Summer Skin

Dr. Roger HABER

 

Good-looking Summer Skin Requires Commitment, not a Miracle.

Summer sun and summer temperatures are cherished because they provide you with the opportunity to spend more time outdoors doing the things you love. However, the sun and the hot temperatures come at a price and it is your skin that pays that price.

Sun damage can lead to premature ageing of the skin, wrinkles, and marks as well as skin cancer overtime. The hottest season of the year requires careful thought for your skin even as you enjoy the heat and freedom.

A good summer skin care regimen includes sun protection, gentle cleansing and hydration. This routine can keep your skin healthy and glowing for years to come.

 

What is the best way to protect your skin in summer?

– Keep your skin hydrated by using moisturizing creams daily and intensive masques up to twice a week.

-Up your fluid intake to avoid Dehydration can cause headaches and dizziness as well as flaky and rough skin textures with dry lines.

-Apply and reapply sunscreen.

-In case you skipped the sunscreen don’t panic instead apply cooling balms generously over the skin that has been exposed.

Remember to always look for a new growth or any changes in the skin’s shape and color.

If you notice any unusual spots on you skin, including those that are changing, itching or bleeding, you should make an appointment with your dermatologist

Your dermatologist will also examine your skin during routine visits.

 

How can you prevent skin cancer?

One of the most important ways to take care of your skin is to protect it from the sun. A lifetime of sun exposure can cause wrinkles, age spots and other skin problems as well as increase the risk of skin cancer. More than 90% of skin cancers are caused by sun exposure.

Here are some important tips to prevent skin cancer:

-Seek the shade, especially between 11 AM and 3 PM

-Avoid tanning and sun beds

-Cover upwith clothing, including a hat and UV-blocking sunglasses

-Use a broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen

-The American Academy of Dermatology encourages everyone to perform regular skin self-exams

-You can find more details on self-exams by clicking on this link: https://youtu.be/iS27V22uNIM

 

How often should you reapply sunscreen?

Love the sun? Don’t hold back! Go running outside, take the kids to soccer practice, or head out for a family road trip — just don’t forget to protect your skin.

As a rule of thumb sunscreen should be applied 30 minutes before sun exposure to allow the ingredients to fully bind to the skin. Reapplying sunscreen is just as important as putting it on in the first place, so reapply the same amount every two hours. Sunscreens should also be reapplied immediately after swimming, toweling off, or sweating.

Sunscreen is an absolute necessity; we should all wear it even when it’s cloudy. However, sunscreen alone isn’t enough during heavy sun-exposure; shades and the right clothes are your best weapons against sun damage.

FDA approved broad spectrum sunscreens protect your skin form UVA and UVB sunrays. It is recommended to use a Sun Protection Factor SPF of 15 or higher every day. For extended outdoor activity, use a water-resistant, broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. 2 tablespoons of sunscreen should be applied on the entire body 30 minutes before going outside and reapplied every two hours or immediately after swimming or excessive sweating. Many moisturizers have a sunscreen already in them, and this is sufficient for everyday activities with a few minutes of exposure here and there. However, if you work outside or go to the beach; stronger, water-resistant and beachwear-type sunscreens are necessary.

 

Is sunscreen applied before or after the moisturizer?

While you technically should be wearing sunscreen all year long, we’re reaching that time of year where daily application of SPF is especially necessary. You may be wondering whether you should apply your sunscreen before or after your daytime moisturizer.

When moisturizer is applied on top of sunscreen, it can change the organic and inorganic chemical properties of your sunscreen. It can also alter the way that UV rays meet your skin. Sunscreen should be used on the face after the moisturizer has dried. Then, wait at least 15-30 minutes for your sunscreen to properly absorb into your skin to go out.

 

Can face oil cause acne breakouts during summer?

Face oils often tend to cause blackheads since they end up blocking the pores of the skin. When the pores on your skin are clogged, it becomes the perfect breeding ground for P. Acnes bacteria and leads to acne breakout.

Skin cleansing, exfoliating and moisturizing routines are crucial in summer as they help you prevent acne. People should wash and cleanse their face with gentle, alcohol-free products at least twice a day and avoid layering their face with heavy foundations and face oils.

 

Are there any particular foods that boost the skin’s texture in the summer?

Some people think they should avoid chocolate, bread, cake, fried food, and pretty much everything that is made with sugar or oil during the summer season in order to improve the appearance of their skin.

Here’s the good news: the link between excessive sugar consumption and acne has not been proven yet and the most recent studies have shown that avoiding these foods will not improve your skin texture.

 

What are the most common summertime skin myths?


 Wearing sunscreen can cause vitamin D deficiency: No study has confirmed that sunscreens cause vitamin D deficiency. Moreover, vitamin D is available in dietary supplements and foods such as salmon and eggs, as well as enriched milk and orange juice.

You don’t need sunscreen when it is Cold or Cloudy: Up to 40% of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation reaches the Earth’s surface on a cloudy day. This misperception often leads to the most serious sunburns, because people spend all day outdoors with no protection from the sun on a cloudy day.

It’s too late to do anything now: There is a general misconception, where people think it is useless to apply sunscreen if they did not start to do so in their youth. A recent multi-center study showed that we get only 25% of our total sun exposure by age 18. Since adults are now living longer and spending more leisure time outdoors, preventing ongoing skin damage will continue to be an important part of a healthy lifestyle.

 

What is the last piece of advice that you would like to offer?

-Buy a high-quality sunscreen

-Make sure it offers broad-spectrum protection SPF 15 or above

-Decide whether it works better for everyday incidental use or extended outdoor use.

-Use it the right way

 

Always remember that sunscreens lower your risk of developing skin cancer, while helping your skin look younger and healthier for longer. Great skin doesn’t happen by chance it happens with care and by appointment. Book yours now at Mount Lebanon Hospital on

05 957 000 and we will help you take better care of your skin.

 

By Dr. Roger HABER, M.D., M.Sc.

 

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