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How to Protect Skin

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How to Protect Skin

Learn how to protect skin and treat sunburns

 
The weather is really starting to heat up, which means a lot of us are heading outdoors to the beach. Everyone knows the importance of sun protection, but it seems like we all get burned once in a while. Sunburns are actually radiation burns, and really one of the most damaging things for your skin. Anytime you’re going to be outdoors you need to take the proper precautions—prevention is truly key.

Remember, you can get burned even on overcast days. Apply an SPF of at least 30 about 15-20 minutes before leaving the house, so that it has time to set in and work at its optimum performance. Don’t forget your ears and the back of your neck. Bring it with you, and reapply it every two hours.

As an esthetician, I always remind my clients to wear a hat and big sunglasses. This protects your eyes and scalp from getting burned. Some new sun protection products to try: Jane Iredale Powder-Me SPF Dry Sunscreen. It contains a calming clay that absorbs sweat and excess skin oils to keep your skin dry, essentially doubling as a face powder. Dermadoctor.com has come out with a breakthrough sunblock that transforms the sun’s rays into a beauty treatment for the skin. Check out Photodynamic Therapy SPF 30.

Don’t forget to protect your pout either, with a lip balm that has SPF. The lips are one of the most common places for skin cancer to begin.

Are you already lobster red? Here are some tips to get you through a painful sunburn ordeal:

• Take an ibuprofen or aspirin right away to reduce inflammation and pain.

• Take a cool bath (just slightly cooler than lukewarm temperature) and add a cup of distilled white vinegar. The acetic acid in the vinegar works with the acid mantle in your skin to soothe and moisturize sunburned skin. When you get out, gently pat yourself with a soft towel, and then let yourself air dry.

• Apply a thin layer of aloe gel (available at drugstores or health food stores). Make sure you choose a product that is clear, not green. Green aloes are not natural—they’re just colored. Keep the aloe in your fridge, and apply to sunburned areas every few hours.

• Wear soft, thin, loose-fitting, cotton clothing.

• If you’re really uncomfortable, buy some cortisone cream at the supermarket and apply it before bed.

• Drink plenty of fluids and stay hydrated. One of the best things to drink is iced green tea, which is carried at most supermarkets.

• Make sure to stay out of the sun for the next week, to give your skin time to heal.

• If you have someplace important to go, and your face is sunburned, it’s okay to wear mineral makeup. Mineral products allow the skin to breathe and don’t interfere with the healing process.
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@Lacey4:
This article is brill! just hoping we will have some more hot weather in the UK so i can use some of these tips lol :) This comment has been removed.
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@axamehr:
wow! This turned out to be really informative. The sunscreen sounds fascinating! Too bad I already got my burns and bad tans from too much exposure at uni :( On my toes to try these tips. Love xx This comment has been removed.
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@GoodFaith:
@courtney2bambi This sunscreen powder comes in several skintones, so it doubles as a makeup. I have put it on & gone on two hour hikes in the middle of the day. I come back & it looks perfect. That's not what would happen, if you wore a liquid foundation. The other product I mention, is a true breakthrough. It converts the sun rays into a virtual IPL treatment for your face. If you try these products, I'd love to hear your opinion. This comment has been removed.
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@courtney2bambi:
@GoodFaith Thanks for checking. I am always willing to pay a little bit more for good skincare products. Especially as I get older. ;) This comment has been removed.
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@carladarla:
Your articles are always the BEST of the BEST. Keep up the good work!!! This comment has been removed.
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@GoodFaith:
@rosie2939 Thanks Rosie for commenting on my sun protection article. Check out some of my other articles. Use the search bar and type: At home beauty. This comment has been removed.
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@rosie2939:
This article helps a lot and I learner some new things! Thanks! This comment has been removed.
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@juniejune:
This piece comes in handy, as I fried myself to a crisp yesterday. It's hard to find reliable information online. I know this is all good information, because you're a state board esthetician. I never heard of using white vinegar before, I'll have to give that a try. I guess I'll have to get some mineral makeup, because I have a meeting to go to tomorrow. I wasn't sure I could wear makeup, but now that I think of it, I have heard of mineral makeup being used after laser treatments. This comment has been removed.
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@ltlangie:
For years I was buying green aloe, thinking it was the real thing. BTW, excellent article. I am going on another vacation and I'm gonna print off a copy of this and take it with me. This comment has been removed.
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@GoodFaith:
@courtney2bambi I just looked it up & it's between $40-$45 online. Sorry. This comment has been removed.
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@GoodFaith:
@courtney2bambi It's about $30-& you get a lot of product for it. This comment has been removed.
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@courtney2bambi:
That dry sunscreen sounds interesting. Is it expensive? This comment has been removed.
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@DianneV.:
This is really a great article full of really helpful information. I can't tell you how many times I have burned the back of my neck. If skin cancer begins on the lips, I will definitely be wearing one that has a sunblock. I will also check out those two sunscreen products you mention. They sound super interesting. This comment has been removed.
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@vbeauty:
I love innovative skincare products! Thanks for the tip :) This comment has been removed.
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