Tips For Avoiding Sun Damage This Summer

Summer is an exciting time full of pool parties, all-day outdoor activities, and the beach—but it all comes at a cost to your skin. Although being in the sun feels good, the UV rays do damage that you can't see right away.

One of the most significant issues with sun exposure is skin cancer, but it also affects how your skin looks and feels. Spending all day in the sun isn't the best idea if you're trying to maintain a youthful appearance and glow.

However, you can follow some simple tips to keep your skin safe and looking its best. At SafiraMD Medical Aesthetics and Wellness Center, Dr. Andrea Volk and her team offer treatments to help reduce sun damage and restore a healthy glow.

Dr. Volk is a medical aesthetics specialist who provides tips to keep your skin healthy and offers laser treatments, microneedling, and chemical peels for skin you'll be proud to show off.

The sun and your skin

Being outside, especially in the summer, is a great way to stay physically active and get extra vitamin D. However, it can also damage your skin. We use photoaging to describe sun-damaged skin over time from long-term UVA and UVB exposure.

Skin damage from the sun occurs when it tries to protect itself from harmful radiation from the sun. The UVA and UVB rays penetrate your skin, causing premature aging and increasing the risk of skin cancer.

UVA rays penetrate all layers of skin, causing an increase in melanin production to absorb the harmful light. Your skin produces a suntan as a protective measure to avoid long-term damage. UVB rays are the main cause of skin cancer and also lead to premature signs of aging.

Sun damage comes in many forms, including sunburn and cosmetic changes. Other ways the sun damages your skin include:

• Loss of skin elasticity
• Uneven skin texture or color
• Thinning skin
• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Spider veins
• Red or rough, scaly skin
• Liver spots, age spots, freckles
• Lip lesions

The most dangerous form of sun damage is precancerous growths or melanoma development. The only way to avoid these changes is to take care of your skin and avoid long-term sun exposure.

Tips to avoid sun-damaged skin

The good news is that you can take simple steps to prevent most sun damage. You don't have to hide out inside all summer, but you should follow these steps when spending time outside this summer:

Wear sunscreen

The number one way to avoid wrinkles, fine lines, and skin cancer is to use sunscreen with SPF protection. When you're going to be outside, be sure to apply sunscreen all over exposed areas of the body and reapply every two hours.

Sunscreen works best when combined with other protective measures. Use an SPF of 15 or higher for continued protection and reapply after sweating or swimming.

Get in the shade

While lying in the sun may seem relaxing and enjoyable, it can permanently damage your skin. When outside this summer, enjoy the weather under a tree, umbrella, or other structure to avoid harmful UVA and UVB rays.

However, shade alone isn't enough. To stay safe in the sun, be sure to wear sunscreen and protective clothing.

Put on a hat

Your face is one of the main places sun damage occurs, causing wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots. Wearing a wide-brimmed hat is a great way to protect your face and add a little style to your summer outfits.

Wear sunglasses

Eyes are also at risk for sun damage, which is where sunglasses come into play. Prolonged sun exposure can lead to cataracts and damage to the delicate skin around the eyes. You can choose any style as long as it meets the standards of UVA and UVB protection.

Avoid the sun during peak times

Sun is most dangerous around peak times of the day. Stay out of the sun between ten and four to avoid skin damage. These are the times when the UVA and UVB rays are the strongest and can lead to severe skin damage.

Even with following these tips, you'll likely still notice some skin damage from sun exposure throughout your life. If you're unhappy with wrinkles, uneven skin tone, or other signs of aging, Dr. Volk offers various aesthetic procedures to renew your skin and reduce sun damage.

Call SafiraMD Medical Aesthetics and Wellness Center today to schedule a laser treatment for sun damage or request a consultation on the website.