YOUTHFUL SUMMER SKIN - HEALTH TIPS
There is much you can do to protect yourself and help keep your family's skin healthy. In fact, one of the most effective means may be the simplest: protect yourself against the sun. The sun remains a major cause of premature skin damage,
resulting in conditions such as dry skin, wrinkles and age spots or even melanoma.
No matter what your age, it's important to protect yourself from long-term
unprotected sun exposure. A few sun safe habits for you and the family will make
the world of difference to your overall skin heath.
- Avoid peak hours in the sunshine when possible. The sun's damaging UV rays are the strongest between 10 AM and 4 PM the peak hours for harmful ultraviolet (UV) raditation. Keep indoors or seek the shade during these hours.
- Apply sunscreen daily. Choose a sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor of at lease 30, follow the directions carefully while paying attention to the expiration dates. UV rays can pass through clouds and reflect off the sun, cement and even the snow. So be sure to wear sunscreen year round.
- Remember to apply to the areas we tend to miss such as ears, hands and feet.
Always re-apply sunscreen after swimming or boating.
- Stay away from old and outdated tanning beds. The spa and salons offer many options for those times when a tan is required. Usually, a hand held spray is used to coat the body with a spray-on mist that produces a temporary golden glow.
- Instill good sun protection habits in your children at an early age.
The damage that leads to adult skin cancer (melanoma) can start in childhood.
- Wear protective clothing. Wear wide brimmed hats, UV-blocking sunglasses and dark, tightly woven fabric to reduce exposure. Clothing specially designed to filter out sun should be considered an option if you simply cannot avoid the exposure.
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