Not too long ago, it was fashionable to have fair and pale skin. Then it became more popular to have a tan, and people started sunbathing to get that glow. If there’s no natural sunlight available, some people will seek out their nearest sunbed for their tanning fix. But, even though a tan might look great, it’s not healthy for your skin. Every time you tan, you damage your skin a little, and that’s without ever burning. Too much exposure to the sun can leave you looking older than your years, as well as increasing your risk of skin cancer. If you want to take better care of your skin, here’s how to protect and repair it from sun damage.
Staying Out of the Sun
Everyone loves a touch of sunshine, but the best way to protect your skin from its rays is to stay out of them. Instead of spending hours sunbathing, you should choose a shady spot when you’re relaxing outside. You can still enjoy the heat and fresh air, but it’s better to stay out of direct sunlight. If you don’t have a naturally shady spot, you can create one with an umbrella, beach shelter or whatever you can find. However, be wary of when you’re in direct sunlight. The sun can still affect you when you’re inside, if it’s cold but sunny or even on an overcast day.
Protecting Your Skin in the Sun
You can’t stay out of the sun all the time. Sometimes you need to walk around on a sunny day or you just feel like some vitamin D. So the next best thing is to protect your skin, as well as your eyes, when you’re out in the sunshine. Covering up is the first thing you should do, using your clothes and accessories such as hats. But when it’s hot, you don’t want to walk around in long sleeves and pants. Sunscreen is essential, but not everyone knows how to use it. You need to use the right sun protection factor for your skin and make sure you use it correctly. Follow the instructions on the bottle, so you know how much to apply and when you need to reapply it.
Repair Sun-damaged Skin
If you’ve noticed that your skin has been damaged by the sun, it’s not too late to fix it. The sun can cause wrinkles, brown spots or leathery-looking skin, but you can repair it to get more youthful skin back. You could use a skincare service to help you rejuvenate your skin with professional help, and there are also things you can do at home. Exfoliating will help you get rid of dead skin so that new and healthy cells can grow. Keeping your skin well-hydrated will help too, assisting it to produce new collagen to improve its texture and elasticity.
Don’t underestimate the effect that the sun can have on your skin. If you want to stay looking youthful, you should try to minimize the power it has over you. Keep out of the sun as often as possible and protect your skin when you’re outside.
