Spring Break is upon us. Here comes the sun, temperatures in the 80s and the showcase of beach bods. Before you hit the waves, take care of your skin. Whether you’re 21 or 51, skin care should always be on your mind when you’re going to be spending longer periods of time outdoors. Here are some tips and other pieces of information to keep in mind:
- The sun’s rays are the strongest between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. The best preparation for the sun during Spring Break is an SPF30 broad spectrum protection. It should be applied every 80 minutes, because no SPF is waterproof.
- If you are prone to hyperpigmentation and discoloration, sun exposure can excite excess melanin production causing your discoloration to worsen. Limit sun exposure and protect your skin with a hat and SPF. Avoid long periods of sun exposure to reduce a reoccurrence.
Excessive sweating due to outdoor activities can cause congestion to block the pores to the skin leading to blackheads and milia, especially on the hairline. Use a salicylic acid-based cleanser and Benzoil Peroxide as a spot treatment to kill bacteria. - Over-the-counter products are not regulated by the FDA, so they are not aggressive enough to go down to a cellular level to treat most skin care conditions. They can only target the surface of the skin. Pharmaceutical grade products are regulated by FDA and work at a cellular level to target skin concerns, such as wrinkles and discoloration.
Don’t think just because you’re in the shade that you won’t burn or your skin won’t be affected. Protect the skin you’re in, because you’ll have it for a lifetime.
