Skin care is important year round. However, the summer heat and sun can take a particular toll on your skin’s beauty and health in the form of sunburn, redness and age spots. Before soaking up the sun, read the following summer skin care tips from Dr. Sean Maguire of Physician’s Center for Beauty.
Be Smart about Sunscreen
Wear the right sunscreen. Broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 and higher protects from both UVA and UVB rays.
Reapply sunscreen every two hours. Or, reapply your sunscreen according to your sunscreen bottle’s instructions.
Check your sunscreen’s expiration date. If you cannot find an expiration date on the bottle, throw the sunscreen out after three years.
Don’t forget your hands and lips. The delicate skin on your hands and lips is also susceptible to sun damage. For your lips, use a lip balm with an SPF of 15.
Cover Yourself
Seek shade. Try to avoid the sun during peak hours (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.).
Avoid tanning beds. Research shows that one indoor tanning session can increase your risk of developing skin cancer.
Wear sunglasses. Use a pair that offers 100 percent UV protection. Wraparound sunglasses can protect the delicate skin around the eyes.
Wear a broad-brimmed hat and protective clothing like long sleeved shirts and pants when possible.
Make Friends with Water
Drink plenty of water. Aim to drink eight glasses of water a day
Avoid or limit caffeine. Coffee and other caffeinated drinks can dry out the skin.
Avoid hot showers, especially after spending time out in the sun and in a pool.
Follow a Good Skin Care Regimen
Exfoliate two to three times a week. Exfoliating with a gentle scrub can slough away dead skin cells and make way for healthy ones.
Upgrade your skin care products. Not sure which skin care products are best for you? Dr. Maguire and his skin care team can help you select the products that are most appropriate for you based on your skin type and needs.
Seek professional help. If you need help restoring the radiant glow of your skin, Dr. Maguire offers a wide range of skin care treatments including laser skin resurfacing and microdermabrasion.
To learn about your skin care treatment options, please call Physician’s Center for Beauty at (507) 897-7546.
