Summer is in full swing. Personally, summer means heading to the beach, lake or any body of water to relax as fast as I possibly can. If you’re anything like me, tanning is a summer activity I look forward to‒what can I say? I love the summer glow. Unfortunately, with the warm weather and cloudless skies my skin is at a greater risk for sun damage. I’m not alone‒whatever your plans are this summer, chances are your skin is at risk too.
The sun emits UV rays, which can negatively impact your skin by accelerating the aging process, creating sunspots and burning the surface of your skin (and we all know how painful that can be). Driving, biking, swimming, running and even walking outside without the proper protection can leave your skin vulnerable to sun damage.
Don’t worry, I’m not here to scare you and tell you to never leave the house again. I am here to share Cooper Spa Dallas’ recommendations to prevent skin damage this summer while still maintaining healthy and glowing summer skin.
Sunscreen
A tale as old as time. “Don’t forget sunscreen,” the phrase I heard from the moment I packed my bags for the beach as a kid to my senior year in college‒it’s physically impossible for me to forget sunscreen now. Although it’s a simple answer, the key is being able to apply it correctly.
Cooper Spa Dallas recommends wearing sunscreen with SPF 30-50 when in the sun, and reapplying it ever 2-4 hours following your first coat (as well as our Cooper Board Certified Dermatologist). When applying, make sure to use approximately two tablespoons worth of sunscreen on your entire body 30 minutes before going outside.
The key to full protection lies in the application of the sunscreen, making sure to fully cover your face, from your hairlines to your ears and lips. Follow these suggestions and your risk of sun damage this summer will plummet.
Self-Tanner
The desire to attain the perfect summer tan is a trend that has been around for decades and self-tanner is changing the game. For some, tanning is a summer ritual, laying out with music, friends or even a good read. While tanning leaves a temporary summer glow, it also leaves lasting skin damage.
Self-tanner gives you the glow you’ve been searching for without the harmful effects of UVA and UVB. UVA rays play a part in actively aging the skin while UVB rays burn the skin and cause skin cancer. Self-tanning is a healthy alternative to lathering yourself in tanning oil and baking in the sun.
SkinScopeLED
Cooper Spa Dallas recommends having an evaluation of your skin and current sun damage. Cooper Spa uses SkinScopeLED technology to take an in-depth look into the current state of your skin, pinpointing sun damage and giving you recommendations on how to better prevent further damage.
Having a SkinScopeLED evaluation is a unique way to understand the state of your skin and how to prevent future damage. Our Cooper Clinic Dermatology offers head-to-toe skin cancer screenings. Learning how to take better care of your skin to prevent disease is important to your health and quality of life, make sure that you know how.
Blog provided by Afton Guedea, Cooper Aerobics Marketing intern and Student at the University of Oklahoma.
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