How to Protect Your Skin in Summer?
Our skin is very vulnerable to heat and sun. It is our largest organ and, in summer, requires more intensive care than the rest of the year to safeguard its health. High temperatures can lead to dehydration of the body and skin.
Although most of us enjoy sunbathing for hours and exposing our skin to the sun during the hot months, things are not as innocent as they seem, and we can suffer severe consequences just from wanting to add some bronze shine. Let's discover the best tips to protect your skin in summer!
What Happens to the Skin in Summer?
Our bodies respond to heat with sweating. The excess humidity can lead to infections and dermatitis (mainly in areas with folds and excess fat). Extended exposure to the sun increases the risk of developing melanoma or skin cancer, which is one of the most malicious types of cancer and is extremely difficult to treat.
Besides the hazardous effects of the sun on our skin that could lead to catastrophic skin conditions and illnesses, the heat can also affect our skin's appearance and lead to premature aging.
In addition, burnt skin ages fast, increasing the appearance of wrinkles and damaging its elasticity. Loss of moisture causes dry, rough, and flaky skin, so it is essential to protect it and prevent dehydration of the cells from the deeper layers. Increased temperatures worldwide are endangering the skin health of millions of people, and it is extremely important to learn to prevent serious consequences.
How to Protect Your Skin in Summer?
Cleansing and moisturizing are two key skin care tips in summer, but it is also crucial to protect the skin from ultraviolet radiation coming directly from the sun. Here we are going to summarize the basic care that your skin deserves in summer:
Cleansing - The first tip to protect your skin in the summer months is to take a shower first thing in the morning, or every time we perform an activity that results in increased perspiration. Hygiene is a priority to prevent various problems such as dehydration, erythema, or infections.
Hydration - Drink between 2 and 2.5 liters a day during summer help avoid dehydration. The hydration our body needs doesn't only come from water but also fruits and veggies such as cucumbers, zucchini, watermelon, melon, leafy greens, and citric fruits abundant in liquid nutrients.
Another essential skin hydration tip is to use moisturizing cream after every shower, before bed, and after sunbathing. The driest areas of the body are the knees, elbows, and heels, so don't forget to pay special attention to these parts.
Sun protection - A good sunscreen is essential to take care of the skin in summer. Not only because it prevents sunburn, but it also stops the appearance of melanomas over time. The skin gradually gets that brownish hue, so you should use products with high protection at the beginning and then reduce the degree of protection as the skin darkens. Be sure to apply it just before going to the pool or the beach, and do it after every swim or every two hours.
Limited sunbathing - Sun exposure should not exceed 30 minutes a day. You should avoid the hours when ultraviolet radiation is strongest, usually from 12:00pm to 5:00pm. As we have mentioned, do not forget to use sunscreen to protect the skin in summer and a moisturizer to reactivate its natural humidity.
Fresh fruits and vegetables - Another tip to protect the skin in summer is to take care of your diet to the maximum; the summer diet has to be largely composed of fresh fruits and veggies to hydrate the body and the skin. Besides drinking a lot of water, you can also include sugar-free iced teas to help you decrease your body's temperature.
Sweating - Sweating appears with high temperatures, although it is possible to control it by using natural fibers, light colors, and comfortable clothing. These clothes allow air to circulate freely inside and repel solar radiation. The same applies to footwear, use quality shoes that allow airflow and perspiration. When sweating excessively, it is advisable to clean the skin with a refreshing shower and dry the area afterward.
Final Word
Skin is our body's largest organ, and it requires constant and adequate protection, especially during the summer months.
Heat and excessive sunbathing can severely damage the skin and cause discolorations, melanomas, and the formation of cancerous cells.
Hydration and proper skin care are the two key tips to follow for skin protection during summer, as well as frequent showers, a fruit and veggie-rich diet, and as much water as you can take.