It’s summer – the weather is warm and the sun is bright. While fun in the sun is all well and good, it can come with unintended consequences for the skin. We’ve all been there – a fun day outdoors quickly turns into an uncomfortable evening when the dreaded sunburn appears. Many feel as though this is an unavoidable consequence of those sunny summer days, but that is not the case. With a proper summer skin care plan, many of the negative side effects of sun exposure can be lessened, if not prevented all together. It is important to keep this in mind, as the harmful effects of the sun can penetrate far beyond the skin’s surface, leading to serious health concerns. Check out these tips that will allow anyone to enjoy the summer while keeping the skin safe and healthy.
Use Sunscreen Daily
Although it may seem unnecessary, using sunscreen daily prevents individuals from getting sun burns and skin cancers, while also helping to keep each person’s skin younger and less likely to wrinkle. People who apply sunscreen on a daily basis are more likely to have younger and healthier looking skin. In fact, most people’s skin condition directly depends on the amount of sun exposure they have had as they get older. Another fact to take into consideration is that the sun’s rays are still strong even when it is not sunny. On a cloudy day, the sun’s rays are hitting you all the same, so make sure to lather up! Finally, skin damage by the sun is cumulative, so every time you expose your skin to the sun, it contributes to the possible damage at a cellular level.
Eat Well, Hydrate
Regardless of how you treat your skin, staying hydrated and following a healthy diet are very important in treating your body in a safe and healthy manner. A healthy diet will make you feel physically better, more alert and you’re less likely to have digestion issues. Plus, keeping a healthy diet can prevent illnesses. As we all know, we need water to survive, but what many people don’t know is the correct amount of water that they should be drinking per day and the benefits that come with it. Health authorities recommend everyone should drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day (which is about a half a gallon of water per day). Although this may seem like a lot of water to drink, the physical benefits of doing so make it all worthwhile. For starters, drinking a minimum half gallon of water per day can provide you with clearer, healthier looking skin. Water can also help control the calorie intake of an individual who is trying to lose weight.
Limit Exposure
As you already know, sun damage is cumulative, so the more exposure your skin gets, the more likely the sun is to damage your skin on a cellular level. With this in mind, it is each person’s duty to protect his or her own skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Even with the daily use of sunscreen, try to limit the amount of sun exposure received each day. Yes, it is true that the sun is the main source for humans to get their vitamin D, but overexposure to the sun is all too common. People only need to stand in the sun for about 10 minutes in a tank top and shorts to produce about 10,000 international units of vitamin D. With this in mind, cover up as much as you can and avoid sun exposure for long periods of time.
Use Facial Treatments
In order to truly protect the skin and rejuvenate it after sun exposure, it may be necessary to use a facial treatment. Facial treatments, such as the Murad Environmental Shield Vitamin C Facial from Massage Envy, reverse signs of aging from sun exposure as well as help protect the skin from current sun exposure. The Murad Environmental Shield delivers pure vitamin C directly to the skin and helps to make your skin brighten in color as well as supporting healthy collagen levels. The Shield also reduces unwanted skin pigmentations and can restore the elasticity and firmness of your skin. This summer, receive $10 off a healthy skin facial and also a free sample of our Murad facial treatment, a $21 value. Keep your skin fresh with Massage Envy!
By Mark Love
Mark Love is co-owner of Massage Envy Arizona. For more information on the benefits of massage, visit MassageEnvy.com.
For additional information or to schedule an appointment with a massage therapist or esthetician, visit massageenvy.com, call (928) 526-ENVY (3689), or visit one of Arizona’s 39 Massage Envy locations.
