Summer means fun in the sun but it’s important to remember to stay hydrated and apply sunscreen regularly.
Summer’s here and it’s time to get out on the golf course, fire up the campfire, cheer for your favorite ball players and generally enjoy the outdoors.
Here in the upper Midwest, we spend our long winters pining for the joys and warmth of summer. Once the weather warms up it’s tempting to spend as much time as possible outdoors. We need time in the sun for Vitamin D production. It improves our mental health and can help regulate blood pressure. It also reduces the risk of hypertension. But a little bit goes a long way.
Before you expose your winter-sheltered skin to the heat of the sun, stop to make sure you’re taking good care of that essential organ.
Skin is the body’s largest organ. You need it to survive and it’s the first line of defense against pathogens, injuries and damage from the environment. It sweats to help regulate body temperature, blood flow, prevents dehydration and enables the sense of touch.
You need it to produce Vitamin D for bones and support your immune system. When you get too much sun, collagen, which makes up 30% of the body’s protein, starts to break down. Protein is the fundamental structure for bones, skin, muscles and ligaments. Giving them elasticity and resilience.
Getting too much sun causes you to age prematurely – who needs that! It allows pigment change and wrinkles, sunspots and a rough skin texture. It can increase the chances of skin cancer. One bad sunburn lasts much longer than you think. It’s also painful and can put your summer plans on hold.
The United States Food and Drug Administration recommends these tactics for protecting your skin when you’re getting some sun:
- Broad-Spectrum & SPF: Use sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher (30+ recommended) that protects against both UVA and UVB rays.
- Application: Apply 1 ounce (about a shot glass full) 20–30 minutes before going outside to allow it to form a protective barrier.
- Reapplication: Reapply at least every 2 hours, or immediately after swimming, sweating, or toweling off.
- Forgotten Areas: Do not forget to apply to ears, scalp (if hair is thin), lips, neck, tops of feet, and backs of hands.
- Expiration: Check expiration dates; most sunscreens are only effective for 1–2 years.
- Types: Mineral sunscreens (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) are effective for sensitive skin, while chemical sunscreens (avobenzone, oxybenzone) are also effective and safe.
Regular sunscreen application, staying hydrated and a seat in the shade will help keep you from that unfortunate lobster look we’ve all seen at the pool and beach. It will also ensure your skin stays healthy, so you do too!