Protecting Your Skin from the Sun
With the summer months quickly approaching, you are probably looking forward to time on the beach or walking in the park. These are undoubtedly fun activities, but remember that you will be exposing yourself to the sun for long periods of time. If you are not careful, you could damage your skin beyond just a painful sunburn. Too much exposure to the sun can result in skin cancer and other serious afflictions. A dermatologist in San Francisco and elsewhere can tell you that these tips will help you protect your skin from the harsh sun, and it will remain healthy for as long as possible.
Use Sunscreen
Perhaps the most obvious tip on this list is to use some kind of sunscreen lotion to protect your skin against the sun’s rays. Choose one that has an SPF rating of at least 15, although most dermatologists recommend 30 or higher. This number should be higher depending on your skin type; those with fair skin will definitely want to follow the 30 or higher guideline. Make sure that your sunscreen offers both UVA and UVB protection for the best results. If you plan on swimming, try to find one that is water-resistant to avoid having to reapply so often.
Make sure to cover your face completely and liberally with the sunscreen, and include your ears, shoulders, and back. It is easy to overlook some of those areas, and you may end up regretting it.
Get in the Shade
While you’re out having fun in the sun, make sure to give yourself a break every once in a while. The sunlight is most intense between 10 AM and 4 PM, so during these times, seek shade if you have to be outside at all. This can include a tree, a beach umbrella, or even just going inside completely.
Wear Protective Clothing
Obviously, no one expects you to dress in a full bodysuit to go outside in the summer, but you should cover yourself as much as reasonably possible. Wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your head, neck and shoulders. Sunglasses will help keep your eyes from being damaged by reflected sun rays. There are some laundry detergents that have additives that give increased protection from ultraviolet rays, so look into those as well.
These are just a few tips for protecting yourself against the sun while you have fun outside in the summertime. However, things do happen from time to time, and if you find yourself with severe sunburn or some other skin affliction caused by the sun’s rays, don’t hesitate to contact a dermatologist in San Francisco right away to find out what can be done to help your skin be healthy again.
Disclaimer: We are unable to guarantee any result, even though most of our patients do see success. The results of our services will vary greatly to each patient’s level of commitment and compliance with the program.
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