Finesse Beauty & Wellness Medspa

Healthy Summer Skin: Don’t Forget SPF

Finesse beauty

Skin Deep

Beauty, we’re told, is only skin deep. While we all know that true beauty is a reflection of what’s inside, maintaining our outer beauty is important. We all want to look our best, and to radiate health and wellbeing. Our skin, which can be radiant or dull, plump or dehydrated, reflects our vitality.

Enjoying All Our Days

Living in an area with four distinct seasons is a gift through which we have the ability to enjoy nature in all her glory! Summertime – for which some of us live – is synonymous with sun, beach trips, and outdoor adventures. All of these adventures may leave us happy and fulfilled, creating wonderful moments and memories to enjoy, but they mean we have to pay extra attention to our skin, especially ensuring that we use SPF.

What IS SPF?

SPF, an acronym we hear frequently, stands for Sun Protection Factor. Most of us think that, if we use an SPF with a higher number (50 instead of 30), it means we can stay in the sun for a longer period of time. It doesn’t. SPF measures how much sun exposure is needed to burn skin that isn’t protected by sunscreen versus skin that is. The sun’s rays are most intense during the middle part of the day, usually from 10 AM to 4 PM. You might get a sunburn or sustain sun damage in 15 minutes during those hours as opposed to having the same amount of burn or damage an hour when the sun is shining with less intensity.

Prolonged, unprotected sun exposure contributes to sunburn, prematurely ages skin, and can cause skin cancer. To protect your skin, dermatologists recommend using a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays and has an SPF of at least 30.

Choosing The Right Sunscreen

Not all sunscreens provide the best protection for your skin. It’s important to choose sunscreens that:

  • Provide broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays
  • Have an SPF of 30 or higher
  • Are water resistant to help maintain protection if you’re swimming or sweating
  • Have ingredients with physical blockers like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide which are less likely to irritate skin

Application Tips

Proper application of sunscreen is just as important as choosing the right one. You should:

  • Apply generously –  at least one ounce (about a shot glass full) to cover your entire body
  • Reapply regularly – every two hours and after swimming or perspiring profusely
  • Make sure your ears, back of the neck, and tops of the feet are covered
  • Use lip balm containing SPF
  • Use SPF under makeup even if your foundation includes it

Additional Summer Skin Care Tips

While SPF is the cornerstone of summer skin care, there are other essential practices to keep your skin healthy:

 

  • Hydrate by drinking plenty of water and using a hydrating moisturizer
  • Wear protective clothing such as wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, long-sleeved shirts, or clothing with UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor)
  • Seek shade under umbrellas, trees, or tents whenever possible
  • Exfoliate to help remove dead skin cells and keep your skin smooth, but avoid over-exfoliating, which can make your skin more sensitive to the sun

Finesse Beauty & Wellness Medspa

Finesse Beauty & Wellness Medspa in Amherst, NY wants to help your skin stay healthy and youthful. In addition to recommending that you have a great summer skincare regimen, we offer numerous treatments to help keep you looking and feeling your best. Contact us for more information.

 

Disclaimer: The information contained here was not written by a medical doctor and is intended for informational purposes only. This is not a substitute for medical advice.