped the skin will be to beat the heat.
Sunscreen is needed year-round to protect fragile DNA from the damaging UV rays of the environment. Nothing ages you faster than the sun and when you live in “the Valley of the Sun,” wearing sunscreen is not optional.
With so many different formulations available on the market, it’s important to look for specific ingredients to find the perfect sunscreen to fit your lifestyle.
Look for the key ingredients of zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide for both UVA and UVB coverage, and make sure it is water resistant if you are spending time at the beach or pool.
While aerosols seem convenient, I tend to grab traditional lotion preparations or sticks to avoid inhaling potentially dangerous particles especially when children are involved. SPF stands for sun protective factor and this number is there to tell you how much protection you have from UVB rays.
To ensure the SPF rating, I always recommend a SPF 30 or higher and reapply every two hours or sooner if sweating or swimming. The first application of the day should be done 15 minutes before going outdoors on skin that is clean and dry; use a minimum of 1 ounce or the size of a shot glass for a full body. I advise patients to apply their sunscreen in front of a mirror or with the help of a partner so that full coverage is achieved.
Hydration, hydration, hydration. Mother Nature intentionally packs summer fruits with water and electrolytes to keep cells hydrated and happy on long warm days.
Watermelon, honeydew and cantaloupe should be enjoyed when spending time in the heat. The juicier the fruit the better. Lycopene is a super-star ingredient found in watermelon and tomatoes that packs a cell protective punch for sun-exposed skin. Blending watermelon with ice to make a refreshing drink or consuming it as a popsicle is a great way to stay cool and hydrated this summer!
When applied topically, vitamin C will give you some added insurance during long summer days and keep your cells healthy under harsh conditions. Use a topical vitamin C serum under your SPF for this added antioxidant protection and look for a potent and active formulation with 10-20% L-ascorbic acid stored in a solid dark or amber glass bottle to keep the molecule protected from the sun.
Medical grade vitamin C products tend to come with a higher price tag but will have a higher concentration of active ingredients and be formulated to keep the active ingredients stable so they can do their job once applied. Skin Better Science Alto and IS Clinical Super Serum are two of my favorite medical-grade vitamin C serums and can only be purchased through a medical office.
If you have sensitive skin, I recommend applying a hydrating serum first to avoid irritation and finding an oil-soluble inactive vitamin C derivative such as tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate. Always use sunscreen on top of your vitamin C serum when going outdoors.
Going indoors or under shade during the peak hours of 11 a.m.-3 p.m. is a great way to stay sun safe during the summer. Plan outdoor activities in the early morning or late afternoon and have scheduled downtime when the sun’s rays are most intense.
Sun umbrellas, cabanas and mid-afternoon indoor activities will help keep your skin youthful and healthy throughout your lifetime and give your skin a break so it can rest and repair after morning exposure.
Vitamin A is one of my favorite anti-aging ingredients, but most formulations leave your skin vulnerable to UV light.
Avoid using retinoic acid and retinol during the summer months if you like spending time outdoors or look for a sun-safe vitamin A formulation such as Osmosis MD Correct Retinaldehyde.
Always apply your vitamin A serum at night so it can be washed off in the morning, wear sunscreen during the day, and skip vitamin A serums all together if you know you will be spending a lot of time in the sun.
Lasers, chemical peels, and microneedling are all great ways to keep your skin healthy and youthful but squeezing them in during the summer months can be difficult and may cause more damage than good.
It is imperative to avoid sun exposure for two weeks before and after aggressive treatments so that the skin will have the tools it needs to repair.
Replacing aggressive collagen-stimulating treatments with cooling hydrating therapies such as our Lymphatic Lift and our Hydrating Summer Facial can be done during the summer months when you can’t avoid the heat or direct sunlight.
Ultrasound therapies such as Sofwave are great summer treatments because they don’t target pigment and leave the skin intact. You can also choose to do an accelerated program during winter months when you know you have downtime for healing, and this will keep you glowing year-round.
As the days get longer and the clothes get lighter it’s important to keep these sun safety tips in mind. Enjoy an outdoor vitamin D boost with mindful limits and make summer memories that will last a lifetime without the sunspots, wrinkles, and cancer risks that come with it.
For more sun safety tips or skincare advice visit us at our clinic, Vibrant Skin Bar in the heart of Arcadia or online at www.vibrantskinbar.com.
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