Sunday, July 18, 2010

Summer summer summertime, time to sit back and unwind.


The sun is shining, the grill is hot, the mosquitos are biting, and you're finally wearing shorts (even though your legs are as white as the freshly driven snow). It's time to go outside and bask in the glorious sunshine. But not too much. Here's how to "sun" responsibly:

1. Wear sunscreen. I bet you saw that one coming, didn't you? Keep it handy for re-application, because a layer of sunscreen doesn't last forever. You'll want to reapply every few hours (more often if you're fair skinned). 

Acne prone skin: Fallene Face Cotz SPF 40
Super sensitive skin: Blue Lizard Sensitive SPF 30+

Check out this website, it rates sunscreen in a very helpful way, sorting by toxicity and level of UV protection.

2. Drink plenty of water. This may sound basic, but somehow water is the last thing most people want to drink on a nice hot day. Drink the damn water, people. It's important. Not only for proper functioning of your internal organs, but also because it makes your skin look all smooth & tight.

3. Ignore the old school talk about getting sun before 11 and after 3. It's best to get sun in the middle of the day, the longer wavelengths of the morning & afternoon promote malignant melanoma. That said, it's hotter in the middle of the day so limit your overall exposure time, and DON'T YOU DARE FORGET YOUR SPF.

4. Wear sunglasses. Protecting your eyes from the sun is absolutely essential. Make sure your sunglasses have UV protection, otherwise they can do more harm than good.

5. Get a spray tan. If you want to be tan, this is the best way to do it without damaging your skin. I recommend Fantasy Tan, which is what we use at the spa I work at. The color is very natural and the tan lasts longer than other brands. Don't do tanning beds, they only expose you to the most damaging of the UV rays without any of the benefits of real sun exposure. If you want a good bronzer for the face, try Dr. Hauschka Translucent Bronze Concentrate. You can mix it with your moisturizer or apply it to areas like cheekbones, nose, temples, above brows, and chin.

www.resurfaceskin.com