Keeping Skin Safe in Summer

Our skin is the largest single organ we have, and it serves a vital function. As a physical barrier, our skin protects our bodies from harm. Our skin also allows our bodies to retain moisture while helping to maintain a normal body temperature. Unfortunately, our skin isn’t infallible. It’s actually quite sensitive to the UV radiation produced by our Sun. That's why we put together this guide to keeping skin safe in summer.

Keeping Skin Safe in Summer

In order to keep your skin in the best possible condition, you have to actively protect it all year round. During the summer, keeping your skin safe is even more important because we tend to spend more hours outside with more of our skin exposed than at other times during the year. The good news is it really isn’t that hard to give your skin the protection it needs. Here are four easy ways you can keep your skin safe during the summer months.

Apply Sunscreen Liberally and Reapply Often

In order to protect your skin from the Sun’s radiation, you should be applying at least one ounce of sunscreen to your body at least twenty minutes before going outside. You should use SPF 30 or higher for the best results. Reapply your sunscreen every two hours, especially if you’ve been active or in the water. Whenever you apply sunscreen, you should spread your sunscreen under clothing lines wherever possible. This application approach will ensure that your skin is protected even when your clothing moves around.

Wear a Wide-Brimmed Hat

The skin on our face and the back of our neck tends to be more sensitive to sun damage, so sunscreen alone isn’t always enough. To be safe, it is always better to wear a wide-brimmed hat that shades both your face and neck. Fortunately, there are a lot of options in this category from your standard cowboy hat to a fashionable wide-brimmed hat reminiscent of Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. With a little searching, you’re sure to find a hat that fits your personal style.

Avoid Peak Hours

Certain times of day put you at higher risk for sun damage. For most of the country, those hours are between 1 and 4 PM during the summer months. Luckily, there’s an easy way to tell if you should probably go back inside. Have a quick look at your shadow. If it’s shorter than you are, then the Sun is near its peak.

Wear Protective Clothing When Possible

Several companies actually make clothing that is designed to block the Sun’s radiation. For added protection, you can throw on a couple of these items when you know you’re going to be out for a long period of time. Wearing protective clothing reduces the chance of an accidental burn if you forget to reapply at set intervals. To find clothing that protects against the sun, just look for clothing labeled UPF 50. You’ll usually find them in your local sporting goods store, but you can also find quality items online as long as you’re careful.

Addressing Existing Damage

Unfortunately, these tips won’t do you a lot of good if you’re looking to reverse existing sun damage. For that you’ll have to meet with your local plastic surgeon at Tampa plastic surgery. Depending on the extent of the damage, your Tampa plastic surgeon will have a range of treatment options available to you, ranging from topical treatments to laser skin resurfacing. Your plastic surgeon will talk you through the benefits and recovery details of each practical option until you find the right fit for you and your skin.