Summer Skin Care Tips to Stop Skin Aging

The arrival of summer brings longer, sunnier days and lots of opportunities to enjoy the fresh air and beautiful weather. Here in Wisconsin where summers are short, we get outside as much as possible and enjoy it while we can! Whether you’re at the beach, the pool, a backyard barbecue or even just mowing the lawn or playing with the kids at the park, it’s important to remember to protect your skin from the summer sun.

Skin can be damaged with as little as 15 minutes of direct sun exposure. In addition, repeated or prolonged exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays increases your risk for skin cancers and the signs of aging. Thankfully, this skin damage is easily preventable as long as you protect yourself. We’ve compiled the best tips for summer skin care so you can have beautiful, glowy skin all season long. Keep these tips in mind, and go enjoy your summer before the cold weather is back again!

• Apply Sunscreen Daily
• Avoid Direct Sun
• Wear Sunglasses, Hats and Sun Protective Apparel
• Use Spray Tans and Sunless Tanners Instead of Tanning Beds
• Look at Your Medications
• Use Non-Comedogenic Skin Products
• Add Vitamin C to Your Skin Care
• Hydrate for Glowing Skin
• Check Your Skin for Early Aging

1. Apply Sunscreen Daily

Ideally, we want you to wear your sunscreen year-round, but in the summer it’s even more important with all that extra time spent outdoors. Start by choosing a broad spectrum sunscreen — to protect from both UVA and UVB rays — that has a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or above. If you’ll be swimming or sweating, be sure your formula is also listed as water-resistant. Using sunscreen properly is one of the easiest ways to protect your skin this summer and prevent skin cancers or signs of premature aging.

Be sure to apply your sunscreen every day, and follow these easy tips:

• Use sunscreen before going outdoors: It can take up to 15 minutes for sunscreen to be absorbed into the skin. Apply your sunscreen before you leave the house for the best protection.
• Apply under makeup products: While many foundations and mineral makeups have some built-in SPF protection, it’s best to apply a regular sunscreen before any other cosmetic products.
• Cover all exposed skin: Be sure any exposed skin gets sunscreen coverage, and be mindful of easily forgotten areas like the tops of your ears and your hair part. Ask for help with any hard-to-reach spots, too. For proper full-body coverage, most adults should use about one ounce of sunscreen. Picture a shot glass for the right amount.
• Use SPF lip balm: Your lips need protection too, so don’t forget to use a lip balm with built-in SPF.
• Reapply every two hours: This tip is often neglected, but important to remember. Sunscreen wears off after approximately two hours — or more often if swimming or heavily sweating — and needs to be reapplied. Make sure to bring your sunscreen with you on your summer adventures and keep applying as often as needed.
• Check for expiration dates: Most sunscreens lose their effectiveness after about a year. Check your labels for expiration dates, and don’t rely on sunscreens that are more than a year old.

We love the sun care products from EltaMD, which provide broad spectrum sun protection that reduces the chances of sunburns, skin cancer and visible signs of aging. These products use zinc oxide instead of chemicals and are considered reef-safe. You can find these dermatologist-quality sun care products at our clinic.

2. Avoid Direct Sun

Direct sunlight is the most damaging to your skin, which is why it’s important to avoid it during the hottest months. When direct sunlight is unavoidable, here are a few tips to keep your skin safe:

• Plan outdoor activities wisely: The sun’s rays are the strongest between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. If possible, try to plan your outdoor activities for early morning or later in the afternoon and evening, and head inside during this more dangerous time. If you must be outside during peak sunlight, try to use the shade from a tree, umbrella or other shelter to protect yourself from the sun.
• Find some shade: If you’re relying on shade as sun protection, it’s important to note that not all shade provides equal coverage, and you’re not 100% protected in the shade either. Trees with swaying leaves can still allow some small rays through, and the shade can shift as the sunlight changes throughout the day. You’ll need to move your position to stay in the shade and keep your skin protected.
• Take cover under an umbrella or awning: If you’re using an umbrella, be sure the fabric is rated with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of 30 or higher. Dense protection from a covered porch or a thick stand of trees is best, as opposed to a single tree. UV rays can also refract and bounce off of other surfaces, so it’s possible to get some sun exposure even when sitting in full shade. For full protection, wear sunscreen even if you plan on being in the shade!

