Summer is finally upon us, and the sun is welcoming us all outside. It’s tempting to rush to the nearest beach or pool and get our skin in the warm sunlight. However, the sun is not very kind to our skin. The sun emits harmful UV rays that can permanently damage your skin. UV damage is the leading cause of skin cancer and can cause painful sunburns. Thankfully, there are some ways to can enjoy your summer sun without being worried about sun damage. Let’s explore different must-haves this summer to prevent sun damage.
Sunscreen
This one might seem like a no-brainer, but it’s always good to spread the importance of sunscreen. Sunscreen is an important barrier for your skin against UV damage. This is especially true for anyone that has a light complexion. Lighter-skinned people have less melanin in their skin. Melanin is a natural part of all skin that mitigates UV damage and darkens the skin.
Sunscreen works differently depending on what material it’s made out of. Some material scatters the UV rays and reflects them elsewhere like a protective mirror. Other types of sunscreen will actually absorb the UV light to protect your skin. It’s best to wear at least a 30 SPF that has broadband protection.
Loose Concealing Clothing
If you’re trying to enjoy the sun without sunscreen, then it’s recommended that loose clothing be worn that covers as much skin as possible. This is to provide a physical barrier between any UV light and your skin while still remaining cool. However, it’s best to still wear sunscreen on any exposed skin.
Wide-Brimmed Hat
Wearing a wide-brimmed hat provides a physical barrier and shade to your face and neck. This is valuable if you want to enjoy some sunlight but don’t want to wear sunscreen. Wearing a large hat with concealing clothing can be an effective way to prevent sun damage without sunscreen. However, it’s best to just use both!
Keeping Your Skin Safe
Sun damage is bound to happen eventually. It’s incredibly easy to forget sunscreen or stay outside a bit longer than intended. Thankfully, our team at Dania Dermatology provides cosmetic treatments for sun damage and prioritizes skin cancer detection. Our staff prides themselves on offering the most recent and effective treatments for your cosmetic and skin care needs. Contact Dania Dermatology at 954-807-9433 so we can help you take the first step toward sun-damaged skin care.