Summer is one of the most popular seasons of the year. Bright sunlight and extended daylight hours can elevate your mood and help you accomplish more at every level. Most people also relish the hot weather as it allows them to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities.
The solar radiations can, however, have a detrimental impact on your skin. Common problems include:
Uneven pigmentation – Your skin produces a pigment known as melanin to protect itself from harmful rays of the sun. Many of you may, however, suffer from uneven pigmentation. The condition can worsen with time and lead to a reddish mottled appearance.
Age spots – You may also notice black or brown spots known as age spots on different parts of your skin. Although age spots are common in the elderly, prolonged exposure to sunlight can lead to age spots in younger individuals as well.
Wrinkles – Ultraviolet radiations of the sun breakdown the connective tissue in your skin and increase the risk of fine lines and wrinkles. You may also notice rough scaly patches on certain areas of your skin.
Preparing your skin ahead of time can significantly lower the risk of sun damage. You can take the following simple steps to give your skin some extra help.
Use Tanning Capsules
Tanning capsules consist of powerful antioxidants such as carotenoids, vitamin E and selenium. They help neutralize the harmful free radicals produced in your skin due to sun exposure. They also help you achieve a long-lasting, deep golden tan. You should start using tanning capsules about two weeks before the trip to the beach and should continue taking them for another two weeks after the trip.
Exfoliate Regularly
Exfoliation can help remove dead cells from the surface of your skin. It will help soften the skin and get back its natural glow. Begin with your feet and continue all the way up to your face. Remember that your facial skin is delicate when compared to the rest of the body. Use a relatively gentle exfoliating agent for the face.
Moisturize Your Skin
Exfoliation can make your skin dry and extra sensitive. Use a powerful moisturizer to hydrate every part of your body. Use a facial moisturizer for your face and neck. You should also drink at least 2 liters of water each day to keep your skin hydrated and healthy.
Train Your skin
Do not walk into the beach suddenly. Remember that your skin hasn’t been exposed to sunlight for a very long time. Give it some time to acclimatize to the hot weather. Gradual introduction to sunlight can help your skin to cope better.
Use Sun Screen
Use products with high sun protection factor, or SPF, before going to the beach. They will help protect your skin from harmful ultraviolet radiations of the sun. Go for a foundation with high SPF to protect your face. Do not forget about the lips. The skin on your lips is thin and sensitive. It will dry and chap quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is, therefore, important to apply a high SPF lip balm to protect the lips.
Diet
Certain foods can also protect you from the ultraviolet radiations of the sun. If you are planning to go to the beach this summer, prepare your skin by eating cooked tomatoes everyday. Tomatoes contain a powerful antioxidant called lycopene that can protect your skin from sun damage.
Citations:
- Photo taken from Flick with CC license. Author: spectraversa
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Ben Sawyer is online marketing consultant and an avid blogger. He lives with his family on Long Island, New York. When he is not working, he usually spends his free time with his women and their kids on a great family beaches on Long Island. Here are few health tips Ben and his wife shared about the preparing skin for the beach, based on their own experiences.