3. Wear Sunglasses, Hats and Sun Protective Apparel for Full Coverage

Don’t forget to protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful rays, too. The delicate skin tissue around the eyes can be prone to skin cancer and sun damage, as it’s difficult to use sunscreen in this area. Sunglasses are the best way to safeguard your eyes, eyelids and the surrounding skin.

Be sure the sunglasses you wear have both UVA and UVB protection, as this helps to prevent cataracts and macular degeneration. Wearing sunglasses also reduces the need to squint, which improves your vision and prevents fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes.

Baseball caps and wide-brimmed hats offer some shade and sun protection for your face as well. A sun hat or other wide-brimmed hat protects the skin on the face, ears and neck. If you choose to wear a baseball cap, remember to use sunscreen on your ears and neck, as the hat doesn’t cover these areas.

Sun protective clothing makes it easy to stay protected. At Rejuvenation Clinic, we love the clothing lines at Coolibar and proudly feature their sun care apparel. These special apparel lines use fabric blends and embedded minerals to block the sun’s harmful rays. You can choose from stylish hats and clothing options to build a protective and fashionable outfit.

4. Use Spray Tans and Sunless Tanners Instead of Tanning Beds

It’s a common misconception that tanning beds are safer than the UV exposure you get from the sun. However, tanning beds are not a safe alternative. They expose you to the same harmful UV radiation that you’d get from direct sunlight. Premature aging from tanning beds is common, as well as skin cancers like melanoma — the most dangerous form of skin cancer. In fact, your risk of developing melanoma increases by 75% after just one tanning bed session, and the damage is cumulative with more sessions.

Tanning beds are dangerous and should be avoided completely. But many people still like the glow of tanned skin. Sunless tanner is an easy-to-use alternative and one of the best tips for glowing skin in the summer. Whether applied professionally or at home as a lotion, cream or spray, sunless tanners work by temporarily darkening the skin with dihydroxyacetone (DHA).

The effect should last a few days and can be reapplied to keep that summer glow all season long. It’s helpful to exfoliate before self-tanning and to be aware of joints or areas of dry skin to avoid uneven coloring. Also note that self-tanning treatments do not replace sunscreen, and you will still need to apply sunscreen when spending time in the sun.

For a quality alternative to self-tanning lotions, consider a professional spray tan. At Rejuvenation Clinic, we use the Fantasy Tan system to offer professional airbrush spray tan services. With a selection of more than 25 natural-looking shades, we can find the right color to give you a realistic summer glow.

5. Look at Your Medications

Common medications taken for a wide variety of ailments can be a surprising culprit in speeding up sun damage. These medications are known to have a sun-sensitizing effect in some people, causing a reaction on the skin. Sun sensitivity can be caused by medications that are applied topically or taken orally. When this happens, the drug and UV light react with each other, either changing the structure of the drug or intensifying the UV light and damaging the skin. Rashes, burns and increased sun damage are all common with sun-sensitive drugs.

The most common sun-sensitive medications include:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen
• The heart medication, amiodarone
• Tetracyclines typically used for moderate to severe acne

There are also many other drugs with a potential for a reaction, including:

• Antibiotics
• Sulfonamides
• Antidepressants
• Chemotherapy drugs
• Benzocaine
• Cholesterol drugs

If you regularly take medications — whether prescription or over the counter — it’s best to check the labels for sun-sensitivity warnings. While taking any of these drugs, take extra care to stay out of the sun or protect yourself with sunscreen and clothing when outdoors.

6. Use Non-Comedogenic Skin Products

One of the best skin care tips in summer is to use non-comedogenic products. Some skincare products and cosmetics contain oils and other ingredients that clog pores, leading to acne and unsightly blemishes. Non-comedogenic skincare products do not use ingredients known to clog pores. There is a scale for the comedogenic factor of skincare products rated from zero to five. Any product rated two and under is considered non-comedogenic, although the ratings are not standardized.

In the summer, sweating and extra sunscreen can create an oiliness on the skin. That’s why it’s important to use non-comedogenic products during this time — especially if you have acne-prone or naturally oily skin. Look for skincare and cosmetic products labeled as non-comedogenic, or ask your dermatologist for advice on which products are best for your skin.

