Summer is Coming, is your Skin Care Routine Ready?
As summer approaches, many people are thinking about body and skin enhancing treatments that will help them look at feel their best. At Pacific Dermatology, we say Spring is the best time to start thinking about your dermatologic needs and how they may change as the weather heats up.
Your skin's needs actually change with the seasons. Some of the ways that you can protect and nourish the largest of all of your organs include:
- Use sunscreen as recommended. UV protection is important throughout the entire year. However, because you may spend more time outdoors, and may sweat more in the summer months, your use of sunscreen may change somewhat. Read the label and you may find that you need to apply more sunscreen more frequently than you may have thought. When outdoors, you need about 1 ounce applied to exposed areas not just once but two or three times a day.
- Use clothing to protect your skin. Especially when you are spending several hours in the garden or at the beach, your skin will be vulnerable to UV damage. In addition to your sunscreen, you can amp up protective measures by wearing sunglasses, a brimmed hat that shades the face, and unbleached cotton clothing, preferably a long-sleeved shirt.
- Load up on moisture and hydration, your skin needs both. Hydration is always important as it pertains to your skin, but even more so during warmer months. We are advised to drink at least 64 oz, or 8 glasses of water each day. In addition to hydrating on the inside, treat the surface of your skin with an appropriate moisturizer to keep it from drying out. Your SPF moisturizer doesn't count! Your skin will need something with nourishing ingredients such as antioxidants to fight the effects of UV rays and other summertime elements. If your normal moisturizer feels heavy, switch to a lighter formulation during the summer.
Need help preparing your skin for summer? Schedule a visit with your friendly dermatologist at Pacific Dermatology & Cosmetic Center. We have offices in Renton and Seattle to conveniently serve your aesthetic and dermatologic needs.
