Ten Tips To Stay Safe In The Sun This Spring Break
1/10Wear sunglasses that completely cover the eye area. This step, plus wearing sunscreen, work best to prevent wrinkles, or "crow's feet," in that area.
2/10Apply sunscreen all the way to the outer corners of the face, including the hairline and ears. Poor application technique can lead to skin cancer and pre-cancers occurring in those areas.
3/10Sunscreen should be worn 365 days a year! The key is finding a sunscreen you love, so that you'll continue to reapply it throughout the day. It's a misconception that all sunscreens clog pores and leave a sticky residue. I would recommend looking for an oil-free formula.
4/10It's important to always apply sunscreen on the lips since they have no ability to tan. Skin cancers occur on the lips and can be dangerous.
5/10A classic error in sunscreen application is not using enough. To be truly protected, use a lot of sunscreen-about 2-4 ounces to cover your face and body, depending on your size. Reapply every 3-4 hours and immediately after heavy perspiration or swimming.
6/10Pinkness is actually a sign of a little burn. Skin that is chronically pinkened by the sun may also be undergoing mutation in its DNA, which is associated with all types of skin cancers. Areas that stay pink permanently mean that they have lost many of their melanocytes and therefore require either more frequent sunscreen application or a higher SPF than the one you are using everywhere else.
7/10Research shows that a substantial amount of premature aging comes from incidental sun exposure that we're unaware of, such as when we're out shopping or grabbing lunch. Wearing sunscreen every day will help to prevent the signs of premature aging. Get in the habit of wearing sunscreen with an SPF level of 15 or higher every day, even in the winter and during times when you're not planning on spending a lot of time outdoors.
8/10Make sure you keep your body hydrated and always cover up with a hat, sunglasses, and some type of clothing. If you have to be in the sun, try to avoid the hours between 10AM and 2PM because that's when the sun's rays are the strongest. If you must be in the sun during these hours, I recommend taking short breaks so the exposure is not continuous and ongoing. After sun exposure, try my Active Vitamin D Serum-Oil for rehydration.
9/10It's not necessary to use a different formula for the face versus the body, but sun protection must be applied before any other product, such as body lotion. The defensive ingredients in sunscreen need to cling directly to the skin in order to be most effective.
10/10There's a common misconception that it's OK to apply sunscreen when you're already in the sun. However, sunscreen should be applied 15 to 20 minutes prior to going outdoors. Application in the sun leaves you exposed for more time than you realize. It's also very important to re-apply anytime you get out of the water (even if you are using a water-resistant formula) and continuously re-apply throughout the course of the day, especially if you are sweating.