At Rejuvenation Clinic of Sauk Prairie, we are proud to carry our very own line of professional, medical-grade skincare products. These proprietary formulas are created to be non-allergenic and non-irritating to give you the results you want for your skin. Check out the full Natural Beauty by RC line at the clinic on your next visit. We also have Jane Iredale cosmetic products available at the clinic. This popular makeup brand uses clean and simple ingredients that are good for the skin. For tips on how to stop your skin from aging, ask our clinicians about our brand new anti-aging line!

7. Add Vitamin C to Your Skin Care

Vitamin C is a vital nutrient for overall health, but our bodies don’t produce it. We need to find vitamin C in foods and supplements to help aid cell repair and boost our antioxidant levels. Oranges and other citrus fruits are famously known for their high vitamin C content. For the skin, applying vitamin C in topical form is an easier and more potent delivery method than dietary sources.

Vitamin C is a miracle worker for your skin. It helps to promote cell turnover and collagen production, reduce fine lines and fight the damage done by UV rays, among other benefits. Adding a vitamin C serum to your regimen is one of the best summer beauty tips to help repair damage from the sun and skin aging. Choose a high-quality vitamin C serum and apply it every morning after cleansing the skin. Wear it under your moisturizer and sunscreen for best results.

8. Hydrate for Glowing Skin

Proper hydration is essential for a healthy body, and especially for healthy skin. We know we need to moisturize, but hydration goes beyond using lotion. Many moisturizers sit on the surface of the skin — acting as a barrier to keep moisture locked in — but they don’t add moisture or rehydrate dry skin.

Some types of moisturizers have ingredients called humectants that draw in moisture from the surrounding environment to help rehydrate the skin. This summer, add in a hydrating product or look for a skincare product that has both moisturizers and humectants.

For professional-level facial hydration, try HydraFacial MD at Rejuvenation Clinic. This facial treatment cleanses, exfoliates and hydrates — all in a relaxing, spa-like procedure. Get rid of old, dead skin cells and hydrate your skin for a beautiful, youthful glow with this skin treatment.

Beyond using the right skincare products and treatments, it’s also essential to hydrate from within. Your skin is an organ, which means it’s largely made up of water. Your body loses large quantities of water each summer day, so it’s important to keep rehydrating by drinking water. If the skin is not properly hydrated from within, it can quickly become dry, flaky and tight and show fine lines, wrinkles and other signs of aging. Drink at least 8 cups of water every day to keep your skin looking young and glowy all summer long.

9. Check Your Skin for Early Aging

No matter how diligent you are about sun protection, signs of aging are bound to show up as you get older. Sometimes these signs show up earlier than you’d like. When you catch these signs quickly, there are treatments to help reduce and stop early aging.

Here are some common signs to identify early aging:

• Fine lines, wrinkles or sagging skin: These classic signs of aging show up as our bodies slow down in collagen production. Collagen is what keeps the skin looking plump, so a reduction in collagen makes the skin less resilient and increases wrinkle visibility.
• Sunspots: Also called age spots, these darkened areas of skin are the result of extended sun exposure over the years. Sunspots are common on the face, hands and arms and typically show up after age 40. Patchy spots on the chest are also common.
• Dry, itchy skin: As skin ages, it tends to thin out and become more susceptible to dehydration. Dry skin can also be flaky and itchy.
• Thinning lips and gaunt hands: As we age, our skin loses collagen and thins out, the lips can lose their plump look and hands can start to look crepey, veiny or gaunt.

If you notice any of these signs of early aging, see the knowledgeable clinicians at Rejuvenation Clinic for recommendations on treatments that can help.

Summer Skin Care at Rejuvenation Clinic of Sauk Prairie

At Rejuvenation Clinic of Sauk Prairie, we have a wide variety of skin care treatments to choose from, all in a relaxing, spa-like atmosphere. Our procedures are non-surgical and non-invasive and can help you achieve the natural results you want. Our clinicians will work with you to create an affordable, customized skin care plan designed for your summer needs.

Call 608-434-6600 or contact us online today to schedule your free consultation and get started on your skin care plan!