The skin produces the first signs of aging, and it is important to protect it as the summer approaches. A certain amount of exposure to the sun is good and produces such benefits as a healthier immune system, stronger bones, better sleep and simply better emotional health. However, healthy exposure is confined to only a few minutes per day before sunscreen should be used as a shield. Here are the top five reasons you should take special care of your skin this summer:
- Too much sun exposure can age skin. Over time, if the skin is burned over and over, it leads to a reduction in the skin’s elasticity and causes the skin to age prematurely.
- Burns hurt! And it can take up to two weeks for your skin to heal before you’re ready to go back outside and play. Since the summer lasts only a few months, make sure your skin is ready to go for pop-up events.
- Sunburn leads to sun poisoning. This type of illness produces flu-like symptoms and even swelling of the affected area. Not only do dangerous levels of exposure harm the surface of the skin, but it can also make you ill on the inside as well.
- It’s not just your skin that takes the heat from overexposure to the sun. Your eyes, nails, and lips can also feel the burn. Don’t forget to protect your cuticles with sunscreen, wear sunglasses and also choose lip balm with a sun protection factor (SPF).
- Overexposure to the sun can and often does cause skin cancer. Having pre-cancerous areas removed from the skin can leave scars. Worse, if these spots are cancerous, you can be in for long treatment plans and may even have to fight for your life.
The dangers of the sun’s rays can be in full effect in about 10 minutes. Make sure you’re covered. And if you’re already burned, let it heal completely before exposing it to the sun’s rays.
