I love the warmer months when I can go to the beach, swim in the pool, wear my pretty dresses, and wear sandals to show off my coloured toenails.  The summer months are nice for barbecues, yummy ice creams, and walking your fur babies.

 

As a beauty therapist, summer is a huge topic. The hot weather, sun, and wind have negative effects on the skin. The sun changes your skin, and the effects are many.

 

Hot weather increases water loss from our bodies leading to dehydration. We sweat more and produce more oil and that changes our skin from normal to oily. The skin is more prone to breakouts and congestion. With higher temperatures, we produce more oil and tend to have greasier skin.

 

We can treat skin concerns like oily skin with open pores, rough texture, or dry skin. With the correct products and treatments we can combat all of these, but the sun is the biggest concern we all face. I cannot stress enough how important it is to apply sun protection every day.

 

I remember how I used to sunbathe as a young girl. I simply wanted pretty, tanned skin and used to lie next to the pool or on the beach for hours in the summer holidays. I was lucky to learn at an early age to apply sunscreen, maybe I didn’t do it as often  as I should have, but I was definitely more aware of the negative effects of the sun than a lot of my friends.

 

On the other hand, my parents were not as aware of the negative effects of the sun when they were younger. I remember my dad came back from a dermatologist appointment and told me that the doctor was talking about “ the sins of youth” he had to burn or freeze off. (Of course, he was talking about the cancer spots on his skin)

 

It is really important to use sunscreen and protect my skin against the sun because I have seen how badly the sun affected my dad’s skin.

 

Sun also causes damage to the skin’s moisture barrier leading to a loss in elasticity, dryness, pigmentation and premature ageing.

 

What can we do to protect our skin?

 

Sun spots and damage are “the sins of youth” and should be prevented from an early age. It is important to apply sunscreen at an early age, so teach your children and grandchildren to get into the habit of applying it. That also goes for wearing a hat and appropriate sunglasses. Make sure you protect your whole body, including the feet.

 

Ten Tips to Protect your Skin from the Sun and Warmer Weather

1. Apply Sunscreen every day, even when you are working indoors or driving.
2. Use a good cleanser to get rid of excess oil.
3. Exfoliate your skin on regular basis. 
4. Apply moisturizers to help skin dryness
5. Spritzers are amazing on the skin, they not only hydrate but refresh the skin, set make-up, and so much more.
6. Use make-up with a sunblock
7. Mineral powder foundations are lightweight and won’t clog your pores and make your skin feel greasy.
8. A primer will make your foundation stay on longer.9
9. Waterproof mascara is better in hot, humid weather.
10. If you can afford a facial once a month, it will be one of the best things you can do for your skin. This will help with any decongestion and dryness on the skin.

 

More tips and advice on what and how to use products on your skin for protection against the sun and heat will follow in future blogs.